ADVERBS-how do identify the adverb?

ADVERBS


 An adverb is a word which modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.+

  To +modify+ a word is to change or affect its meaning in some way.

  Thus in “The river fell _rapidly_,” the adverb _rapidly_ modifies   the verb _fell_ by showing _how_ the falling took place. In “I am   _never_ late,” “This is _absolutely_ true,” “That is _too_ bad,”   the italicized words are adverbs modifying adjectives; in “He came   _very_ often,” “He spoke _almost_ hopefully,” “The river fell _too_   rapidly,” they are adverbs modifying other adverbs.


Most adverbs answer the question “How?” “When?” “Where?” or “To what degree or extent?”


 Observe that adverbs modify verbs in much the same way in which adjectives modify nouns.



  ADJECTIVES                                                 ADVERBS

  A _bright_ fire burned.                            The fire burned _brightly_.
  A _fierce_ wind blew.                             The wind blew _fiercely_.


+A word or group of words that changes or modifies the meaning of another word is called a modifier.+

Adjectives and adverbs, then, are both +modifiers+. Adjectives modify substantives; adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

How to use Adjectives and adverbs etc...

Adjectives and adverbs

Business is going from bad to worse. (deteriorate further)

They always do things in a big way. (on a large scale)

The government has taken a very hard line (not giving in) against illegal quarrying.

Orders for the new product are coming in thick and fast. (in large numbers)


Nouns

How can any one make ends meet (manage with the money) with just Rs.2000/- a month?

Your son’s behaviour is a matter of concern. (something to worry about)

The name sounds familiar but I can’t call her face to mind. (recall something from memory; recognise)



Nouns and adjectives

My uncle loves to tell us how to play cricket. He is an armchair expert.
(one who gives advice in an area in which he was not actively involved)

Ravi is our sincere employee. He has had a clean slate (a past record without discredit) for over twenty years.



Idioms and Prepositions 

The policeman went near the damaged car to have a look at close quarters. (very near)

r. Jacob is at the helm (in charge) of affairs in this hospital.



Verbal Idioms

No one can make a break even (make no profit or loss) in the first year of business.

Because of the steep rice in prices, people living on pension feel the pinch. (feeling unpleasant change in one’s standard of living)



Idiomatic Pairs

Let us settle the bill for the damage fair and square. (in a fair way)

I can hear you over phone loud and clear. (very clearly)

By and by (as time goes by) he will realise that my going to Delhi was the right decision.

How to use the words Bark , Date, Tear, Bank and File as Adverb

Note: The following words may be used as verbs, nouns and/or adjectives or adverbs.

1. bark:
The barks of certain trees are used as medicine. (noun)
Dogs bark at strangers. (verb)

2. date:
Dates are good for health. (noun)
Can you postpone the meeting to a later date? (noun)

3. tear:
When she heard that she had won the first prize she had tears in her eyes.
(noun)
He usually tears all letters after reading them. (verb)

4. bank:
Madurai is on the banks of the Vaigai. (noun)
Most banks in this area are computerised. (noun)
It is unfortunate that most students bank on market guides while preparing
for their examinations. (verb)

5. file:
Where is my personal file? (noun)
File all these papers alphabetically. (verb)

6. sign:
Did you notice the sign? (noun)
Sign the papers. (verb)

7. leave:
Can you please grant me medical leave for ten days? (noun)
Please leave the hall immediately after the programme. (verb)

8. live:
This is a live telecast. (adjective)
Not many people live in extremely dry areas. (verb)

9. play:
The play was suspended because of rain. (noun)
Hamlet is considered the best play of Shakespeare. (noun)
Children love to play for long hours. (verb)

10. train:
The train was late by two hours. (noun)
Students trained in communication skills face interview boards confidently.
(verb)