Also called process adverbial, process adjuncts provide details about the process followed in performing any task. Without them, our sentences will lack much-needed details about how things are done. Specifically, they provide details about
- manner of performing the task (manner adjunct)
- means used to perform the task (means adjunct)
- instrument used to perform the task (instrument adjunct)
- agent performing the task (agent or agentive adjunct)
Process adjunct, in other words, is an umbrella term for manner, means, instrument, and agent adjunct. With no original function, it’s sort of a container, whose job is done by its four children adjuncts.
Learn more about each process adjunct
Here are some examples of process adjuncts, categorized under their four types:
(Comments are in [square brackets])
Manner adjunct
1. Even when you’re angry, convey your point politely. [In polite manner]
2. They live Aussie style. [In the manner of Aussies]
Means adjunct
3. Hydrogen can be produced cryogenically. [Cryogenics is the way/means to produce]
4. I travelled to San Francisco by Southwest Airline. [Southwest Airline is the way/means to travel]
Instrument adjunct
5. The temperature of the vessel was measured radiometrically. [Radiometer is the instrument used to measure temperature]
6. I cut the butter with a hot knife. [Hot knife is the instrument used to cut]
Agent or agentive adjunct
7. I’ve been told by a mutual friend that Tom was spreading rumors about me. [A mutual friend is the agent who told]
8. Being wealthy and popular, Tom is often surrounded by flatterers. [Flatterers are the agent who surround]
In the above examples, process adjunct (underlined) comes in different forms: adverb, noun phrase, and prepositional phrase. Its form as adverb (examples 1, 3, and 5) is called adverb of process. In other words, adverb of process is a subset of process adjunct.
