Adverbials

An adverbial is a group of words that functions in the same way as an Adverb: eg: Before the play, we met up in a pub near the theatre. 'Before the play' functions in the same way as an adverb of time such as Yesterday, etc.

Adverbials are defined as words and phrases that modify an entire clause by providing additional information about time, place, manner, condition, purpose, reason, result, and concession. The five grammatical forms that can function as the adverbial in English grammar are: 1. Adverb phrase

2. Prepositional phrase 3. Noun phrase 4. Verb phrase 5. Adverb clause Adverbials are optional and can be added to or removed from the sentence without changing the grammaticality or meaning of the main clause. Both native English-speaking and ESL students must learn and understand the five grammatical forms in order to speak and write sentences with adverbials in English correctly. 1. Adverb Phrases as Adverbials The first grammatical form that can perform the grammatical function of adverbial is the adverb phrase. Adverb phrases are defined as phrases that are formed by an adverb plus any modifiers. For example, the following italicized adverb phrases function as adverbials:

The children are waiting patiently for their snack. Presently the judges will announce the winner. Wash your hands immediately.

2. Prepositional Phrases as Adverbials The second grammatical form that can perform the grammatical function of adverbial is the prepositional phrase. Prepositional phrases are defined as phrases that are formed by a prepositional directly followed by a prepositional complement. For example, the following italicized prepositional phrases function as adverbials:

The children waited in line. The couple is walking their dog along the beach. She failed the test because of her illness.

3. Noun Phrases as Adverbials

The third grammatical form that can perform the grammatical function of adverbial is the noun phrase. Noun phrases are defined as phrases that are formed by a noun or pronoun plus any modifiers, complements, or determinatives. For example, the following italicized noun phrases function as adverbials:

You should brush your teeth every evening. Please mow the lawn today. Yesterday morning the puppy woke up early.

4. Verb Phrases as Adverbials The fourth grammatical form that can perform the grammatical function of adverbial is the verb phrase in the form of an infinitive. Verb phrases are defined as phrases that are formed by a verb plus any modals, modifiers, complements, and particles. For example, the following italicized verb phrases function as adverbials:

He opened the windows to let in some fresh air. She studied hard to please her parents. To bake a cake, begin by gathering all the ingredients.

Adverb Clauses as Adverbials The fifth grammatical form that can perform the grammatical function of adverbial is the adverb clause. Adverb clauses are defined as subordinate clauses that are formed by a clause preceded by a subordinating conjunction. For example, the following italicized adverb clauses function as adverbials:

She decided to study library science because she is interested in information literacy.

After he washed his hands, he ate lunch. While the maid was cleaning the house, she discovered hidden treasure.

Prepositions Time
English

Usage

Example

on

days of the week months / seasons

on Monday

in August / in winter

time of day year

in

in the morning in 2006 in an hour

after a certain

period of time

(when?)

for night

at night at the weekend at half past nine

for weekend

at

a certain point of

time (when?)

English

Usage from a certain point of time (past till now)

Example

since

since 1980

over a certain period of time (past till now)

for

for 2 years

a certain time in

ago the past

2 years ago

earlier than a certain point of time

before

before 2004

to past

telling the time telling the time

ten to six (5:50) ten past six (6:10)

English

Usage marking the

Example

to / till / beginning and end until of a period of time

from Monday to/till Friday

in the sense of how

till / long something is until going to last

He is on holiday until Friday.

I will be back by 6 oclock.

in the sense of at the latest

by

By 11 o'clock, I had read five pages.

up to a certain time

Prepositions Place (Position and Direction)

English Usage Example

English

Usage room, building, street, town, country

Example in the kitchen, in London in the book in the car, in a taxi in the picture, in the world

in

book, paper etc. car, taxi picture, world meaning next to, by an object

at the door, at the station

for table for events place where you are to do something typical (watch a film, study, work)

at the table at a concert, at the party at the cinema, at school, at work

at

English

Usage attached

Example

the picture on the wall

for a place with a river

London lies on the Thames.

being on a surface for a certain side

on the table on the left on the first floor on the bus, on a plane

(left, right)

on

for a floor in a

house

for public transport

on TV, on the radio

for television, radio

left or right of somebody or

Jane is standing by / next to / beside the car.

by, next to, beside something

English

Usage on the ground, lower than (or

Example

the bag is under the table

under covered by) something else

lower than

the fish are below the surface

below

something else but above ground

covered by something else

put a jacket over your shirt

meaning more than

over 16 years of age

over

getting to the other side (also across)

walk over the bridge

overcoming an

climb over the

English

Usage obstacle

Example wall

higher than something else,

a path above the lake

above but not directly over it

getting to the other side (also over)

walk across the bridge

across

getting to the other side

swim across the lake

something with limits on top,

drive through the tunnel

through bottom and the sides

to

movement to

go to the cinema

English

Usage person or building

Example go to London / Ireland

movement to a place or country

go to bed

for bed enter a room / a building

go into the kitchen / the house

into

movement in the direction of

go 5 steps towards the house

towards something (but not directly to it)

movement to the top of something

jump onto the table

onto

in the sense of where from

a flower from the garden

from

Other important Prepositions

English

Usage

Example

from

who gave it who/what does it belong to

a present from Jane a page of the book the picture of a palace

of

what does it show

a book by Mark Twain

by

who made it

walking or riding

on foot, on horseback

on horseback

on

entering a public

get on the bus

transport vehicle

entering a car /

in Taxi

get in the car

English

Usage leaving a public

Example

off transport vehicle

get off the train

out of

leaving a car / Taxi rise or fall of something

get out of the taxi

prices have risen by 10 percent

by

travelling (other than walking or horseriding)

by car, by bus

she learned Russian at 45

at

for age

for topics, meaning what about

we were talking about you

about