Difference between revisions of "Adverb"
From Hull AWE
UngrammBot (Talk | contribs) m (Robot: Changing Category:Word Classes) |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | + | {{grammar}} | |
| − | *In Primary School, you may have heard '''adverbs''' called ‘describing words’, like [[adjective]]s. '''Adverbs''' were used to describe [[verb]]s, where adjectives describe [[noun]]s. (Note the [[etymology]]: ad<big>verb</big>.) | + | * In Primary School, you may have heard '''adverbs''' called ‘describing words’, like [[adjective]]s. '''Adverbs''' were used to describe [[verb]]s, where adjectives describe [[noun]]s. (Note the [[etymology]]: ad<big>verb</big>.) |
| − | *In Secondary School, '''adverbs''' were ‘words used to modify a verb’. (Modify = say more about the way in which a verb is ‘done’, or carried out, or ‘happens’). At this stage, you may have been taught that an [[adjective]] '''qualifies''' a [[noun]]. ('Qualify' here means "To express some <big>quali</big>ty belonging to (a noun)" (''OED'') | + | * In Secondary School, '''adverbs''' were ‘words used to modify a verb’. (Modify = say more about the way in which a verb is ‘done’, or carried out, or ‘happens’). At this stage, you may have been taught that an [[adjective]] '''qualifies''' a [[noun]]. ('Qualify' here means "To express some <big>quali</big>ty belonging to (a noun)" (''[[OED]]'') |
| − | *In more modern grammar, [[word class]]es are defined as much by the grammatical contexts in which they are found. '''Adverbs''' are used in several ways. If you need to go a little deeper into defining this class of words, | + | * In more modern grammar, [[word class]]es are defined as much by the grammatical contexts in which they are found. '''Adverbs''' are used in several ways. If you need to go a little deeper into defining this class of words, see [[Adverb in modern grammar]]. |
(Note that many adverbs used with verbs – but not all – end in <big>–ly</big>. This is a way of forming adverbs out of [[adjective]]s. Compare "He drew a <u>rough</u> picture" (adjective) with "He drew a picture rough<u>ly</u>" (adverb).) | (Note that many adverbs used with verbs – but not all – end in <big>–ly</big>. This is a way of forming adverbs out of [[adjective]]s. Compare "He drew a <u>rough</u> picture" (adjective) with "He drew a picture rough<u>ly</u>" (adverb).) | ||
| − | Like [[adjective]]s, '''adverbs''' can be [[inflect]]ed - that is, they can change their shape, particularly the ending, for different grammatical usages. In the case of '''adverbs''', the '''inflection''' is for [[comparison]]. In English, adverbs (and | + | Like [[adjective]]s, '''adverbs''' can be [[inflect]]ed - that is, they can change their shape, particularly the ending, for different grammatical usages. In the case of '''adverbs''', the '''inflection''' is for [[comparison]]. In English, adverbs (and adjectives) have three '''degrees of comparison''': the [[positive degree of comparison|positive]], for example '''loud'''; the [[comparative degree of comparison|comparative ]] ('''loud<big>er</big>'''); and the [[superlative degree of comparison|superlative]] ('''loud<big>est</big>'''). |
[[Category:Grammar]] | [[Category:Grammar]] | ||
| − | |||
[[Category:Word classes]] | [[Category:Word classes]] | ||
[[Category:Adverb attributes]] | [[Category:Adverb attributes]] | ||
Revision as of 17:04, 6 April 2007
| This article is part of the grammar course.
You may choose to follow it in a structured way, or read each item separately. |
- In Primary School, you may have heard adverbs called ‘describing words’, like adjectives. Adverbs were used to describe verbs, where adjectives describe nouns. (Note the etymology: adverb.)
- In Secondary School, adverbs were ‘words used to modify a verb’. (Modify = say more about the way in which a verb is ‘done’, or carried out, or ‘happens’). At this stage, you may have been taught that an adjective qualifies a noun. ('Qualify' here means "To express some quality belonging to (a noun)" (OED)
- In more modern grammar, word classes are defined as much by the grammatical contexts in which they are found. Adverbs are used in several ways. If you need to go a little deeper into defining this class of words, see Adverb in modern grammar.
(Note that many adverbs used with verbs – but not all – end in –ly. This is a way of forming adverbs out of adjectives. Compare "He drew a rough picture" (adjective) with "He drew a picture roughly" (adverb).)
Like adjectives, adverbs can be inflected - that is, they can change their shape, particularly the ending, for different grammatical usages. In the case of adverbs, the inflection is for comparison. In English, adverbs (and adjectives) have three degrees of comparison: the positive, for example loud; the comparative (louder); and the superlative (loudest).
