An adverb can modify a verb, an adjective, another adverb, a phrase, or a clause. An adverb indicates manner, time, place, cause, or degree and answers questions such as "how," "when," "where," "how much".
While some adverbs can be identified by their characteristic "ly" suffix, most of them must be identified by untangling the grammatical relationships within the sentence or clause as a whole. Unlike an adjective, an adverb can be found in various places within the sentence.
ADVERB TYPE
ADVERBS OF MANNER - these answer the question how?
This adverb usually comes after the direct object or if there is no direct object, after the verb:
She speaks Italian beautifully.
He works well.
You must drive your car carefully.
Eat quietly.
ADVERBS OF PLACE - these answer the question where?
This adverb usually comes after the object, otherwise after the verb:
We saw you there.
We were sitting here.
We looked everywhere.
Note: somewhere, anywhere, follow the same rules as some and any:
Have you seen my glasses anywhere?
I'm sure I left them somewhere.
I can't find them anywhere.
ADVERBS OF TIME - these answer the question when?
This adverb usually comes either at the very beginning of the sentence or at the end.
Afterwards we decided to go by car. I've done that journey before.
Note: yet and still: yet should be placed at the end of the sentence.
Still should be placed before the verb, except with the verb 'to be' when it comes after.
We haven't started yet.
He still wears old-fashioned clothes.
She is still a student.
Compare these two sentences:
The train still hasn't arrived.
The train hasn't arrived yet.
ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY - these answer the question how many times?
This adverb comes after the verb 'to be':
She is always honest.
Comes before simple tenses of all other verbs:
They sometimes spend the whole of Saturday fishing.
Comes after the first auxiliary in a tense consisting of more than one verb:
I have often wondered how they did that.
I can sometimes go without food for days.
Note: with 'used to' and 'have' the frequency adverb is usually placed in front:
We always used to look forward to the school holidays.
He never has any trouble with his old car.
ADVERBS OF DEGREE - these answer the question to what extent?
This adverb can modify an adverb or an adjective and comes before the word it modifies:
The bottle is almost full, nearly empty.
They should be able to pass their exams quite easily.
The following adverbs of degree can also modify verbs:
almost, nearly, quite, hardly, scarcely, barely, just
They follow the same pattern as frequency adverbs in terms of where they are placed:
I quite understand.
We had almost reached the hut when the rain started.
I am just beginning a new course.
ADVERB OF RESULT OR REASON: therefore, so, hence, consequently (when preceded by the conjunction “and”), etc.
It is late and so I must go.
ADVERBS OF AFFIRMATION,NEGATION OR DOUBT: yes, no, not, certainly, doubtlessly, perhaps, probably, possibly, surely, not at all, undoubtedly, etc.
She is not coming tomorrow. Negation)
She has certainly checked her report. (Affirmation)
INTENSIVE ADVERBS: only, just, simply, even, also, especially, exactly, precisely, really, at least, right,
He came just to speak to her.
They can not tell me exactly what had happened.
He did so only once.
INTERROGATIVE ADVERBS: used for asking questions.
1. Time: When did he arrive?
How long will you stay there?
2. Number or frequency: How often have I told you that?
3. Place or direction: Where do you live?
4. Manner: How could he do it?
5. Extent, degree or amount: How far did you agree?
How did you like it?
6. Cause or reason: Why are you crying?
CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS: they have a double function. They do the work of an adverb and the work of a conjunction.
We left when he arrived.
1. Time: They told me when I should come.
2. Number or frequency: I’d like to know how often you visit them.
3. Place : We live where there’s little rain.
4. Manner: Do it how you think it best.
5. Extent, degree or amount: Tell me how you enjoyed yourself.
6. Cause or reason: I don’t know why she is crying.
THE COMPARISON OF ADVERBS
Adverbs of one syllable are compared in the same way as adjectives
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
Fast faster fastest
Hard harder hardest
Near nearer nearest
Soon sooner soonest
IRREGULAR COMPARISONS
Far farther farthest
Fore further furthest
Late later latest/last
Little less least
Much more most
Near nearer nearest, next
Well better best
Adverbs of more than one syllable take “more” and “most”
Wisely more wisely most wisely
Cleverly more cleverly most cleverly
Exceptions: early earlier earliest
often oftener oftenest
more often most often
Source: Miss Cecilia's adverb manual 2007.
INVERSION
If you begin a sentence with one of the following, the normal word order changes - the verb comes first followed by the subject:
never, seldom, scarcely ..... when, no sooner ..... than, nowhere, in no circumstances, on no account, only then, not only
Seldom has one century seen so many changes.
No sooner did we hear the results when there was a knock at the door.
Never would I be persuaded to buy a secondhand car.
Usual word order with different adverbs: MANNER PLACE TIME
She sang beautifully in the concert hall last night.Original source
http://www.writingcentre.uottawa.ca/hypergrammar/adverbs.html
http://www.english-test.net/lessons/50/index.html
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