Adverb Phrase Essay

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An adverbial is an adverb, adverbial phrase or adverbial clause which gives us additional information about e.g. the time, place, or manner of the action which is described in the rest of the sentence: We have been living here in this house for over twenty years. We were sleeping peacefully in our beds when the earthquake struck. From these examples, you can see that the most common position for adverbials is at the end of the sentence Place adverbials (here in this house) come before time adverbials (for over twenty years). Manner adverbials (peacefully) come before place adverbials (in our beds). They do not always follow this pattern. Thus, adverbials answer questions such as: Where? When? How? Why? How often? How long? How much? In many sentences, the adverb need not be a word. An adverb may be a phrase. Just as the work of an adjective is done by ‘a group of words’ called 'adjective-phrase', so the work of an adverb can be done by ‘a group of words’ which is called ‘ADVERB-PHRASE. Another definition of an adverb phrase, is that an adverb phrase is a group of words that serves the same purpose as an adverb. Like an adverb, an adverb phrase can also modify an adjective or another adverb. Some adverbs and their equivalent adverb phrases are given below. Bravely (adverb) – in a brave manner (adverb phrase) Beautifully – in a beautiful manner / way / style Formerly – in former times / once upon a time Recently – just now or at a recent date Soon – before very long Here – on this spot Everywhere – in all places Now – at the moment Examples: He spoke politely. (Here the adverb politely says something about the manner in which he spoke.) He spoke in a polite manner. (Here the adverb phrase ‘in a polite manner’ also says how he spoke.) It is available now. It is available at the moment. (The adverb phrase

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