ADVERBS MODIFYING DETERMINERS, NUMERALS

AND PRONOUNS

• Adverbs such as almost, nearly, hardly, about, etc., can be used in the following ways:

Example:

• Almost everybody came in the end.

• Not many people attended the party.

• Nearly twenty cars were damaged in the earthquake.

• Adverbs can modify adjectives, but an adjectives cannot modify an adverb.

• Thus, it is possible to say that: The students showed a really positive change The students showed a positively tremendous

improvementMy lecturer is totally upset.

• But not:-

Χ He works total hard.

• Like adjectives, adverbs can have comparative and superlative forms to show degree:-

Examples:Speak louder if you want me to hear you.The student who finishes the fastest will be

given a prize.

• More and most, less and least to show the degree with adverb:

Examples:Barefooted, the thief could run more

quickly.The dresses were the most beautifully

tailored creations I've ever chosen.She worked less hard after her accident.That was the least skillfully staged

performance I've seen in many years.

• An adverb can also be used without the 'ly' form as in:

He always arrives late.

• On the other hand, the adverb 'lately' carries a different meaning:

Lately, he never arrives on time.In some cases, the adverb form without the 'ly'

is used for casual situations:She certainly drives slow in her new

Mercedes.He spoke sharp and quick.

• Adverbs can also function as intensifiers, conveying a greater or lesser emphasis to actions.

• There are three kinds of intensifiers: emphasise, amplify or downtone.

Examples:Emphasisers:I really don't want the children to be here.He casually walked into the house.He simply ignored all warnings.

Amplifiers:Her husband completely rejected her wish.The wife absolutely refuses to accept his gift.She so hated him.

Downtoners:• She sort of felt betrayed by him.• Yannie mildly disapproved his idea.• The relationship can be improved to some

extent.

EXERCISES

IDENTIFY ADVERBS

1. The ballerina danced gracefully.

2. There is not much salt left in the jar.

3. Those who arrived early shall receive a reward.

4.He was slightly offended by his remarks.

5.The monkey went completely banana over bananas.

6.Santa Claus came to town yesterday.

7. She is a friendly teacher.

8. Shawn Michaels worked totally hard for his examination.

9. But it ended up as a total failure.

10. He was very frustrated.

11. So he went absolutely beserk and kick almost everyone within his vision field.

12. About twenty men were injured during the assault.