Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs (modifier has been underlined and modified word is in blue font):
The sunset is extremely beautiful. [Adverb modifying adjective]
The conference was rather poorly attended. [Adverb modifying another adverb]
The temperature dropped sharply. [Adverb modifying verb]
In this post, we’ll cover adverbs that modify verbs, like in the third example.
Adverbs that modify adjectives and other adverbs almost always pre-modify, implying modifier comes immediately before the modified. Also, these adverbs are mainly intensifying adverbs (so, very, quite, too, extremely, etc.), increasing or decreasing the intensity of the modified.
Adverbs that modify verbs are different. They can occupy variety of positions with respect to the verb. Second, they express time, place, manner, frequency, etc., implying they’re different from the ones that modify adjectives and other adverbs. Examples:
The package should arrive tomorrow. [Adverb of time telling when the package should arrive.]
The cat stayed inside the house all day. [Adverb of place telling where did the cat stay all day.]
He played the piano well during the recital. [Adverb of manner telling how he played the piano.]
Citizens can directly call and register their feedback at the call centre. [Adverb of manner]
I always brush my teeth before bed. [Adverb of frequency]
The employees symbolically wore a black arm band. [Adverb of purpose]
The earlier mild virus developed its deadlier version mutationally. [Adverb of means]
This drink has been fermented bacterially. [Adverb of instrument]
If you notice the position of adverbs in the above examples, you’ll find them in variety of positions, and not just before the verb, like in case of adverb modifying adjective or another adverb.
What follows next is for advanced learners.
Although we call the adverbs (we’re studying in this post) as modifiers of verbs, strictly speaking they’re adverbial, a clause element. If you remember, a clause is made of five clause elements – subject, verb, object, complement, and adverbial (which is usually optional). So, in the first two examples below, the adverb (as modifier of verb) is a clause element; in the next three, the adverb (as modifier of adjective or adverb) is not a clause element – but a part of a clause element.
The package should arrive tomorrow. [Tomorrow is a clause element, an adverbial.]
The cat stayed inside the house all day. [Inside is a clause element, an adverbial.]
The sunset is extremely beautiful. [Extremely is not a clause element. It’s part of clause element extremely beautiful. It’s an adjective phrase functioning as complement.]
I did extremely well on the fitness test. [Extremely is not a clause element. It’s part of clause element extremely well. It’s an adverb phrase functioning as adverbial. In other words, the phrase extremely well is modifying verb did.]
He answered the question quite fluently during the interview. [Explanation is same as in the last example.]
Learn more: In some situations, adverbs can modify noun, pronoun, preposition, conjunction, and even phrases. Learn the full range of modifying function of adverbs.
