6 Types of Adverbs in English, Definitions & Examples List

In this lesson we will learn what are adverbs and what are the different types of adverbs in English grammar. It is very essential for an ESL student to learn adverbs and other parts of speech. Whenever we learn parts of speech it gives us the complete understanding of English language. Parts of speech includes noun, pronoun, conjunction, adverbs, interjections, adjectives, verbs, and prepositions. Some authors consider ‘articles’ as the ninth parts of speech.

Noun is the name of a person place or a thing, similarly the pronouns are the words that we use in place of a noun. Adverbs are the words that modify adjectives, verbs, and sometimes other adverbs. Interjection are very important and they express the mood. We use interjections to express the mood. Conjunctions are basically the linking words in English. In todays lesson we are going to study adverbs in detail with their 6 most common types and examples.

What is an Adverb?

An adverb is a word that supplies information about how, when, where, why, and to what extent. Adverbs can adjust adverbs, verbs, adjectives, and clauses. Other than any further part of speech, adverbs are fluid in positions of their situation in a sentence.

Examples

1. She had a surprisingly high score
2. He comes relatively often.
3. He behaved abominably.
4. Slowly, I approached the child.

Types of Adverbs in Grammar

1. Adverbs of Manner

Manner adverbs give more facts about the method in which an occasion or action takes place. Adverbs of manner are often formed from adjectives by the addition of -ly.

Examples

1. He nodded and smiled warmly.
2. The Man pushes her into the room quickly.
3. He acted very clumsily.
4. He got a letter from England; it was heavily censored.

Here is the list of adverbs of manner in english:

Positive Manner

Positive adverbs of manner are those adverbs that gives a positive manner. We use these adverbs in positive situations.

Negative Manner

Negative adverbs of manner are those adverbs that gives a negative manner. We use these adverbs in the situations of negations.

Positive/Negative Manner

Positive and negative adverbs of manner are those adverbs that gives a positive as well as negative manner. We use these adverbs in positive as well as negative situations.

2. Adverbs of Degree

Degree adverbs are the most specific types of modifiers of the adjectives and other adverbs. Adverbs of degree classify degrees of states, properties, states, conditions. (Absolutely, quite, too, fairly, rather, etc.) are the words included in adverbs of degree.

Examples

1. It all happened pretty quickly.
2. The team, however, was extremely happy.
3. Mary will be staying a bit longer.
4. Both her hands clawed instinctively for my eyes and she almost reached them too.

Here is the list of adverbs of degree in English:

3. Adverbs of Place

Adverbs of place tell us about the place of something happening/ where is happening.

Examples

1. Somebody was standing nearby.
2. The package was lying by the front door.
3. Is that your scarf there?
4. You go upstairs and do your homework.

Some adverbs of place are listed below:

4. Adverbs of Focus

Adverbs of focus are also very specific and common types of the adjective’s modifiers and other adverbs. They are pointed to something. (Mainly, just, largely, simply, only)

Examples

1. I just wanted to ask him that what he has thought.
2. Just before five, she dialed the number.
3. I would not particularly like to move to a modern house.
4. He had told her of his only mediocre degree.

Most general adverbs of focus are listed below:

5. Adverbs of Time

Adverb of time tells us about the happening time of something. Words like (already, still, early, tomorrow, now, soon, finally, recently, today, lately, etc.) are included in time adverbs.

Examples

1. Have you seen Laurie today?
2. Then in April Chatters died.
3. Five years later a rocket fell out of the sky.
4. In the past, only a fraction of the babies born grew up.

Below are some common adverbs of time:

6. Linking Adverbs

The linking adverbs show a relation among the two sentences or clauses (e.g. a time sequence, effect and cause, the difference between two things):

Example

1. I left the station in the morning then I went to pick up Ali at his house.
2. We talked until the evening and consequently, I overslept the next morning.
3. The sun will be shining in France. However, heavy rain is expected in Turkey.
4. The horror of it has always eluded me. However, it’s my only wish that she will get married to someone hard-working.

Below are some general linking adverbs in English: