The Grammatical Adverbial in English
Words, Phrases, and Clauses that Modify or Describe an Entire Clause
May 28, 2009
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:
- Adverb phrase
- Prepositional phrase
- Noun phrase
- Verb phrase
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The five grammatical forms that can function as the adverbial in the English language are adverb phrases, prepositional phrases, noun phrases, verb phrases, and adverb clauses. Both native speakers and ESL students must learn the five grammatical forms to correctly construct sentences that contain adverbials in both spoken and written English.
Sources
Hopper, Paul J. A Short Course in Grammar. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1999.
Huddleston, Rodney. Introduction to the Grammar of English. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 1984.
Kosur, Heather Marie. "The Form-Function Method for Teaching Grammar: Learning English Grammar by Studying Grammatical Form and Function." Suite 101. 16 Apr. 2009. Suite 101. 28 May. 2009.
O'Dwyer, Bernard. Modern English Structures: Form, Function, and Position. Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview Press, 2000.
