Adverbs of process 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 (adverb of manner)
- means used to perform the task (adverb of means)
- instrument used to perform the task (adverb of instrument)
Adverb of process, in other words, is an umbrella term for adverb of manner, means, and instrument. With no original function, it’s sort of a container, whose job is done by its three children adverbs.
Here are few examples of adverbs of process, categorized under their three types:
(Comments are in [square brackets])
Adverb of manner
1. Pick your leaders and mentors carefully. [In careful manner]
2. The speaker commented sarcastically on the functioning of the government. [In sarcastic manner]
Adverb of means
3. Derren Brown made the sun disappear magically. [Magic is the way/means to make]
4. Some pet owners claim to communicate telepathically with their pets. [Telepathy is the way/means to communicate]
Adverb of instrument
5. The temperature of the vessel was measured radiometrically. [Radiometer is the instrument used to measure temperature]
6. My grandfather underwent surgery laparoscopically. [Laparoscope is the instrument used to perform surgery]
In the above examples, adverb of process (underlined) comes in the form of adverb, but phrases and clauses too can provide information on process, in which case process adjunct is the all-encompassing term we use. In other words, adverb of process is a subset of process adjunct.
