UNIT 12

UNIT 12

1. Adverbs and Word order

   • In general, we form adverbs by adding the ending -ly to the adjective
     • She spoke encouragingly about his job prospects
   • There are some adjectives which keep the same form when they become adverbs. Examples include: fast, hard, late, long and straight
     • She thought about the decision long and hard
   • When an adjective already ends in -ly, we have to use a phrase such as in a... way or in a...manner
     • He spoke in a lively way
   • Notice that the adverb hardly means something different from the adverb hard
     • He hardly works. He works hard
   • Adjectives such as daily, weekly, monthly which describe frequency can be used as adverbs or in the phrase "on a... basis"
     • The committee meets monthly. OR The committee meets on a monthly basis

2. Adverbials

   • Commenting adverbs
     • Commenting adverbs are used by a speaker to say what they think about a particular idea, rather than to qualify an individual verb. Generally they take a front position- if not at the beginning, then near the beginning of the sentence
       • It is, sadly, the last time she will perform in Europe.
   • Connecting adverbs
     • Connecting adverbs are those which serve to link two sentences by showing a time connection, a contrast between ideas, a causal connection, or by introducing an additional point. Like comment adverbs, these adverbs have a front position
       • It was a plan with only a limited chance of success. Nevertheless, they went ahead with it.
   • Adverbial phrases
     • Commenting adverbs and connecting adverbs can come in the form of phrases as well as single words. Such phrases are put at the beginning of the sentence
       • To my surprise, no one asked to see my passport or identity documents.

3. Position of adverbs

   • Adverbs of frequency go directly before the main verb or directly after the verb be. They can also go at the beginning of the sentencefor greater emphasis
     • Branded goods are usually more expensive than goods with no brand
   • Adverbs of degree and adverbs of probability also generally come before the main verb or directly after the verb be
     • We are absolutely committed to making this work
   • Adverbs of manner stay close to the verb they qualify, either coming just before the main verb or after the verb and its direct object. They never come between the verb and it direct object
     • Please, tell me honestly what you think
   • Adverbs which qualify an adjective go directly before the adjective. The only exception is enough
     • They are a highly skilled team

4. Word order with more than one adverb

   • When there is more than one adverb or adverbial phrase in a sentence, adverbs generally follow this order: manner, place, time. It is possible in some cases to put the time adverb at the beginning of a sentence
     • She lives happily in New Jersey with her husband and three children

5. Focus adverbs (movable position)

   • Only and even are placed in different positions in a sentence according to where the speaker or writer wishes to put the focus. The position changes the meaning
     • Even she can ski backwards even down steep slopes