Adverbials

Definition

Adverbials are words, phrases, or clauses that provide additional information about a verb, adjective, or another adverb in a sentence. They often express aspects like time, manner, place, frequency, and degree, helping to clarify how, when, where, or to what extent something happens. Adverbials can be essential for conveying modality without the use of modal verbs, allowing speakers to express attitudes, intentions, and degrees of certainty.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Adverbials can be single words (like 'quickly') or more complex structures (like 'with great enthusiasm').
2. They help convey nuances of meaning and can indicate a speaker's attitude or intention without explicitly using modal verbs.
3. Adverbials can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence and their placement can affect the sentence's emphasis.
4. In addition to expressing modality, adverbials can also provide context for the action described by the verb, making them integral to sentence meaning.
5. Different languages may handle adverbials in unique ways; for example, some languages have specific affixes or structures that indicate modality more directly than English.

Review Questions

• How do adverbials contribute to expressing modality in sentences without using modal verbs?
  • Adverbials enhance sentences by providing context that reflects the speaker's attitude or intention. For example, using phrases like 'probably' or 'likely' allows speakers to convey uncertainty or probability without resorting to modal verbs like 'might' or 'could.' By incorporating adverbials that indicate degree or certainty, such as 'definitely' or 'maybe,' speakers can effectively express modality through their choice of words and phrases.
• Discuss the role of different types of adverbials in enriching sentence structure and meaning.
  • Different types of adverbials play distinct roles in sentence structure. For instance, adverbs can modify how an action is performed (manner), while prepositional phrases may indicate when or where an action takes place. This variety allows for greater depth in communication. By utilizing different kinds of adverbials, writers can paint a clearer picture of their message and create more engaging narratives that resonate with readers.
• Evaluate the impact of adverbial placement on sentence clarity and emphasis in relation to modality expression.
  • The placement of adverbials significantly impacts both clarity and emphasis within a sentence. For instance, starting a sentence with an adverbial can foreground the context before introducing the action, making it clear from the outset what aspect is emphasized. Additionally, placing an adverbial at the end can create a punchy conclusion that reinforces the degree of certainty. Thus, careful placement allows writers to manipulate the flow of information and highlight key modalities effectively.

Related terms

Adverbs:

Words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, typically indicating when, where, how, or to what extent something occurs.

Prepositional Phrases:

Phrases that begin with a preposition and end with a noun or pronoun, often functioning as adverbials to indicate location or time.

Modal Verbs: Verbs that express necessity or possibility (like 'can', 'should', and 'must'), which can be complemented by adverbials to clarify the degree of modality.