Syntactic functions of adverbs

The main function of adverbs is that of adverbial modifier. For example: They got up early in the morning. (adverbial modifier of time) The travelers were walking eastward, (adverbial modifier of direction) He began to work very deliberately and carefully, (very — adverbial modifier of degree; deliberately, carefully — adverbial modifiers of manner) He worked so hard that eventually made himself ill. (adverbial modifier of cause)

Besides adverbs may be used as part of a compound predicate: At last the holidays are here. Where is your home? — It's over there. (See 7.5.)

Ш EXERCISES

1. Comment on the morphological status, lexical class and syntactic function of the italicized adverbs in the sentences below:

a) This widely practised approach is undoubtedly very successful, as can be judged by millions who succeed in mastering foreign languages.

b) Formerly, people taking on the role of chairman were exclusively male, and the word was obviously origi­nally a compound of chair and man.

c) Moreover, it is highly probable that the way in which the usage of gentleman — lady, man — woman differs reflects, and presumably also reinforces, different attitudes in our society to men and women and to sex roles generally.

d) It is commonplace to find children who can read far better than they can spell. More surprisingly, the reverse happens with some children in the early stages of reading.

e) It is only occasionally that the adoption of a social role requires the learning of a completely different lan­guage. For instance, a knowledge of Latin is required in traditional Roman catholic practice.

f) So, if you make a mistake in on of the following sentences, it is very definitely a Mistake, from the point of view of Standard English. But it is important to put the error in perspective. Some mistakes are serious, in that you end up saying or writing something quite different from what you intended. But other are not too serious, in that it may be perfectly clear from the context what you meant. Sometimes, even the mistake won't be noticed — especially in the rush of conversation.

2. Choose the right word and define the part of speech it belongs to:

1. Firm, firmly: a) I... believe that we are justified in taking this course of action, b) Our army stood... in the face of a terrible onslaught, c) The pound stayed... in London, d) She has a good... handshake.

2. Close, closely: a) Although he came very..., he didn't win the race, b) We live... by. c) The two points are... connected, d) The question of wo­men's rights is a subject... to her heart.

3. Dear, dearly: a) Her decision to marry him cost her.... b) He paid... for the mistake.

4. Wide, widely: a) The dentist told me to open my mouth.... b) He stood with his legs... apart.

5. Late. Lately: a) He married... in life, b) We haven't been there....

3. State whether the italicized words in the sentences below are adverbs or prepositions:

1.  a) The children are playing inside because it's raining, b) The present was inside the box.

2. a) The new road will be completed before the end of the year, b) We had met on Saturday before.

3. a) We flew over the clouds, b) I heard some noises from the room over.

4. a) We walked along the road, b) She cycled along, singing happily.

5. a) The lamp is hanging over the table, b) The milk is boiling over, c) If we can't go over the mountain we must go round it. d) Come over and see us later.

6. a) He stood outside the door, b) It's quite dark outside.

7. a) When I drew back the curtains, there outside the window stood a crowd of people looking in. b) Look in the cupboard and see whether we have any more coffee.

8. a) I don't want to go; besides, I'm too tired, b) Besides being a professional pianist, he is also a keen amateur singer.

4. State whether the italicized forms below are pre­positional or phrasal verbs:

a) 1. I hate to see accidents, so I looked away as we passed the scene of the crash. 2. If you look beyond the trees, you can just the farm in the distance. 3. When you are on a high ladder, don't look down or you might fall. 4. Many people who enjoy fast sports are looking for

excitement. 5. It wasn't raining when I last looked out.

6. She is looked upon as a very promising young singer.

7. The shop looks out into a busy street. 8. I'll look your suggestion through before passing it to the committee. 9. I

. looked through the open door, but the room was empty. 10. You have to look at these things as a scientist.

b) 1. The boy takes after his father. 2. Does this toy take apart so that the child can find out how it works? 3. The shop has promised to take back any unsatisfactory goods. 4. Taking up a child under each arm, she ran from the fire. 5. You can't take away these books, they are for reading in the library.

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