What Are Adverbial Phrases?

(with Examples)

Adverbial phrase (or adverb phrase) is the term for two or more words which play the role of an adverb. Look at these
examples:

I will sit quietly.

(normal adverb)

I will sit in silence.

(adverbial phrase)

I will sit like a monk meditates.

(adverbial clause)
(When the multi-word adverb contains a subject and a verb (like in this example), it is an adverbial clause as opposed to
an adverbial phrase.)
In the examples above, all the adverbs tell us how the person will sit. They are all adverbs of manner. When used to modify a
verb, an adverb (including an adverbial phrase and an adverbial clause) will usually describe when, where, or how something
happens.

When (Adverbial Phrase of Time)

An adverbial phrase of time states when something happens or how often. For example:

I'll do it in a minute.
After the game, the king and pawn go into the same box. (Italian Proverb)
Do not wait for the last judgment. It takes place every day. (Albert Camus)

Where (Adverbial Phrase of Place)

An adverbial phrase of place states where something happens. For example:

I used to work in a fire-hydrant factory. You couldn't park anywhere near the place. (Steven Wright)
Opera is when a guy gets stabbed in the back and, instead of bleeding, he sings. (Ed Gardner)

How (Adverbial Phrase of Manner)

An adverbial phrase of manner states how something is done. For example:

He would always talk with a nationalistic tone.

He sings in a low register.
People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one. (Leo J. Burke)

What Is a Phrase? (with Examples)

A phrase is a group of words that stand together as a single unit, typically as part of a clause or a sentence.
A phrase does not contain a subject and verb and, consequently, cannot convey a complete thought. A phrase contrasts with
a clause. A clause does contain a subject and verb, and it can convey a complete idea.

Here Are Some Examples of Phrases

Here are some examples of phrases in a well-known quote by Shirley Temple:

I stopped believing in Santa Claus when my mother took me to see him in a department store, and he asked for
my autograph. (Shirley Temple)
(This phrase acts like a noun. It is the direct object of the verb stopped. This phrase is a gerund phrase.)

I stopped believing in Santa Claus when my mother took me to see him in a department store, and he asked for
my autograph.
(This phrase acts like a noun. It is the subject of the adverbial clause when my mother took me to see him in a
department store.)

I stopped believing in Santa Claus when my mother took me to see him in a department store, and he asked
for my autograph.
(This phrase acts like a noun. It is the object of the preposition for.)

I stopped believing in Santa Claus when my mother took me to see him in a department store, and he asked for
my autograph.
(This phrase acts like an adverb. It tells us where the activity took place. It is an adverb of place.)

The Hierarchy of Word Units

The hierarchy of word units is:

Word (e.g., Shark)

(A word is the smallest meaningful unit.)

Phrase (e.g., A seven-foot tiger shark)

(A phrase is a single piece of information made up of more than one word. It will not contain a subject and a verb.)

Clause (e.g., When a seven-foot tiger shark arrived...)

(A clause is a single piece of information made up of more than one word which contains a subject and a verb.)

Sentence (e.g., A seven-foot tiger shark arrived.)

(A sentence conveys a complete idea. It must contain at least one clause. Note: A clause that stands alone as a sentence
is known as an independent clause.)

Complex Sentence (e.g., When a seven-foot tiger shark arrived, the crew stopped fishing.)
(A complex sentence is an independent clause supported by at least one other clause.)

Compound Sentence (e.g., A seven-foot tiger shark arrived, and the crew stopped fishing.)
(A compound sentence is a sentence made up of at least two independent clauses.)

What Are Clauses? (with Examples)

A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb.
A clause can be distinguished from a phrase, which does not contain a subject and a verb (e.g., in the afternoon, drinking
from the bowl).
An independent clause can express a complete thought (and can be a standalone sentence). A dependent clause is usually a
supporting part of a sentence, and it cannot stand by itself as a meaningful proposition (idea).

Examples of Independent Clauses

Here are some examples of independent clauses (shaded):

Tara ate a cheese roll after she watched the news.

(Tara ate a cheese roll is an independent clause. It works as a standalone sentence.)

Even though his mother was a driving instructor, my cousin failed his driving test six times.

A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing. (Louis Hector Berlioz)

Examples of Dependent Clauses

Here are the same examples with the dependent clauses shaded:

Tara ate a cheese roll after she watched the news.

(The clause after she watched the news is a dependent clause. It does not work as a standalone sentence.)
Even though his mother was a driving instructor, my cousin failed his driving test six times.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
These three dependent clauses (or subordinate clauses as they're also called) could have been independent clauses.
However, the opening word(s) (in these examples after, Even though, and but) turned them into dependent clauses. The
opening words are known as dependent words, the main type of which is subordinating conjunctions.

How Are Clauses Used in Sentences?

Clauses can play a variety of roles in sentences. A clause can act as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.

Noun Clauses

I cannot remember what I said last night.

(In this example, the clause acts like a noun.)
Compare the example above to this:
I cannot remember my speech.
(speech = noun)

Read more about noun clauses.

Adjective Clauses

My dog, who usually refuses to go near the water, dived in the canal to chase a water vole.
(In this example, the clause acts like an adjective.)
Compare the example above to this:

My water-shy dog dived in the canal to chase a water vole.

(water-shy = adjective)
Read more about adjective clauses.
If an adjective clause could be removed without wrecking the sentence (i.e., it just adds additional information), then it
should be offset with commas. (You could equally use brackets or dashes.) A clause which can be safely removed is called
a non-restrictive clause. A restrictive clause, on the other hand, is one which cannot be removed because it's essential to the
sentence. Restrictive clauses are not offset with commas. For example:

The man who lives next door is getting ruder.

(This is an example of a restrictive clause. You cannot remove it. There are no commas.)

Councillor Simon Smith, who lives next door, is getting ruder.

(This is an example of a non-restrictive clause. You can remove it. It's just additional information. That's why there are
commas around it.)
Read more about using commas with which and who.

Adverbial Clauses

He lost his double chin after he gave up beer.

(In this example, the clause acts like an adverb.)
Compare the example above to this:
He lost his double chin recently.
(recently = adverb)

What Are Interrogative Adjectives? (with Examples)

The interrogative adjectives are: whose, what, and which.
Interrogative adjectives modify nouns and are used in interrogative sentences (i.e., questions).

Examples of Interrogative Adjectives

Here are some examples of interrogative adjectives (shaded):

Whose car will they give us?

What car will they give us?
Which car will they give us?
The difference between what and which as interrogative adjectives is very subtle.

What car will they give us?

(In this example, the speaker does not know the choice of cars available. So, you can use what when the options are
unknown.)

Which car will they give us?

(In this example, the speaker does know the choice of cars available.)
This is not a definitive distinction, and most of the time you can use which. Also, which is considered more formal. If you're
unsure, use which.
Now look at this question:

Which is the greater?

(This is not an interrogative adjective. It is an interrogative pronoun. It does not modify a noun. It stands alone.)

What Are Adverbial Clauses? (with Examples)

An adverbial clause (or an adverb clause) is a group of words which plays the role of an adverb. (Like all clauses, an
adverbial clause will contain a subject and a verb.) For example:

Keep hitting the gong hourly.

(normal adverb)
Keep hitting the gong until I tell you to stop.
(adverbial clause)
In the examples above, the normal adverb and adverbial clause both tell us when the gong is to be hit. They are
both adverbs of time. All adverbs (including adverbial clauses) can usually be categorized as one of the following:

Adverbs of Time

An adverb of time states when something happens or how often. An adverb of time often starts with one of the
following subordinating conjunctions: after, as, as long as, as soon as, before, no sooner than, since, until, when, or while.
Here are some examples:

After the game has finished, the king and pawn go into the same box. (Italian Proverb)
I stopped believing in Santa Claus when my mother took me to see him in a department store, and he asked for
my autograph. (Shirley Temple)
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

Adverbs of Place
An adverb of place states where something happens. An adverb of place often starts with a preposition (e.g., in, on, near) or
one of the following subordinating conjunctions: anywhere, everywhere, where, or wherever. Here are some examples:

In a world where there is so much to be done, I felt strongly impressed that there must be something for me to do.
(Dorothea Dix)
I am not afraid of the pen, the scaffold, or the sword. I will tell the truth wherever I please. (Mother Jones)

Adverbs of Manner

An adverb of manner states how something is done. An adverb of manner often starts with one of the following subordinating
conjunctions: as, like, or the way. Here are some examples:

He acts like it is a joke.

We don't have conversations. You talk at me the way a teacher talks to a naughty student.
Except for an occasional heart attack, I feel as young as I ever did. (Robert Benchley)

Adverbs of Degree or Comparison

An adverb of degree states to what degree something is done or offers a comparison. An adverb of degree often starts with
one of the following subordinating conjunctions: than, as...as, so...as, or the...the. Here are some examples:

A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with. (Tennessee Williams)
He is as smart as he is tall.
She is not so bright as she thinks she is.
Sometimes, the verb in an adverb of degree is understood (i.e., not present). For example:

You are taller than I.

(In this example, the verb am has been omitted. This is permissible.)

You are taller than I am.

(This is the full version.)

You are taller than me.

(This is the colloquial version. This version might irk some of your grammar-savvy readers, but it is acceptable.)
Read more about choosing between than I and than me.

Adverbs of Condition

An adverb of condition states the condition for the main idea to come into effect. An adverb of condition often starts
with if or unless. Here are some examples:

If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts. (Albert Einstein)
If the English language made any sense, a catastrophe would be an apostrophe with fur. (Doug Larson)
If all the rich people in the world divided up their money among themselves, there wouldn't be enough to go
around. (Christina Stead, 1903-1983)

Adverbs of Concession

An adverb of concession offers a statement which contrasts with the main idea. An adverb of concession often starts with
one of the following subordinating conjunctions: though, although, even though, while, whereas, or even if. Here are some
examples:

Although golf was originally restricted to wealthy, overweight Protestants, today it's open to anybody who owns
hideous clothing. (Dave Barry)
A loud voice cannot compete with a clear voice, even if it's a whisper. (Barry Neil Kaufman)

Adverbs of Reason

An adverb of reason offers a reason for the main idea. An adverb of reason often starts with one of the following

subordinating conjunctions: as, because, given, or since. Here are some examples:

I don't have a bank account, because I don't know my mother's maiden name. (Paula Poundstone)
Since you are like no other being ever created since the beginning of time, you are incomparable. (Brenda Ueland)

Properties of an Adverbial Clause

Here are the properties of an adverbial clause:

An adverbial clause is an adjunct. This means it can be removed without the sentence being grammatically wrong.
An adverbial clause is a dependent clause. This means it cannot stand alone as meaningful sentence in its own
right.
An adverbial clause usually starts with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., although, because, if, until, when)
An adverbial clause will contain a subject and a verb. (This is what makes it a clause as opposed to a phrase.)

What Is an Interrogative Sentence? (with

Examples)
An interrogative sentence is one that asks a direct question and always ends in a question mark.
The term interrogative sentence is another name for a question.

Examples of Interrogative Sentences

Here are some examples of interrogative sentences:

Has anyone seen my torch?

What's the capital of Peru?
Shall we ask Simon or Jonesy?

Beware Sentences with Indirect Questions

A statement with an indirect question is a declarative sentence and not an interrogative sentence. For example:

I wonder if I'll ever find my torch.

Sarah asked whether anybody had seen her torch.
These are declarative sentences. They are statements not questions.
An indirect question can form part of an interrogative sentence. For example:

Can you tell me what material she likes?

(Direct-question version: What material does she like?)

Could you fetch me when the alarm beeps?

(Direct-question version: When will the alarm beep?)

Did she ask whether I found my torch?

(Direct-question version: Did I find my torch?)

Types of Question

There are three main types of question:

Yes/No Questions.
Example: Is it raining?
(The answer to a yes/no question will be yes or no.)
(Answer to this question: No.)

"Question Word" Questions.

Example: Why are you bored?
(The answer to a "question word" question will be information.)
(Answer: I've seen this film before.)

Choice Questions.
Example: Do you want salsa dip or cheese dip?
(The answer to a choice question will be in the question.)
(Answer: salsa dip)
Read more about forming direct questions.

Other Sentence Types

Here are some examples of other sentence types:
Imperative Sentence
An imperative sentence is a command or a polite request. It ends with an exclamation mark (!) or a full stop / period. For
example:

Get out!
Please depart when the doors open.
Declarative Sentence
A declarative sentence states a fact or an argument and ends with a
full stop (
) / period (
). For example:

Lima is the capital of Peru.

Exclamatory Sentence
An exclamatory sentence expresses excitement or emotion. It ends with an exclamation mark (!). For example:

This is ridiculous!
I love it!
Read more at http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/interrogative_sentence.htm#DRtEQSQdWIcsE3qj.99