Adverbs,modify,adjective,adverb,noun,pronoun,phrase,clause,def - Parts Of Speech-ESL/Learn English Grammar

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Adverbs

[Sidenote: _Adverbs modify._]

279. The word _adverb_ means _joined to a verb_. The adverb is the
only word that can join to a verb to modify it.

[Sidenote: _A verb._]

When action is expressed, an adverb is usually added to define the
action in some way,--time, place, or manner: as, "He began _already_
to be proud of being a Rugby boy [time];" "One of the young heroes
scrambled up _behind_ [place];" "He was absolute, but _wisely_ and
_bravely_ ruling [manner]."

[Sidenote: _An adjective or an adverb._]

But this does not mean that adverbs modify verbs _only_: many of them
express degree, and limit adjectives or adverbs; as, "William's
private life was _severely_ pure;" "Principles of English law are put
down _a little_ confusedly."

[Sidenote: _Sometimes a noun or pronoun._]

Sometimes an adverb may modify a noun or pronoun; for example,--

The young man reveres men of genius, because, to speak truly,
they are _more_ himself than he is.--EMERSON.

Is it _only_ poets, and men of leisure and cultivation, who live
with nature?--_Id._

To the _almost_ terror of the persons present, Macaulay began
with the senior wrangler of 1801-2-3-4, and so on.--THACKERAY.

Nor was it _altogether_ nothing.--CARLYLE.

Sounds overflow the listener's brain So sweet that joy is
_almost_ pain.--SHELLEY.

The condition of Kate is _exactly_ that of Coleridge's "Ancient
Mariner."--DE QUINCEY.

He was _incidentally_ news dealer.--T.B. ALDRICH.

NOTE.--These last differ from the words in Sec. 169, being adverbs
naturally and fitly, while those in Sec. 169 are felt to be
elliptical, and rather forced into the service of adjectives.

Also these adverbs modifying nouns are to be distinguished from those
standing _after_ a noun by ellipsis, but really modifying, not the
noun, but some verb understood; thus,--

The gentle winds and waters [that are] near, Make music to the
lonely ear.--BYRON.

With bowering leaves [that grow] _o'erhead_, to which the eye
Looked up half sweetly, and half awfully.--LEIGH HUNT.

[Sidenote: _A phrase._]

An adverb may modify a phrase which is equivalent to an adjective or
an adverb, as shown in the sentences,--

They had begun to make their effort much _at the same
time_.--TROLLOPE.

I draw forth the fruit, all wet and glossy, maybe _nibbled by
rabbits and hollowed out by crickets_, and perhaps _with a leaf
or two cemented to it_, but still _with a rich bloom to
it_.--THOREAU.

[Sidenote: _A clause or sentence._]

It may also modify a sentence, emphasizing or qualifying the
statement expressed; as, for example,--

And _certainly_ no one ever entered upon office with so few
resources of power in the past.--LOWELL.

_Surely_ happiness is reflective, like the light of heaven.
--IRVING.

We are offered six months' credit; and that, _perhaps_, has
induced some of us to attend it.--FRANKLIN.


[Sidenote: _Definition._]

280. An adverb, then, is a modifying word, which may qualify an
action word or a statement, and may add to the meaning of an adjective
or adverb, or a word group used as such.

NOTE.--The expression _action word_ is put instead of _verb_, because
_any_ verbal word may be limited by an adverb, not simply the forms
used in predication.


281. Adverbs may be classified in two ways: (1) according to the
meaning of the words; (2) according to their use in the sentence.


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