Adverb rules

ADVERB

A word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb or a word group, expressing a relation of place, time, circumstance, manner, cause, degree, etc.

Types of Adverbs

There are major six types of adverbs:

Adverbs of Frequency - always, sometimes, never, once a week, hourly, etc.

Adverbs of Manner - carefully, slowly, loudly

Adverbs of Time - tomorrow, now, this year, next week, soon, then

Adverbs of Place/Location - here, there, above, everywhere

Adverbs of Degree - very, extremely, rather, almost, nearly, too, quite

Adverbs of Quantity - a few, a lot, much

RULES

1 .    We use adverbs of manner immediately after the verb if there is no object in the sentence. However, adverbs are placed after verb + object, if an object is present.

Example- She speaks clearly. (without object)

                She speaks French well. (after verb+ object)

2 .    Adverbs of frequency like always, often, seldom, sometimes....etc should come before the verb they modify.

Example-  My brother goes often to Delhi. (Incorrect)

                  My brother often goes to Delhi. (Correct)

3 .    If a sentence is introduced by an adverb, inverted form of the adverb is used.

Example- Seldom he visits his parents. (Incorrect)

                 Seldom does he visit his parents. (Correct)

4 .    Adverb ‘as’ should be used to introduce predicative of the verbs like ‘regard, describe, define, treat, view, know’.....etc. However ‘as’ should be avoided with verbs like  ‘name, elect, think, consider, call, appoint, make, choose’.

Example- Mr. Singh was elected as the secretary of our society club. (Incorrect)

                 Mr. Singh was elected the secretary of our society club. (Correct)

5 .    The adverb “too” should be followed by “to” and “so” should be followed by “that”.

Example- He is too tired that he cannot walk. (Incorrect)

     He is too tired to walk. (Correct).

     The box is so heavy that I cannot lift it. (Correct)

6 .    “Enough” is both an adjective and an adverb. However, its use is different.

i)             “Enough as an adjective”- As an adjective, it should be placed before a noun.

Example- She has enough energy (noun)  to lead an active life.

ii)            “Enough as an adverb”- As an adverb, it should be placed after an adjective.

Example-  She is (Adjective) strong enough to support her family.

7 .    Use of Much/Very

“Much’ is used with past participle and with comparative degree of adjectives.

Example- I am much interested. (past participle)

                 I am much better now. (comparative degree)

8 .    The order of adverbs in a sentence influences the meaning and the order should be as follows- Adv of MANNER+ Adv of PLACE+ Adv of TIME, also called (MPT-Rule)

Example-  Milton wrote profusely and meticulously (adv of manner), in England (adv of place), from 1630 to 1640 (adv of time).