Grammar to go

A guide to parts of speech

 José Luis Flores Lomas

To my beloved wife and son:

May God bless the ties of our kinship;
Thank you both for boarding our ship and
never letting it founder notwithstanding all
the hardship.
Preface
For years, I have devoted myself to the study of English, especially of its morphology and syntax, and

have never found a book that can provide all the answers to my questions or to those of my students.

Nevertheless, the language being alive and ever-changing, it is conspicuous that very few books can progress

at the same rate. Some dictionaries can acceptably furnish us with accurate insights into what part of speech a

word may be inside any given sentence, but only to a certain degree; then, we are on our own.

What about the syntactic function? Well, we can not deny that the semantics of words is connected to both

the part of speech and syntactic function of a word; however, there is a tendency, in many English books,

towards mixing them up and seeing them all as one, for example:

This weather feels good

Some books and teachers would tell us that the word this is a demonstrative adjective instead of a determiner,

and that the word good functions as an adjective when the syntactic function of an adjective and of a

determiner is actually complement either predicative or attributive.

Obviously, this mixture not only confuses teachers and students alike, but also begets more problems than

solutions; therefore, as a response to the dire need that students and teachers have to distinguish them all

(parts of speech and the syntactic functions) as independent words and concepts, this book will provide that

separation of concepts with an approach very easy to use and to understand, trying to help anybody who

would like to venture into the shores of the realm of English morphology and syntax.
Table of contents
1. Nouns
 Unit IV Verbs
Verbs are words that either express an action or provide information about the subject.
Leon never imagined that this young girl would become so important to him.
In the example above, there are two verbs imagined and become, each of which has its own subject. The verb
imagined expresses an action performed by Leon whilst become gives information about this young girl.
There are three major categories of verbs depending on how they function inside a sentence:

Verb categories Examples

I. Full verbs
These are words that can only work as main verbs. love, fear, hail, type etc.

II. Primary auxiliary verbs

These words can work either as main verbs or as be, do, and have
auxiliary verbs.

III. Modal auxiliary verbs

can, shall, may, might, will, ought to,
These words can only work as auxiliary verbs (i.e.
could, have to, would, should, and must
they can not stand alone as a main verb).

I.Full verbs
Based on their morphology, full verbs can be divided into regular and irregular full verbs. Although the
–s form and the –ing participle are the same for both, regular and irregular verbs, the past form and the –
ed participle of irregular verbs do differ from those of regular verbs, which have only four different forms
These verbs have five forms according to their morphology:

Morphological forms Regular verbs Irregular verbs

1. bare infinitive form lurk scan wind arise

2. Third person –s form lurks scans winds arises

3. –ing participle lurking scanning winding arising

4. past form lurked scanned wound arose

5. –ed participle lurked scanned wound arisen

 Regular verbs spelling

 The conjugation of regular verbs is as follows:

General spelling rules for regular

Formula Example
verbs

creak + –s = creaks
The –s form verb + –s
smell + –s = smells

creak + –ing = creaking

The –ing participle form verb + –ing
smell + –ing = smelling

creak + –ed = creaked

The past form or –ed participle verb + –ed
smell + –ed = smelled

* These rules usually apply to most regular verbs except (1) to those in which the final consonant has to be doubled as
in bar changing to barring; (2) to those in which the letter –e must be either dropped or included (like in create to
creating); or, finally, (3) to those verbs in which a –y is changed for an –i or vice versa: try changing to tried or die to
dying:

(1) Double consonant before –ing or –ed

The last consonant of a word is doubled before –ing or –ed when the preceding vowel is stressed and spelt with a
single letter:

pit - pitting – pitted knit - knitting – knitted proˈpel - propelling – propelled oˈccur - occurring - occurred

* However, if the preceding vowel is unstressed or has two or more letters, the last consonant will not be doubled:

ˈvisit - visiting – visited boil - boiling – boiled

* Irrespective of the rules above, some words with an unstressed preceding vowel have their last consonant doubled;
this doubling is pretty natural in British English, yet in American English this is only seen as a not-quite-favoured
alternative:

I. verbs ending in –l: ˈTravel is spelt travelling or travelled in B.E.

Dial changes to dialled or to dialling.

II. verbs ending in –m: ˈProgram is spelt programmed or programming.

III. Verbs ending in –p: ˈWorship, ˈhandicap, and ˈkidnap have their last consonant doubled as in
worshipping,

kidnapped, and handicapped.

* Most verbs ending in –p and with an unstressed vowel do not have their last consonant doubled neither in British nor
in American English:

Develop and gallop are respectively spelt developed or developing and galloped or galloping.

IV. Verbs ending in –g:

Verbs with an unstressed vowel that end in –g have it doubled:

ˈhumbug - humbugged – humbugging

* But in American English, the word ˈcatalog is written cataloged and cataloging.

V. Verbs ending in –c

When verbs end in a vowel followed by –c, the doubling takes place but by writing –ck:

ˈpanic – panicking – panicked ˈtraffic – trafficking – trafficked

VI. Verbs ending in –s

Those verbs that end in a vowel followed by –s have two spellings:

bus - bus(s)ing - bus(s)ed focus - focus(s)ing - focus(s)ed

(2) Omitting –e

When the verb ends in a mute (silent) –e, the –e is dropped when using the –ing or the –ed forms:

shave – shaving – shaved rake – raking – raked type – typing – typed

* Monosyllabic verbs ending in –ye, -oe, and –nge do not follow this rule, for they do not lose the –e before –ing but
they do before –ed:

dye – dying – dyed singe – singeing – singed hoe – hoeing – hoed

* Verbs that end in –ie or –ee lose their –e before –ed:

tie – tied die – died agree – agreed

(3) Adding –e

I. An –e is added before the –s ending after the following letters representing sibilant consonants:

–s pass – passes

–z buzz – buzzes

–x wax – waxes

–sh dash – dashes

–ch watch – watches

II. An –e is added after –o:

go – goes do – does echo – echoes veto – vetoes

(4) Changing or keeping –y

When verbs that end in a –y preceded by a consonant , two kinds of changes take place:

I. –y changes to –ie before an –s form:

dry – dries deny – denies carry – carries

II. –y changes to –i before an –ed past or participle form:

dry – dried deny – denied carry – carried

* Nevertheless, the –y remains when it follows a vowel or when it precedes the –ing form:
 stay – stayed deploy – deployed stay – staying carry – carrying cry – crying

III. Verbs that end in –ie have it changed to –y before the –ing form:

die – dying lie – lying tie – tying

ii. Irregular full verbs

Irregular full verbs –s and –ing forms are similar to those in regular verbs, but their main difference is
that the –ed past and participle forms are completely irregular:
Characteristics of irregular verbs

1. Irregular verbs either do not have the –ed form or have a variant of it using –t:

burn – burned/burnt – burned/burnt dream – dreamed/dreamt – dreamed/dreamt

2. Irregular verbs usually vary in their base vowel, a phenomenon called Gradation, whose explanation is historical and
characteristic of Indo-European languages:

choose – chose – chosen write – wrote – written

3. Irregular verbs have varying forms, which is why their listing is divided into the base form, the –ed past form and
the –ed participle form:

do – did – done cost – cost – cost buy – bought – bought

List of irregular verbs

Base form -ed past form -ed participle form

abide abode, abided abode, abided

arise arose arisen

awake awoke, awaked awoken, awaked

be was, were been

bear bore born

beat beat beaten, beat

become became become

befall befell befallen

beget begot begotten

begin began begun

behold beheld beheld

bend bent bent

bereave bereft, bereaved bereft, bereaved

beseech besought, beseeched besought, beseeched

beset beset beset

bestride bestrode bestridden, bestrid, bestrode

bet bet, betted bet, betted

betake betook betaken

bid bad(e), bid bade, bid, bidden

bind bound bound

bite bit bitten, bit

bleed bled bled

blow blew blown

break broke broken

breed bred bred

bring brought brought

broadcast broadcast broadcast

build built built

burn burnt, burned burnt, burned

burst burst burst

bust bust, busted bust, busted

buy bought bought

cast cast cast

catch caught caught

chide chid, chided chidden, chid, chided

choose chose chosen

cleave cleft, clove, cleaved cleft, clove, cleaved

cling clung clung

come came come

cost cost cost

creep crept crept

cut cut cut

deal dealt dealt

 dig dug dug

dive dived, dove dived

do did done

draw drew drawn

dream dreamt, dreamed dreamt, dreamed

drink drank drunk

drive drove driven

dwell dwelt, dwelled dwelt, dwelled

eat ate eaten

fall fell fallen

feed fed fed

feel felt felt

fight fought fought

find found found

fit fit fit

flee fled fled

fling flung flung

fly flew flown

forbear forbore forborne

forbid forbade, forbad forbidden, forbid

forecast forecast forecast

foresee foresaw foreseen

foretell foretold foretold

forget forgot forgotten, forgot

forgive forgave forgiven

forgo forwent forgone

forsake forsook forsaken

forswear forswore forsworn

freeze froze frozen

gainsay gainsaid gainsaid

 get got got, gotten <AmE>

give gave given

go went gone

grind ground ground

grow grew grown

hamstring hamstrung hamstrung

hang hung, hanged hung, hanged

have had had

hear heard heard

heave heaved, hove heaved, hove

hew hewed hewn, hewed

hide hid hidden, hid

hit hit hit

hold held held

hurt hurt hurt

keep kept kept

kneel knelt, kneeled knelt, kneeled

knit knitted, knit knitted, knit

know knew known

lay laid laid

lead led led

lean leant, leaned leant, leaned

leap leapt, leaped leapt, leaped

learn learnt, learned learnt, learned

leave left left

lend lent lent

let let let

lie lay lain

light lit, lighted lit, lighted

lose lost lost

 make made made

mean meant meant

meet met met

miscast miscast miscast

mishear misheard misheard

mislay mislaid mislaid

mislead misled misled

misspell misspelt, misspelled misspelt, misspelled

misspend misspent misspent

mistake mistook mistaken

misunderstand misunderstood misunderstood

mow mowed mown, mowed

offset offset offset

outbid outbid outbid, outbidden

outdo outdid outdone

outfight outfought outfought

outgrow outgrew outgrown

outrun outran outrun

outshine outshone outshone

overbear overbore overborne

overcast overcast overcast

overcome overcame overcome

overdo overdid overdone

overeat overate overeaten

overfeed overfed overfed

overhang overhung overhung

override overrode overridden

overrun overran overrun

oversee oversaw overseen

overshoot overshot overshot

oversleep overslept overslept

overtake overtook overtaken

overthrow overthrew overthrown

partake partook partaken

pay paid paid

plead pleaded, pled pleaded, pled

prove proved proved, proven

put put put

quit quit, quitted quit, quitted

read read read

rebind rebound rebound

rebuild rebuilt rebuilt

recast recast recast

redo redid redone

remake remade remade

rend rent rent

repay repaid repaid

reread reread reread

reset reset reset

restring restrung restrung

retell retold retold

rethink rethought rethought

rewind rewound rewound

rewrite rewrote rewritten

rid rid, ridden rid, ridden

ride rode ridden

ring rang, rung rung

rise rose risen

run ran run

saw sawed sawn, sawed

 say said said

see saw seen

seek sought sought

sell sold sold

send sent sent

set set set

sew sewed sewn, sewed

shake shook shaken

shave shaved shaved, shaven

shear sheared shorn, sheared

shed shed shed

shine shone, shined shone, shined

shoe shod, shoed shod, shoed

shoot shot shot

show showed shown, showed

shred shredded, shred shredded, shred

shrink shrank, shrunk shrunk

shrive shrived, shrove shrived, shriven

shut shut shut

sing sang, sung sung

sink sank, sunk sunk

sit sat sun

slay slew slain

sleep slept slept

slide slid slid

sling slung slung

slink slunk slunk

slit slit slit

smell smelt, smelled smelt, smelled

smite smote smitten

 sow sowed sown, sowed

speak spoke spoken

speed sped, speeded sped, speeded

spell spelt, spelled spelt, spelled

spend spent spent

spill spilt, spilled spilt, spilled

spin spun, span spun

spit spat, spit spat, spit

split split split

spoil spoilt, spoiled spoilt, spoiled

spread spread spread

spring sprang, sprung sprung

stand stood stood

steal stole stolen

stick stuck stuck

sting stung stung

stink stank, stunk stunk

strew strewed strewn, strewed

stride strode stridden, strid, strode

strike struck struck

string strung strung

strive strove, strived striven, strived

swear swore sworn

sweat sweat, sweated sweat, sweated

sweep swept swept

swell swelled swollen, swelled

swim swam, swum swum

swing swung swung

take took taken

teach taught taught

 tear tore torn

telecast telecast telecast

tell told told

think thought thought

thrive thrived, throve thrived, thriven

throw threw thrown

thrust thrust thrust

tread trod trodden, trod

unbend unbent unbent

underbid underbid underbid, underbidden

undergo underwent undergone

understand understood understood

undertake undertook undertaken

underwrite underwrote underwritten

undo undid undone

unfreeze unfroze unfrozen

unwind unwound unwound

uphold upheld upheld

upset upset upset

wake woke, waked woken, waked

waylay waylaid waylaid

wear wore worn

weave wove woven

wed wedded, wed wedded, wed

weep wept wept

wet wetted, wet wetted, wet

win won won

wind wound wound

withdraw withdrew withdrawn

withhold withheld withheld

 withstand withstood withstood

wring wrung wrung

write wrote written

II. Primary auxiliary verbs (be, do, and have)

The primary auxiliary verbs, be, do, and have, can stand as verbs and auxiliaries; as auxiliaries they
share the grammatical categories of tense, aspect, and voice, which can no be said about modals since the
latter usually convey possibility, obligation, or volition.

 Be
The verb be can (1) stand as a main verb; as an aspect auxiliary, it can (2) have two functions: perfect
and progressive; and it can (3) work as a passive auxiliary:
(1) My computer is great. Are you nuts?
(2) We are suffering from a psychotic episode, aren’t we? She has been smoking all morning.
(3) I was given a painkiller. Your homework must be delivered by Tuesday.
Furthermore, the verb to be in unique since it has eight different forms:
Forms ( be) non-negative uncontracted negative contracted negative

Base be

Present am am not
(aren’t)
1st person singular ‘m ‘m not

is is not
3rd person singular isn’t
‘s ‘s not

2nd person singular are not

are aren’t
1st and 3rd person plural ‘re not

Past
was was not wasn’t
1st and 3rd person singular

2nd person singular were not

were weren’t
1st, and 3rd person plural ‘re not

-ing participle form being not being

-ed participle form been not been

 Have
The verb have can work as an auxiliary to convey the perfect aspect, and it combines with –ed
participles to create verb phrases:
 Happiness has come to me once again. We have decided not to tell anyone.
Forms (have) non-negative uncontracted negative contracted negative

Base have have not haven’t

–s form has has not hasn’t

Past form had had not hadn’t

–ing participle form having not having

–ed participle form had

When the verb have functions as a verb, it can be combined with primary and modal auxiliaries:
Do you have a cigarette? I haven’t had any affairs. We shall soon have some news.
* The informal construction have got, usually preferred in British English, is a common alternative to have in
negative and interrogative clauses with the following meanings:

Meanings Examples

a) We haven’t

Possession b) We haven’t got any coffee.

c) We don’t have

a) Have you a) No, I haven’t.

Relationship b) Have you got any money? b) No, I haven’t.

c) Do you have c) No, I don’t.

a) I haven’t

Health b) I haven’t got any pain.

c) I don’t have

 Do
The verb do, just as be and have, can stand as a verb and as an auxiliary without meaning:
Forms (do) non-negative uncontracted negative contracted negative

Base do do not don’t

–s form does does not doesn’t

Past form did did not didn’t

–ing participle form doing

–ed participle form done

 The verb do is used in periphrastic constructions as a meaning-empty operator:

Examples of periphrastic constructions

1) Negative indicative clauses in simple present She doesn’t need to go.

or past I did not mean to hurt you.

2) Questions involving subject-verb inversion Did you miss me?

(present and past) Does it really matter?

I know you, don’t I?

3) Tag questions
They did not say, did they?

Seldom do you hear such mistakes.

4) Inversions
Never did I try to change the course of our lives.

He ˈdoes need to hear your voice.

5) Emphatic constructions Mickey ˈdid try to come back.

ˈDo be quiet.

She drives faster than you do.

6) Reduced clauses
Did you buy a new LCD screen? No, but Jaden did.

III.Modal auxiliaries
Modals are auxiliary verbs whose form never changes and never take the –s, –ing, or –ed forms. They
expres modality: volition, probability, and obligation, and are followed by a bare infinitive form (an infinitive
without to):
May I be of any use to you? She can’t have done that!

Modal
meaning and uses Examples
auxiliaries

1. It is used to say that sth is necessary or very

All visitors must report to reception.
important (sometimes involving a rule or a law)

MUST 2. It used to say that sth is likely or logical. You must be hungry after all that walking.

3. It is used to recommend that sb does sth because

You simply must read this book
you think it is a good idea (especially BrE).

WILL 1. It is used for talking about or predicting the future. You’ll be in time if you hurry.

2. It is used for showing that sb is willing to do sth. I’ll check this letter for you, if you want.

3. It is used for asking sb to do sth. Will you send this letter for me, please?

4. It is used for ordering sb to do sth. You’ll do it this minute!

 5. It is used for stating that what you think is
That’ll be the doctor now.
probably true.

6. It is used for stating what is generally true. If it’s made of wood, it will float.

7. It is used for stating what is true or possible in a

This jar will hold a kilo.
particular case.

She’ll listen to music, alone in her room, for

8. It is used for talking about habits.
hours.

1. It is used to say that it is possible for sb/sth to do

I can run fast.
sth, or for sth to happen.

2. It is used to say that sb knows how to do sth. She can speak Spanish.

3. It is used with the verbs ‘feel’, ‘hear’, ‘see’,

I can hear music.
‘smell’, ‘taste’.

4. It is used to show that sb is allowed to do sth. You can take the car, if you want.

5. It is used to ask permission to do sth (informal). Can I read your newspaper?

CAN 6. It is used to ask sb to help you (informal). Can you help me with this box?

7. It is used in the negative for saying that you are

That can’t be Mary –she’s in New York.
sure sth is not true.

8. It is used to express doubt or surprise. What can they be doing?

9. It is used to say what sb/sth is often to like. He can be very tactless sometimes.

10. It is used to make suggestions. We can eat in a restaurant, if you like.

11. It is used to say that sb must do sth, usually when

You can shut up or get out!
you are angry (informal).

1. It is used to say that sth is possible. This may or may not be true.

2. It is used when admitting that sth is true before He may be a good father but he’s a terrible
introducing another point, argument, etc. husband.

3. It is used to ask for or give permission (formal). May I come in?

MAY 4. It is used as a polite way of making a comment,
You look lovely, if I may say so.
asking a question, etc. (formal).

5. It is used to express wishes and hopes (formal). May she rest in peace.

There is a need for more resources so that all

6. It is used to say what the purpose of sth is (formal).
children may have a decent education.

MIGHT 1. It is used to ask for information (formal). How might the plans be improved upon?

2. It is used when showing that sth is or was possible. He might get there in time. But I can’t be sure.

3. It is used to make a polite suggestion. You might try calling the help desk.

4. It is used to ask permission politely (BrE). Might I use your phone?

 5. It is used to show that you are annoyed about sth
I think you might at least offer to help!
that sb could do or could have done.

6. It is used to say that you are not surpised by sth. I might have guessed it was you!

7. It is used to emphazise that an important point has ‘And where is the money coming from?’ ‘You
been made. might well ask’.

1. It is used as the past form of will when reporting

He said he would be here at eight o’clock.
what sb has said or thought.

2. It is used for talking about the result of an event

She’d look better with shorter hair.
that you imagine.

3. It is used for describing a possible action or event

If I had seen the advertisement in time I would
that did not in fact happen, because sth else did not
have applied for the job.
happen first.

4. It is used to show that sb/sth was not willing or She wouldn’t change it, even though she knew
refused to do sth. it was wrong.
WOULD
Would you mind leaving us alone for a few
5. It is used to ask sb politely to do sth.
minutes?

6. It is used in polite offers or invitations. Would you like a sandwich?

I wouldn´t have any more to drink, if I were

7. It is used to give advice.
you.

8. It is used for talking about things that often When my parents were away, my grandmother
happened in the past. would take care of me.

9. It is used for talking about behavior that you think ‘She said it was your fault’. ‘Well, she would
is typical (usually disapproving). say that, wouldn’t she? She´s never liked me’.

1. It is used as the past tense of ‘can.’ She said that she couldn’t come.

2. It is used to ask if you can do sth. Could I use your phone, please?

3. It is used to politely ask sb to do sth for you. Could you babysit for us on Friday?

4. It is used to show that sth is or might be possible. I could do it now, if you like.
COULD
5. It is used to suggest sth. We could write a letter to the director.

6. It is used to show that you are annoyed that sb did They could have let me know they were going
not do sth. to be late!

7. It is used to emphazise how strongly you want to

I’m so fed up I could scream!
express your feelings (informal).

SHOULD 1. It is used to show what is right or appropriate, etc.

You shoudn’t drink and drive.
(especially when criticizing sb’s actions).

2. It is used for giving or asking for advice. You should stop worrying about it.

3. It is used to say that you expect sth is true or will We should arrive before dark.
happen.
4. It is used to say that sth that was expected has not It should be snowing now, according to the
happened. weather forecast.

5. It is used after I or we instead of would for

If I were asked to work on Sundays, I should
describing what you would do if sth else happened
resign.
first ( formal).

6. It is used to refer to a possible event or situation If you should change your mind, do let me
(formal). know.

7. It is used as the past form of shall when reporting

He asked me what time he should come.
what sb has said.

8. It is used after that when sth is suggested or She recommended that I should take some time
arranged (BrE). off.

9. It is used after that after many adjectives that I’m anxious that we should allow plenty of
describe feelings. time.

10. It is used with I and we in polite requests (BrE,

I should like to call my laywer.
formal).

11. It is used with I and we to give opinions that you

I should imagine it will take about three hours.
are not ceratin about.

‘I know it’s expensive but it will last for years.’

12. It is used for expressing strong agreement.
‘I should hope so too!’

13. It is used to tell sb that sth would amuse or You should have seen her face when she found
surprise them if they saw or experienced it. out!
Adverbs
An adverb is a word that adds more information about place, time, manner, cause, or degree to a verb,
an adjective, another adverb, a prepositional phrase, a gerund, a participle, an infinitive, or even a whole
clause:
An airplane crashed yesterday. (modifying a verb)
She is very beautiful. (modifying an adjective)
We will move very slowly. (modifying an adverb)
Everything got better right towards the end. (modifying a prepositional phrase)
They enjoy driving fast. (modifying a gerund)
Quite annoyed by the critics, the author tore the newspaper. (modifying a participle)
We need you to behave honestly. (modifying an infinitive)
Frankly, I think it’s time to hit the sack. (modifying a clause)
Although adverbs usually modify the aforementioned parts of speech, there are some others that can
even modify noun phrases:
This is quite a movie.
1. Types of adverbs
There are different types of adverbs according to their morphology and meaning:
She speaks English well.
In this example the word well can be analyzed morphologically, in which case the adverb would be labeled
as a simple adverb; on the other hand, it could also be analyzed semantically and, then, be labeled as an adverb of
manner.

Types of adverbs according to their

Examples
morphology

I. Simple adverbs as, just, only, well, always, never, back, down, near, out,
under, here, there, up, in, on, under, across, above, about,
These usually convey place, direction, or why, etc.
frequency
 somehow, somewhere, therefore, hereupon, herein, hereby,
II. Compound adverbs
herewith, whereto, etc.

III. Derivational adverbs

A) those derived from adjectives oddly, interestingly, sadly, strongly, etc.

clockwise, moneywise, backward(s), southwards, schoolboy-

B) those derived from the suffixes:–
fashion, Mexican-fashion, sideways, crossways, cowboy-style,
ward(s), -fashion, -ways, –wise, and –style
Chinese-style, etc.

Spelling of adverbs ending in -y

It is possible to form most adverbs of manner by adding –ly to adjectives:

mad – madly, courageous – courageously, boring – boringly

I. Even if the adjective ends in –l, add –ly beautiful – beautifully

to it:
practical – practically

* If the adjective already has double -l, as in full, only –y is added:

full – fully

II. If the adjective ends in a –y preceded crazy – crazily

by a consonant, change the –y for –ily:
busy – busily

III. If the adjective ends in –le, eliminate possible – possibly

the –e and write –(l)y:
whole – wholly

* If the adjective finishes in –e preceded by any other consonant, just add –ly to it:
extreme – extremely

IV. If the adjective ends in –ic, just add – automatic – automatically

ally:
basic - basically

V. Adjectives and adverbs with the same daily, early, monthly, quarterly, yearly, etc.
form:

Types of adverbs according

Examples
to their meaning

Adverbs (of manner) She drives carefully.

They answer the question fast, randomly, slowly, He chose his words fast.
how? And they are usually sadly, well, fine (informal),
 above board, accordingly,
derived from an adjective afoul, à la carte, all right, That arrangement suits me fine.
plus the suffix –ly. anyhow, how, etc.
We will get along all right.

It won’t be long!
ago, afresh, again, ahead,
long(er), tomorrow, now,
Adverbs (of time) yesterday, later, then, soon, She was here a minute ago.
after, last, already, since,
They answer the question nevermore, yet, long, still,
when? afterward(s), today, They last won the cup in 2005.
recently, heretofore, when,
etc.
They lived happily ever after.

here, there, everywhere,

nowhere, far, everyplace,
I went downtown on Saturday.
downtown, up, in,
leftward(s), beyond, away,
further, near, on, ever,
aloft, abed, ab initio, To infinity and beyond!
Adverbs (of place) aboard, about, above,
akimbo, abreast, across,
They answer the question
along, under, ahead, Two miles further on, we came to a small
where?
hereabout(s), hereafter, town.
over, hereinafter, hereby,
herein, hereof, hereto,
hereupon, herewith,
outside, inside, out, He came too close.
outdoors, indoors, opposite,
off, north, south, west, east,
close, where, etc.

Jaden lost to Aster once.

once, twice, hourly, always,
Adverbs (of frequency) usually, often, sometimes,
They answer the question scarcely, never, generally, The bus comes hourly.
how often? frequently, ever, normally,
occasionally, etc.
She would never dare do that!

Adverbs (of degree) I. full degree: absolutely,

completely, entirely, quite I am quite happy with this masterpiece.
They answer the question to (completely), totally, etc.
what extent?
II. high degree: awfully, All mornings have been too cold to bear.
 extremely, real, really,
terribly, too, very, ideed,
etc.

III. medium degree: fairly,

pretty, quite (fairly), rather, I am rather tired at the moment.
somewhat, enough, etc.

IV. (very) low degree:

Hardly had I dialed when when someone
slighty, hardly, scarcely,
knocked at the door.
etc.

V. zero degree: no and not We will not yield to your pleas.

VI. comparison: as, less,

Something bad happens when you least
least, more, most, half,
expect it.
much, even, etc.

ergo, therefore, thus, hence,

moreover, however,
Conjunctive (linking) otherwise, furthermore, You never called; ergo, I supposed you were
adverbs also, nonetheless, not interested.
nevertheless, too,
They relate to the previous accordingly, indeed,
clause or sentence, and may consequently, anyway, My friend and teacher died from AIDS;
stand as a parenthetical anyhow, then, still, likewise, anyway, let us just remember him as the very
expression. incidentally, namely, fun and cheerful person he was!
instead, otherwise, besides,
meanwhile, etc.

Access is restricted to members only.

Adverbs (of focus)

only, even, just, merely,
They signal and make clear really, simply, etc. Even a child can understand this work of art.
what we are focusing on.

Try as I may? I simply can’t win.

The cashier did not argue with the gunman,

wisely.

Adverbs (of comment) luckily, sadly,

unfortunately, surprisingly,
They make comments about I stupidly left the car’s door unlocked.
wisely, stupidly, frankly,
the clause’s idea. etc.

Frankly, I am not interested in buying

volcano insurance.

Viewpoint adverbs financially, We are out, moneywise.

counterclockwise, sizewise,
 Finalcially and presidentially, this has been
They convey the idea that a the worst year for the USA.
economically, moneywise,
situation is seen from a
environmentally, etc.
particular point of view.
Environmentally speaking, we can still save
the planet.

Perhaps, we should spend the night together.

Adverbs (of truth) perhaps, maybe, surely,

basically, presumably, Surely, you must know the one who made you!
They express how much sb
certainly, definitely,
knows about a statement.
undoubtedly, allegedly,
supposedly, clearly, etc.
A) Will you marry me?
B) Maybe.

2. Position of adverbs
Adverbs can have three main positions within a sentence, but it mostly depends on the type of adverb.
The positions are the following ones:

 The front-position is before the subject:

Obviously, I found my laptop under the desk.
Today I have an appointment with the doctor.
When an adverb placed in the front-position is separated from the subject by means of a comma, it
usually means that it is not closely related to an element in the predicate but to the whole clause itself.

 The mid-position (mainly restricted to short adverbs) is immediately before the verb:
I obviously found my laptop under the desk.
They will soon be arriving, so we might as well dress up.
* Yet if there were two or more auxiliaries the adverb would be placed after the first auxiliary:
It has already been decided what his punishment will be.
* When the adverb modifies the verb to be without an auxiliary, it is usually placed after the verb:
She is rarely late.
They were always loyal to the X-files series.
* Do not forget that when the primary auxiliary verbs be and do are used emphatically, the adverb is
always placed before the operator:
I always did love you.
This obviously is quite a predicament.
  The end-position is usually restricted to manner, place, and time adverbs:
I saw her standing there yesterday.
You arrived home late.
Just as an adverb in the front-position, adverbs written at the end of a sentence can be separated from
the clause using a comma; if so, the adverb will modify the whole clause (as a comment) rather than the verb:
I found my laptop under the desk, obviously.
* Do not forget that even when an adverb may follow the verb, it will not be written before the direct
object (should there be any):
I write letters everyday. vs. I write everyday letters.
* Nevertheless, if the direct object happens to be lenghtly, then, it is acceptable to write the adverb
before it:
I write everyday works of art that are only meant to those who can enjoy true beauty.

Position of adverbs Examples

1. Adverbs (of manner)

I. When used in active voice, they are usually placed in the end position (after the verb or its object):
I jumped back instinctively after the bomb went off.
We continued our journey silently.
* If the verb takes an adver particle, the adverb of manner comes after it:
She picked her present out carefully.
* Sometimes it is possible to place them between the subject and the verb to emphasize the subject:
Steve strongly slammed the window.
II. When used in passive voice, they can be placed both in the mid and end-position:
Your point was well put.
Your point was put well.
III. In order to create a dramatic effect or suspense, they can be written in the front-position but only in
narrative writing:
The room was completely dark; suddenly, the lights went on and I witnessed the most incredible sight in my
life.
Everyboy in the room hated Tania, so quietly, she went for the back door.

2. Adverbs (of time)

These can be divided into definite and indefinite depending on whether or not they are precise.
Coma back Friday, and we’ll talk some more. (definite) She complained I did not call her then.
(indefinite)
I. Definte adverbs of time can be written in the front- and end-position:
Today I will become a bachelor. She left for India yesterday.
* Should there be more than one adverb of time, they will be written as follows:
Subject Verb time, day, month, year
II. Indefinite adverbs of time are usually written in the end-position, but they can also be in both front-
and mid-position:
I will arrive soon.
I will soon arrive.
Soon, I will arrive.

3. Adverbs (of place)

There are two types of adverbs of place: those expressing either location or direction.
We are here. (location)
Go upstairs (direction)
I. Location adverbs can be in the end-position:
My friend lives here.
I have never travelled abroad.
* In descriptive writing, these can also go in the front-position to emphasize the location:
Inside it was nice and warm.
Outside the day was cold and foggy.
II. Direction adverbs always go in the end-position:
The boat is moving ahead.
Our neighbor’s dog went away.

Combining adverbs of manner, time and place

When adverbs of manner, time, and place happen in a same sentence the order is as follows:
Subject Verb A(manner), A(place), and A(time)
He drives fast southwards everyday.

4. Adverbs (of frequency)

There are definite and indefinite frequency adverbs:
Classes are given hourly. (definite)
 Pixar movies are always amazing and entertaining. (indefinite)
I. Definite frequency adverbs usually go in the end-position:
Kids are born to this world daily.
I get paid fortnightly.
* Sometimes they can be written at the beginning to avoid ambiguity:
Once we visited our daughter who lived in Vienna.
II. Indefinite frequency adverbs can be placed in all the positions on a case by case basis:

 Front-position: when it is necessary to create special contrast or emphasis

Usually I get up early.
Sometimes she can be really nasty.

 Mid-position: this is the typical position of frequency adverbs

I often get up early.
We have never been good at working together.

 End-position: these are special cases

I. In interrogative and negative sentences, often is used at the end.
Will you visit me often?
I won’t call you often.
II. Frequency adverbs with a positive meaning are witten at the end to comment on the clause:
We do not fight, normally.
We go to the gym usually.
III. The word always is used at the end when it means for ever:
The force will be with you always!

5. Adverbs (of degree)

These go in the mid-position:
He hardly knows her.
I’d very much like to hold my old ring again.

6. Conjunctive adverbs
These go:
I. between two independent clauses after a semicolon but before a comma, or in the front-position if they
begin a sentence looking back at the text:
It was a rather nice book; nevertheless, someone stole it from my locker.
 We are friends. Moreover, we love each other.
II. between commas in the mid- or end-position functioning as a parenthetical expression:
He loves her. She, however, left him a year ago.
We were supposed to arrive early, indeed.
III. and in the end-position:
You can come with us too.

7. Adverbs (of focus)

They can be in the mid- and end-position:
If you do that, it will only make matters worse.
Anyway, we still owe them £2 000, to put it simply.
* The position of really can vary to change the meaning of the sentence:
I don’t really know. (It means that you are not sure about something)
I really don’t know. (It emphasizes that you do not know)
* In formal written English only, or only modifying a clause, can be placed first in the sentence, but it will be
necessary to use inversion:
Only in Paris do you find bars like this.
Only if these conditions are fulfilled, can the application proceed to the next stage.

8. Adverbs (of comment and viewpoint)

All of them can be placed in the front- or end-position:
Hopefully, we’ll arrive before dark.
Turn the key clockwise.

9. Adverbs (of thruth)

They are usually placed in the front-position although they can also be in the other two:
Perhaps it would be better if you came back tomorrow.
He knew that if help did not arrive soon they would surely die.
We go there maybe once or twice a month.

3. Adverbs and adverbials

Although adverbs are single words like soon, fast, always, happily, there, etc.; and since their
syntactic function is that of an adverbial (of time, of place, etc.), there are other contructions that can stand or
function as a natural adverb would; let us not forget that the word adverbial conveys a function and adverb
only states the part of speech; therefore, many constructions such as phrases (especially prepositional) and
subordinate clauses (adverb) can share the adverbial function, yet they will never be adverbs even when some
grammar books, trying to oversimplify them, do not tell them apart and use them indistictively:
Our friends left yesterday.
Here the word yesterday is an adverb modifying the verb left and functioning as an adverbial (of
time), but…
Do it that way.
here the phrase that way is a noun phrase modifying the verb do and functioning as an adverbial (of
manner).