The New Student's Reference Work/Adverb

Ad′verb (Latin adverbium, from ad, to + verbum, word, verb). In grammar, an adverb is a word used to modify the meaning of a verb, an adjective or another adverb. It is essentially “the word” of a sentence, and has a number of functions, in showing how, where and when a given action is performed, besides its general use as a modifier. Adverbs are classed as follows: (1) those of place, used in answering the questions Where? Whence? Whither? Of these the following are some examples: here, there, when, forth, far, etc; (2) those of time, answering questions When? How often? How long? Ex: once, ago, always, seldom, now, then, etc.; (3) those of manner, answering the question How? Ex: then, so, how, well, fast, chiefly, wholly, slowly, etc. Many of this class are derived from adjectives by adding ly; (4) those of degree, answering the question How much? Ex: less, least, enough, more, most, scarcely, etc.; (5) those of cause, answering the question Why? Ex: hence, wherefore, therefore, consequently, accordingly, etc. When used to ask questions, these adverbs of the various classes are termed interrogative adverbs. The words soon, away, sometimes, often, are used only as adverbs; while other words, such as early, late, fast, etc., are sometimes adverbs and sometimes adjectives, according as we use them. Many adjectives become adverbs by adding ly, as violent, violently, swift, swiftly, slow, slowly, etc. A few adverbs, like adjectives, are compared, such as soon, sooner, soonest; often, oftener, oftenest; long, longer, longest, etc.; some also are compared by the use of the adverbs more and most, less and least. Ex: wickedly, more wickedly, most wickedly; quickly, less quickly, least quickly. For other details and examples in the use of adverbs see any good text-book on grammar.