Adverbials

by Aimee Dunn
Student, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, 1998

Introduction

An adverbial is a construction that modifies, or describes, verbs. When an adverbial modifies a verb, it changes the meaning of that verb. Not only does an adverb, one of the forms listed below in the chart, modify a verb, but there are other words and word groups that do also. For example, a prepositional phrase, an infinitive phrase, and a nominal clause can all modify verbs.

In every sentence pattern, the adverbial tells where, when, why, how, etc. There can be more than one adverbial in a sentence. Also, there is not a certain slot fixed for adverbials. They are movable.

One way to analyze sentence structure is to think in terms of form and function. Form refers to a word class--such as noun, verb, adjective, adverb, and  preposition--as well as types of phrases, such as prepositional phrase, nominal clause, and adverbial clause. Function refers to the function of the form in a sentence. For example, the function of a prepositional phrase in a sentence may be adverbial; that is, it modifies a verb. Here is a chart, taken from Martha Kolln's Understanding Engish Grammar, that will help you better understand form and function:
 
 

Form	Function
Word  noun  verb  adjective  adverb  Phrase  noun phrase  verb phrase (gerund, infinitive, participle)  prepositional phrase  Clause  independent sentence  nominal clause  adverbial (subordinate) clause  adjectival (relative) clause	Nominal  subject  subject complement  direct object  indirect object  object complement  object of preposition  Adverbial  modifier of (verb)  Adjectival  subject complement  object complement  modifier of (noun)  Sentence modifier

 

Definitions

• Adverb: a word that modifies a verb. The easiest adverbs to find are those that end in -ly. Those adverbs are called manner adverbs. There are also frequency adverbs, adverbs of place, and adverbs of time. Examples: quickly, courageously, sheepishly.

• Adverbial: any structure, no matter what its form, that functions as a modifier of a verb. Example: I couldn't sleep well throughout the night.

• Adverbial infinitive: an infinitive, which consists of the word to and the base form of the verb, used to modify a verb. Example. My father reads to improve his vocabulary.

• Adverbial prepositional phrase: Movable phrases that begin with prepositions and modify verbs. Example: We washed our hands after playing outside.

• Dangling infinitive: a problem that occurs when the subject of the sentence is not the subject of an introductory adverbial infinitive. Example: To stay healthy, exercise is important.

• Subordinate clause: a dependent clause introduced by a subordinating conjunction. Example: Before you watch TV, you need to finish your homework.

Exercise 

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1. My friend works at the grocery store.
2. We went to the pool to swim.
3. I went to sleep after midnight.
4. Jack went outside for some fresh air.
5. After the show, we went skating.
6. She left with a smile.
7. She saw the cat on the porch.
8. My friend and I decided to take a walk this morning.
9. He will meet me here at 4 o'clock.
10. Beth cried because of her dog's dying.
11. The dog barked all night while I was trying to sleep.
12. The boy laughed loudly.

Bibliography

Jacobus, Lee A. The Sentence Book. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., 1976.
 

This book focuses on the elements of a sentence. These elements are discussed individually and in complete detail.

This book focuses on many concepts used in grammar. Many examples and hints are given to help readers understand these concepts.

This book focuses on syntax and semantics from the years 1964-1971. The book gives us the author's theory of grammar. From this, we can see how grammar has changed today.