If you want to dip delve into the vast grammatical pool you must take it for certain that you must know the Parts of Speech quite well along with their definitions, functions and their appropriateness in the English grammar. Now it is Adverb that you have to know for Adverb is such kind of Parts of Speech that has the power to modify all its other counterparts save the noun. You may not find the use of Adverb in other languages. But in the English language its use is mandatory and to a large extent important.
Perhaps you have the basic idea that an Adverb generally ends with ‘ly’ that is a suffix. There is root word, generally an adjective that the Adverb modifies. But there are instances too where you may find that only ‘ly’ in the ending does not denote an Adverb. Though in the very beginning I have mentioned that Adverb generally despises noun it sometimes takes the help of a noun to form contrary. The words are the suffixes -ways and – wise.
The first thing that may haunt you is the thought that it is the Verb that is modified generally by an Adverb. The first reason lies in the name Adverb that an obvious reminder of the Parts of Speech the Verb. The chief function of the Adverb is to modify another adverb, an Adjective, and the phrases and clauses. Generally an Adverb tells in general when something took place, where it took place, how it took place, how often it took place or in the last part the manner in which it took place. The Adverb finds its fulfillment when all the questions are answered perfectly.
Now let us take an example-
I ran quickly to catch the train. If you question how did you run? ‘Quickly’ is specifically the answer.
Now take the example-
The child cried loudly.
It is the Adverb ‘ loudly ‘ that is modifying the Verb ‘cried’.
This book is obviously mine.
In this sentence you may note that ‘ mine ‘ is the Genitive form of ‘I’ and therefore, it is equivalent to adjective.
Now you have to know about the ‘Simple Adverbs ‘.
You can distinguish one another according to the meaning. Adverb denoting ‘Time ‘.
He will soon come. He fell ill yesterday. The other Adverbs are now, before, hen, since, already, soon, immediately, early, late, afterwards, yesterday, today, tomorrow etc.
Adverb of place
We should sleep here. Here ‘ here’ is the Adverb of Place. The other Adverbs are hence, thence, in, out, above, below, inside, far, outside, near etc.
Adverb of Number-
I shall not do it again. In this sentence’ again’ is the Adverb of number. The other Adverbs are once, seldom, never, sometimes, often, always, firstly etc.
Adverb of Manner-
I can run slowly. In this sentence it is ‘ slowly’ that is the Adverb of manner. The other Adverbs are badly, certainly, probably, certainly etc.
Adverb of Degree-
She is almost the bravest girl in the locality. In this sentence ‘ almost’ is the example of an Adverb. Other Adverbs of this kind are a little, rather, much, too etc.