Different Types of Adverbs with Useful Adverb Examples

Adverbs are an essential component of English grammar, providing information about how, when, where, and why an action is performed. However, not all adverbs are created equal. There are several different types of adverbs, each with its own unique function and usage. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of adverbs, including adverbs of manner, time, place, frequency, degree, and more.

Types of Adverbs

There are different types of adverbs expressing different meanings. Generally, adverbs tell us how, where, when, how much and with what frequency. Therefore, types of adverbs are classified according to their functions.

Full list of adverbs in English. 

Adverbs of Frequency

We use adverbs of frequency (always, sometimes, often/frequently, normally/generally, usually, occasionally, seldom, rarely/hardly ever, never, etc.) to say how often we do things, or how often things happen.

Adverb Examples:

He always wears a shirt and tie.

She normally eats three meals a day.

I usually buy all my vegetables at the market.

Adverbs of Manner

Adverbs of manner (such as cheerfully, efficiently, painfully, secretly, quietly, peacefully, carefully, slowly, badly, closely, easily, well, fast, quickly, etc. ) tell us how something happens or is done. They are usually placed either after the main verb or after the object.

Adverb Examples:

The children were playing happily with their toys.

The police dealt with the incident very efficiently.

Birds sang cheerfully in the trees.

Adverbs of Time

Time adverbs (now, yesterday, soon, later, tomorrow, yet, already, tonight, today, then, last month/year,…) tell us about when something happens. There are two main categories of time adverbs: definite time and indefinite time.

Definite Time

Definite time adverbs refer to specific points in time. They can be used to indicate the exact moment or frequency of an event. Some common definite time adverbs include:

• Points of time: now, then, today, tomorrow, tonight, yesterday
• Frequency: annually, daily, fortnightly, hourly, monthly, nightly, quarterly, weekly, yearly

Example sentences using definite time adverbs:

• She will arrive tomorrow.
• They have a meeting weekly.
• He finished the project yesterday.

Indefinite Time

Indefinite time adverbs, on the other hand, do not give an exact time frame. They provide a general idea of the occurrence or frequency of an event. Some common indefinite time adverbs are:

• always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never, ever, occasionally, repeatedly

Example sentences using indefinite time adverbs:

• She often visits her parents.
• They rarely watch movies.
• We occasionally go on hikes.

Adverbs of Place

Place adverbs (off, above, abroad, far, on, away, back, here, out, outside, backwards, behind, in, below, down, indoors, downstairs, inside, nearby, near, over, there, towards, under, up, upstairs, where, everywhere, elsewhere, anywhere, nowhere, somewhere…) tell us about where something happens or where something is. They are placed after the main verbs of after the clause that they modify.

Static Location

Static Location adverbs indicate a fixed position or location, without specifying any movement. Some examples of static location adverbs are:

• here: The book is lying here on the table.
• there: She is waiting there for you.
• inside: The dog is hiding inside the house.
• outside: It’s cold outside.
• everywhere: They splattered the milk everywhere!

Direction

Direction adverbs, on the other hand, illustrate a movement or path that an action moves along. They can convey the distance, direction, or route. Examples of direction adverbs include:

• up: He looked up at the sky.
• upstairs: She went upstairs to get her bag.
• around: They walked around the block.
• away: The bird flew away from the tree.

Adverbs of Degree

Degree adverbs (quite, fairly, too, enormously, entirely, very, extremely, rather, almost, absolutely, just, barely, completely, enough, deeply, enormously, fully, greatly, hardly, incredibly, practically, scarcely, barely, somewhat, terribly, virtually, …) express degrees of qualities, properties, states, conditions and relations.

Examples of Adverbs:

He was quite agreeable to accepting the plan.

I’m not absolutely certain I posted it.

The building was completely destroyed.

Adverbs of Evaluation

Evaluative adverbs are used by the speaker to comment or give an opinion on something. Evaluative adverbs modify the entire clause.

There are several types of adverbs of evaluation, which can be classified according to their function. Some give information about how certain we consider something to be, others express our attitude (negative or positive) about something, while others are used to pass judgement on someone’s actions. Some of the most common evaluative adverbs for each function are listed below:

Adverbs of Certainty

We can use the evaluative adverbs to state how certain we are about something, such as apparently, clearly, definitely, doubtfully, doubtlessly, obviously, presumably, probably, undoubtedly, etc.

Adverbs Examples:

David is clearly unhappy to be here.

Apparently, we’re going to have to work harder.

Obviously, we don’t want to spend too much money.

Adverbs of Attitude

We can use the evaluative adverbs to make our attitude about something clear, such as astonishingly, frankly, fortunately, honestly, hopefully, interestingly, luckily, sadly, seriously, surprisingly, unbelievably, etc.

Examples:

Hopefully, he will reach the top.

Honestly, I could’t eat another bite.

Frankly, I think the Internet is overrated.

Adverbs of Judgement

We can use the evaluative adverbs to make judgments about someone’s actions, including our own, such as bravely, carelessly, fairly, foolishly, generously, kindly, rightly, spitefully, stupidly, unfairly, wisely, wrongly, etc.

Examples:

She kindly lent me her bicycle.

The jacket is very generously cut.

I carelessly broke the glass.

Conjunctive Adverbs (Linking Adverbs)

Linking adverbs are adverbs that are used to link ideas or clauses in spoken discourse or written text. (Such as accordingly, besides, comparatively, conversely, equally, further, hence, in comparison, incidentally, namely, next, now, rather, undoubtedly, additionally, anyway, certainly, elsewhere, finally, in addition, in contrast, indeed, moreover, nonetheless, similarly, subsequently, thereafter, yet, also, meanwhile, consequently, nevertheless, finally, next, furthermore, otherwise, however, still, indeed, then, instead, therefore, likewise, thus, etc). They could also be called conjunctive adverbs in so far as they perform the same sort of function as conjunctions.

Examples:

Furthermore, they had not consulted with her.

Some of the laws were contradictory. Accordingly, measures were taken to clarify them.

I don’t want to go; besides, I’m too tired.

Adverb Examples | Images

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main categories of adverbs?

There are several main types of adverbs, including adverbs of manner, adverbs of place, adverbs of time, adverbs of frequency, adverbs of degree, and adverbs of certainty.

How can adverbs be classified by their function?

Adverbs can be classified by their function within a sentence. Some of the main functions are:

1. Manner: Describe how an action takes place (e.g., quickly, smoothly, silently).
2. Place: Indicate where the action occurs (e.g., here, there, everywhere).
3. Time: Reference when the action takes place (e.g., now, later, yesterday).
4. Frequency: Express how often an action occurs (e.g., always, usually, never).
5. Degree: Denote the intensity or level of a verb, adjective, or adverb (e.g., very, quite, too).
6. Certainty: Convey the speaker’s certainty about an action or event (e.g., certainly, probably, maybe).

What are examples of adverbs of manner?

Adverbs of manner describe how an action is performed. Examples include carefully (e.g., She walked carefully across the room.), slowly (e.g., He spoke slowly.), and quietly (e.g., She whispered quietly.).

Can you provide examples of adverbs of frequency?

Adverbs of frequency indicate how frequently an action occurs. Examples include always (e.g., She always wakes up early.), often (e.g., He visits his family quite often.), and rarely (e.g., They rarely eat out.).

What are the different types of adverbs of place?

Adverbs of place describe the location where the action occurs. Some common types include:

1. Direction: Up, down, left, right (e.g., She looked up at the sky.)
2. Position: Here, there, away (e.g., They waited here for their friends.)
3. Distance: Near, far, close (e.g., The store is near our house.)

How are adverbs of time used in sentences?

Adverbs of time indicate when the action takes place. They can be used to provide information about the past, present, or future. Examples include yesterday (e.g., She arrived yesterday.), today (e.g., We have a meeting today.), and tomorrow (e.g., He will start his new job tomorrow.).