adverb

Language

2022

We explain what an adverb is, the types that exist, their characteristics and examples. Also, sentences with adverbs.

Adverbs are usually part of the predicate.

What is an adverb?

An adverb (from the Latin ad- + verbum, which means: "next to the verb") is a type of word whose syntactic function (that is, its function within the prayer) is to modify or complement a verb, still adjective, to another adverb or, on certain occasions, to a whole sentence. Its operation is similar to that of the adjective, but the adverb is invariable: it does not change its gender or number. For example: little, outside, happily, yesterday, no.

Adverbs express circumstances and offer more information about the mode, time or place in which the action takes place, and they answer questions such as when? where? What? how? They can also function as modifiers of an adjective or another adverb when indicating degree. For example: The mall will open its doors tomorrow (the adverb of time "tomorrow" modifies the verb of the sentence) or The play presented by the actors is very good (The adverb "very" modifies the adjective "good").

Although it is possible to find them by modifying adjectives in the subject, adverbs are usually in the predicate of a sentence. This class of words form adverbial phrases, that is, sentence fragments that are formed only by an adverb or by an adverbial phrase.

Characteristics of adverbs

Some of the main characteristics of adverbs are:

  • They are invariable words. Adverbs do not vary in gender or number, so they always keep the same form. This distinguishes them from adjectives, which do vary in gender and number to agree with the subject they accompany, which is usually a noun. For example: They are (adjective) / They walk quietly. (adverb)
  • They have two main functions. Adverbs, on the one hand, provide information about the action that is taking place (such as place, time, mode) and function as circumstantial complements. For example: We should look for parking around here. On the other hand, they complement adjectives and other adverbs. For example: We are very
  • They are classified according to the type of information they provide. Adverbs can be of place, of time, so, denial, affirmation, exclamation mark, question mark, among others.
  • They have graduations. Adverbs, like adjectives, show different degrees, and can denote equality, superiority or inferiority between two elements. For example: There is a long way to go.
  • They can be made up of one or more words. Adverbs can be simple or be adverbial phrases, which are phrases that fulfill the function of an adverb. For example: I will explain the contract point by point.

Types of adverbs and examples

Spanish adverbs are classified based on two criteria:

  • Situational adverbs. They are those that express the specific circumstance in which the action of the verb of the sentence occurs. They may be:
    • Adverbs of place. They pose a spatial relationship with what happened and answer the question, where? For example: here, there, there, there, here, up, down, near, far, together, behind, in front, forward, around, in front.
    • Time adverbs. They present the temporal information of the event and answer the question, when? For example: now, while, before, after, soon, later, late, early, yesterday, today, tomorrow, last night, always, never, yet, still, soon, soon.
    • Adverbs of manner. They indicate the specific way in which something has been done and answer the question how? or in what way? For example: bad, regular, good, slow, fast, fast, slowly, well, better, alone, worse and many of the words ending with mind, like wonderfully, faithfully, tremendously, hard, kindly.
    • Quantity adverbs. They indicate the providedn or quantity of something and they answer the question, how much? For example: more, less, very, little, much, quite, so, somewhat, so much, nothing, approximately.
  • Epistemic adverbs. They are those that appeal to the receiver or print a certain meaning to what has been said, more linked to the sender than to the circumstances of what happened. They may be:
    • Affirmative adverbs. They express an affirmation or agreement. For example: yes, surely, also, true, clear, sure, obvious, indeed, certainly, clearly.
    • Negative adverbs. They express denial or disagreement. For example: no, never, never, either, nothing.
    • Adverbs of order. They express a sequence or relation of order. For example: first, first, lately, later.
    • Doubtful adverbs. They express doubt or reservation against what has been said. For example: maybe, maybe, probably, maybe, it can be, maybe.
    • Exclamatory adverbs. They are used to question or exclaim in a sentence and are usually accentuated, whether or not they are accompanied by exclamation or question marks (¡!, ¿?). For example: when, how, why, where

Degrees of adverbs

Certain adverbs in Spanish serve to indicate certain degrees of comparison or intensity to establish relationships or proportions between two or more objects or realities.

The degrees of comparison can be:

  • Positive way. It is the ordinary form of the adverb and is used to express a circumstantial property. For example: Vilma eats fast.
  • Comparative form. It is used to compare two or more things and marks superiority, inferiority or equality between the elements. The formulas are used: tan + adverb + as (to express equality), more than (to express superiority) and less than (to express inferiority). For example: Vilma travels less than Teresa.
  • Absolute superlative form. It is used to construct the form of comparison to the extreme, for this the ending -ísimo must be added to the adverb, which makes it a superlative, which is the maximum degree of something. For example: Vilma eats very fast.

Sentences with adverbs

  • Sentences with adverbs of time
    • Tomorrow we will take you to the doctor.
    • I hope your grandfather heals soon.
    • You are always at home lately.
    • We still haven't found the culprit for the theft.
    • To be on time we must wake up early.
  • Sentences with adverbs of manner
    • Earthworms grow slowly.
    • Lobsters move quickly if they are underwater.
    • You shouldn't live so intensely.
    • If you take the train, you will get there faster.
    • The students did very well on today's test.
  • Sentences with adverbs of place
    • We are not very welcome there.
    • We will walk up to the top and meet you there.
    • They will build a library in front of the school.
    • The bikes will be tied to the back of my truck.
    • My house and yours are not close.
  • Sentences with adverbs of quantity
    • I have some money to lend you.
    • You must leave the house now or you will be too late for the meeting.
    • Last night it rained a lot.
    • The concert was attended by approximately ten thousand people.
    • The champion won the last race narrowly.
  • Sentences with exclamatory and interrogative adverbs
    • When are you planning to move?
    • I don't know what you plan to do about it.
    • How much traffic is on the avenue!
    • Where have you been?
    • How lucky you have been!
  • Sentences with affirmative and negative adverbs
    • You told me that you would come.
    • They never prepared me to suffer so much.
    • We won't be able to attend your birthday today.
    • Maria did not give the exam to the teacher either.
    • I was never in that place!
  • Sentences with doubtful adverbs
    • Maybe we'll stay over there.
    • Probably nothing serious.
    • Maybe we can go a little town.
    • If you call the airline, get yourself a ticket for tonight.
    • In the worst case, we return the car and drive home.

Adverbial phrases

Adverbial phrases are expressions that are made up of more than one word and that function as an adverb. For example: suddenly, instead, maybe, of course.

These expressions have the same function as an adverb, so they modify a verb, an adjective or another adverb. Like what happens with adverbs, there are different types of phrases, such as:

  • Adverbial phrases of time. For example: in the evening, instantly, later, late, often, now and then, at night, now and then, today.
  • Adverbial phrases of place. For example: to the left, to the right, in the distance, to the side, in front, behind, from afar.
  • Adverbial phrases of mode. For example: blindly, in the dark, barely, by dint of, perfectly, wide open, calmly, adrift, upside down, point blank, conscientiously.
  • Adverbial phrases of negation and affirmation. For example: in no way, in no way, not even remotely, of course, it would be missing more, of course, without a doubt.
  • Adverbial phrases of quantity. For example: at least, only, at most, no more, no less, much less, just a little.
  • Adverbial phrases of doubt. For example: perhaps, perhaps, almost certainly, out there, apparently, at best, in appearance.

In addition, some adverbial phrases work as discursive connectors, which are words that establish a link between the elements of a sentence. For example: However, for your part, however, instead, on the other hand, accordingly.

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