LoginAdverbial Phrases
In this lesson we learn about adverbial phrases, which are essential groups of words that function as adverbs to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Clear explanations and practice exercises to help you learn.
What Is an Adverbial Phrase?
Adverbial Phrases: Structure
Some adverbial phrases can be made with prepositions, others made with intensifiers or a combination of both.
Prepositional Phrase
Adverb + Adverb
Adverb + Prepositional Phrase
Adverbial Phrases Made with Prepositions
Adverbial phrases can be made with most prepositions. In this case, the prepositional phrase functions as an adverb in the sentence, as it modifies the verb. It is both a prepositional phrase and an adverbial phrase. Take a look at some examples:
In summer, we often slept under the stars.
'Under the stars' is a phrase that uses the preposition 'under' and the object 'stars', and modifies the verb 'slept'.
I arrived in Colorado in the early afternoon.
Adverbial Phrases Made with Intensifiers
Another kind of adverbial phrase is made with an intensifier, e.g., 'very,' 'extremely,' 'really,' etc. which modifies the degree or intensity of another adverb. Take a look at some examples:
The traffic's moving very slowly this morning.
The students studied extremely hard for the exam.
Adverbial Phrases Made with Intensifiers and Prepositional Phrases
Sometimes and intensifier can come before a prepositional phrase and modify it to form an adverbial phrase. For example:
She sings very in tune.
Here, the intensifier "very" modifies the prepositional phrase "in tune" which acts as an adverb.
The painting looked extremely out of place in the modern gallery.
Adverbial Phrases: Functions
Adverbial phrases can provide information about the place, time, or manner of an action or state described by a verb, although they may also serve other functions.
Adverbial Phrases of Place
Adverbial phrases of place describe where something happens. For example:
The bats live in the heart of caves and tunnels.
Adverbial Phrases of Time
Adverbial phrases of time describe when or how often something happens. For example:
The bats hunt in the middle of the night.
Describing 'when' something happens.
Adverbial Phrases of Manner
These phrases describe how something happens or is done. For example:
The bats fly very quickly.
Adverbial Phrases: Position in a Sentence
Adverbial phrases can appear in various positions in a sentence, depending on what they are modifying and the emphasis you want to give to certain parts of the sentence. One of the most common positions for adverbials is after the main verb.
The shop has been closed for the last few days.
In case the verb has an object or complement, the adverbial phrase is placed after the object or complement.
She baked the cake on Christmas Eve.
We visited our grandparents last weekend.
Adverbials at the Beginning of a Sentence
You can put adverbial phrases at the beginning of a clause. When the adverbial phrase is placed at the beginning of the sentence, it serves to set the context for the entire sentence.
On Christmas Eve, she baked the cake.
Adverbial Phrase vs. Adverbial Clause
An adverbial phrase is a phrase that functions as an adverb.
An adverbial clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb.
**While an adverbial clause has both a subject and a predicate, an adverbial phrase has neither.
The game will take place in the morning.
This is an adverbial phrase as it does not contain a subject and a verb.
The game will take place when both teams are ready.
This is an adverbial clause as it contains a subject "both teams" and a verb "are."
The scene was filmed near the bridge.
The scene was filmed where the bridge crosses the river.
In this adverbial clause, the subject is "the bridge" and the verb is "crosses."
Review
Adverbial phrases are made of multiple adverbs and give more information about the sentence. They are made of prepositions or intensifiers or a combination of both. They are placed:
after the main verb
after the object or complement
at the beginning of a clause to emphasize
Quiz:
Fill in the table with the correct structure of adverbial phrase.
| adverbial phrase | structure |
|---|---|
across the field | |
extremely carefully | |
perfectly in sync | |
very quietly | |
totally at ease | |
during the winter months |
Which of the following sentences contains an adverbial phrase of place?
They walked to the bus stop.
She danced gracefully.
We met at noon for lunch.
He spoke loudly during the presentation.
Match each sentence with its correct adverbial phrase type.
Which of the following sentences does not contain an adverbial phrase?
She sang beautifully at the concert.
We arrived after the rain stopped.
The children played outside all day.
He read the book during the summer.
Fill in the blanks with the correct words based on the content of the lesson. (There are three extra options.)
Adverbial phrases are groups of words that function as an
in a sentence.
Adverbial phrases can sometimes include an
, such as "very," "extremely," or "really."
A phrase like "in the afternoon" modifies the verb to describe
the action takes place.
An adverbial phrase of
modifies a verb by telling us where the action occurs.
Adverbial phrases can appear at the
of a sentence to set the context for the entire sentence.
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