CHAPTER XIX

ADVERBS

A. KINDS.

     536.   As to Meaning.   There are many adverbs, and they modify in many different ways; yet they may all be divided, according to their meaning, into four principal classes: —
1. Adverbs of Time.As, now, then, always, never, next, last.
2. Adverbs of Place.As, here, there, down, hence, above.
3. Adverbs of Manner.As, well, ill, thus, so, slowly, wisely, freely.
4. Adverbs of Degree.As, much, very, almost, too, scarcely, quite, freely.
     537.   As to Use.   With respect to their use, adverbs may be classified as Simple when they merely modify, and as Conjunctive when they also connect.

EXERCISE 316.

     538.   From the preceding Exercise we see that in adjective clauses certain adverbs may be used as the equivalent of a phrase made with a conjunctive pronoun and a preposition. Thus: —
This is the house where (in which) I was born
Here, as we know, “which” would connect the clause to house, and “in which” would modify was born like an adverb; so its equivalent where does this double duty of modifying and connecting.
     539.   Adverbs like when, where, whence, whither, why, how, that both modify a verb and at the same time connect a clause, are called Conjunctive adverbs.
     So with wherewith, whereon, wherby, and other compounds of where and a preposition.
     ( a ) Conjunctive adverbs used in adjective clauses may be called relative adverbs.

EXERCISE 317.

     540.   From the foregoing illustrations we see that noun clauses also may be joined to the rest of the sentence by conjunctive adverbs. Thus: —
Show me how (= in what way) the problem is solved.
Here how is a conjunctive adverb; for it takes the place both of the conjunctive adjective “what” and of the phrase “in what way,” which modifies is solved like an adverb

EXERCISE 318.

     541.   The preceding Exercise shows us that a clause may do the work of an adverb as well as that of an adjective or a noun, by showing when, where, why, and so on. Thus: —
Go whenever ( = at whatever time) he calls.
Stand still wherever ( = in whatever place) you are.
Fight as ( = in what way) a hero fights.
These clauses, like adverbs, show when, where, and how one is “to go,” “to stand,” or “to fight,” and are therefore called Adverb clauses.
     They are joined to the verb of the sentence either by conjunctive adverbs or simply by conjunctions. [See § 579.]
     542.   An Adverb clause is one used in a sentence like an adverb.
     543.   A Conjunctive adverb is one that modifies some word in a clause, and connects the clause to the rest of the sentence.
     544.   A Simple adverb is one that modifies without connecting.

EXERCISE 319.

     545.   Interrogative Adverbs.   The adverbs how, when, where, whither, whence, when used to introduce a question, may be called interrogative adverbs. As in —
How is it done?     When did it happen?     Whence came he?
     546.   Modal Adverbs.   Certain adverbs, like not, surely, certainly, perhaps, indeed, etc., are sometimes used to show that a statement is made in a positive or negative or doubtful way. Thus: —
Surely you will not leave us.     Perhaps he knows no better.
     When so used they may be called modal adverbs.
     547.   Responsives.   The words yea, yea, no, nay, used as responses to questions, were once used like adverbs. We may call them responsives: but, like interjections, they do not properly belong to the parts of speech, being used now in the place of entire sentences. Thus: —
“Are you coming?”   “Yes”; (that is, “I am coming”).
     548.   Phrase adverbs.   Some little phrases, generally used as adverbs, cannot well be separated, and may be called phrase adverbs. Among them are the following: —
     At length; at last; at all; at once; as yet; by far; for good; at least; in general; in vain; in short; of old; of late; from below; etc.
     549.   There.   The adverb there is frequently used without much of its original meaning to introduce a sentence in which the verb comes before its subject. Thus:, —
There were a thousand there.
     When so used it may be called an expletive. [See § 249.]

B. INFLECTION AND USES.

     550.   Comparison.   Adverbs have, in general, no change of form. A few, however, are compared like adjectives. Thus, —
soon, sooner, soonest; often, oftener, oftenest.
     ( a ) The adverbs ill, far, little, much, near, well, are compared irregularly like the adjectives of the same form. [See § 398.]
     551.   Many adverbs that are not compared may have a comparative or superlative meaning added by the use of more and most, or less and least. As, —
quickly, more quickly, most quickly; less quickly, least quickly.
     552.   An adverb may modify not only a verb, an adjective, or an adverb, but also an infinitive, a participle, a preposition, a phrase, a clause, or even an entire sentence, as we have seen in § 546.
     553.   Parsing Adverbs.   To parse an adverb we have only to tell (1) its kind, and (2) what it modifies; the form (3) need be mentioned only when comparative or superlative.
EXAMPLE:   We work [ [ more ] cheerfully ] [ [ when ] we are [ well ] paid ].
more is a simple adverb in the comparative degree; used to modify the adverb cheerfully.
cheerfully is a simple adverb modifying the verb work.
when is a conjunctive adverb modifying the verb are paid.
well is a simple adverb modifying the verb are paid.

     554.
SUMMARY:     ADVERBS
Kinds.Forms.Uses.
Simple
Conjunctive
Interrogative
Modal
 		Positive
Comparative
Superlative
 
 		Modifies the
  Verb, Participle, Infinitive, Gerund          .
  Adjective          .
  Adverb          .
  Preposition, etc.          .

EXERCISE 320.

C. ANOMALIES IN THE USE OF ADVERBS.

     555.   Adjective for Adverb.   Be careful in using an adjective form where an adverb is required. Only rarely is there an adverb form without the -ly alongside a corresponding adjective. Thus: —
     “He reads slow and distinct” is non-standard. The adjective “distinct” should not be used to describe the manner of reading. The sentence should be either “He reads slow and distinctly.” or “He reads slowly and distinctly,” since “slow” is perfectly acceptable as an adverb.
     556.   Adverb for Predicate adjective. Be careful in using an adverb form in place of an adjective to complete a copulative verb. Only rarely is there an advective form with an -ly ending.
     “Miss Ward looked beautifully” is non-standard. “Looked” is a copulative verb, for the meaning is “She was beautiful in appearance.” We should therefore use a predicate adjective, and say, “Miss Ward looked beautiful.” Do not be overcorrect by avoiding to say, “Miss Ward looked lovely,” since “lovely” is a perfectly good adjective.
     557.   Double Negatives. Use only one negative in making a denial.
     “He has never had nothing to do with it” should be “He has never had anything to do with it.” For the speaker of standard English the two negatives spoil the meaning of the sentence.
      ( a )   Never use such expressions as “I don’t scarcely ever go,” or “We do not hardly expect it,” when the meaning is, “I scarcely ever go,” or “I hardly expect.”
     ( b )   Such expressions as “We are not unmindful of your kindness;” “He is never unwilling to learn” are perfectly all right. What is the effect of the two negatives in these examples?
     558.   Be careful to place adverbial expressions in the sentence so as to convey the meaning intended. Compare —
Only the address can be written on this side (nothing else).
The address can only be written on this side (not printed).
The address can be written on this side only (not on the other).
     558a.   Either a past or an active participle modified by an adverb of degree usually indicates that it is being used as an adjective and not as part of a passive or progressive verb phrase. Compare —
The children were very pleased with their presents. [degree + adjective]
The children were deeply pleased by their presents. [manner + passive]
He was too confusing to listen to. [degree + adjective]
He was often confusing his audience. [time + progressive]

EXERCISE 321.

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