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Adverbials

According to grammar, an adverbial is a word, usually an adverb or a group of words that describes, tells something about, or modifies a verb or sentence. An adverbial can also act as an adjective.

The most common format of an adverbial is the following…

SUBJECT + VERB + OBJECT + ADVERBIAL

Example: Chance chased a rabbit just yesterday.

In this case, the adverbial tells and describes a little more about the time. For more description check out the Adverbs and Adjectives Lesson.

How would you use adverbials to describe the picture above? Here are a couple examples…

The kayaks sat calmly on the dock taking in the sunlight of a few more summer days.

Yesterday, the kayakers all went to the cottage, leaving their water transportation units at home.

Adverbial Types

• Adverb
• Prepositional Phrase
• Noun Phrase
• Adverbial Clause

• Know that when an adverbial is used, it modifies the verb itself and changes the meaning. This is the case for many examples, since the sentence pattern follows what the adverbial starts, especially if it is a clause element that effects the whole sentence.

  There can also be more than one adverbial in a sentence. It is also possible to move an adverbial around in the sentence, as it will effect different aspects of the phrase that way.

  
  
  

  
  
  Adverbial Positions
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  1. Group of Words
  

  This called an adverb phrase, it is a group of words put together
  
  Examples:

  She did not cook the chicken well enough for the guests to eat it. (Adverbial Phrase)

  The cat slept soundly in the box. (Prepositional Phrase)

  I'll see you sometime soon, how about next week? (noun group showing a time frame)

  
  
  2. Descriptors

  A way to describe the way something happens or how something is done.
  
  Examples:

  Our dog looked helplessly at us as we drove away. (Adverbial, adjective word used)

  Grandma always cooked with great ease when the house was full of family. (Prepositional Phrase)

  A pigeon flew overhead. (Prepositional phrase)

  
  
  Adverbial Forms
  

  Adverbials can most commonly be found in four different forms:

  
  
  • Adverbial Complements

  These are phrases, and words that are needed in a sentence, they help make the sentence grammatically sound.

  • Catherine placed the card on the table.

  • Adjuncts

  These words make up the core meaning of the sentence, but if omitted, the sentence can still function grammatically.

  • Ken helped me clean the dishes
  
  
  • 3. Conjuncts

  Like a conjunction, these words link different sentences together, most commonly linking two sentences.

  • The book was great and I, therefore, decided to lend it to Oren.

    
    
  • 4. Disjuncts

  The words make comments, or change the tone of the whole sentence.

  • Unfortunately, he did not write the test.
  
  

  
  
  

  Image Credit: Zevotron, oskay, aaron13251