Constructions with superlatives
Like adjectives, adverbs can be used in constructions with comparisons:
as ... as and not as/so ...as (with the positive form)
than with the comparative form
the + comparative the + comparative.
- Will it cost 100$? -No, it won't cost as much as that.
- It will cost less than 100$.
- I will buy it.
- The sooner the better for you.
Word order
Adverbs generally go after the verb.
The birds sang merrily after the silent days of winter.
When the children heard the music, they came near.
How did I do in the test? - You did very well.
But we usually put the adverbs: usually, always, also, often, seldom, never, almost, probably, nearly, just, already, sometimes, hardly, quite before a verb, but after be or an auxiliary verb.
He often goes to work by car.
I don't usually stay at home on Sundays.
I have never been to the Far East.
You are always late.
We also use adverbs before adjectives, other adverbs, before Participle.
Sometimes we use them to modify the whole sentence.
I'm terribly sorry, (adverb + adjective)
He did it very quickly, (adverb + adverb)
The conference was badly organized, (adverb+Participle II)
Fortunately nobody was injured in the crash.
verb + object + adverb or adverb + verb + object
We can say: / translated this text easily.
or: / easily translated this text.
We do not put adverbs between the verb and the object.
Our guide spoke English fluently.
(Not: spoke fluently English)
We enjoyed the party very much.
Note the difference:
He answered the questions foolishly.
(His answers were foolish.)
He foolishly answered the questions.
(It was foolish of him to answer at all.)
Sometimescan also be used at the beginning or at the end of
the sentence.
Sometimes it is cold in May.
It's cold in May sometimes.
Lately, recently, too, before, either(in negative sentences), yet (уже in questions; ещё in negative sentences) are put at the end of the sentence.
Have you seen this film yet? - No, I haven't seen this film yet.
I have never been to London before.
Have you been there too ? - No, I haven't been there either.
I haven't heard from him lately. I've got a letter from him recently.
Somewhere, anywhere, nowhere follow the same basic rule as some, any, no.
-Are you going anywhere ? - Nowhere.
- Let's go somewhere.
- I am not going anywhere today.
Any more/any longer/no longer
We use not... any more, not... any longer, no longerto say that a situation has changed.
Mr Smith doesn 't work here any more (or any longer). no longer goes in the middle of the sentence
We are no longer friends. (not ... "no more")
She is no longer a student, (not ... "no more")
Quite and Rather
Quite = less than "very" but more than "a little".
Quite goes before a/an: quite a long way, quite a reasonable price.
Ratheris similar to quite, but we use rathermostly with negative words and negative ideas.
It's rather cold, so you'd better stay at home.
He is quite intelligent but rather lazy.
But: rather nice = usually nice rather interesting = more interesting than expected.
Even
We use evento say something is unusual or surprising.
Even his best friend didn 't lend him the money.
He can't cook. He can't even boil an egg.
Even + comparative = even hotter/earlier
Even + if, when, though:
Even if you don't phone me, I'm sure we'll see each other soon.
For, during and while
We use: for + period of time to say how long something goes on:
for 2 years, for a week, for the whole life.
during + nounto say when something happens: during the war. while + subject + verb: while I was watching TV.
Really
Reallycan be used to emphasize verbs, adjectives and adverbs.
/ really think that war should be banned.
Acid rains are really dangerous both for people and the environment.
He drove really dangerously.
Still, else, already
Stillis used to say that a situation or action is continuing. You usually put still before the main verb, but after be or an auxiliary verb. In negatives it goes before the auxiliary verb.
It's still raining, let's stay at home.
You still haven't answered my questions.
Are they still waiting?
Compare: He lost his job a year ago.
He hasn 't found another job yet. He is still unemployed.
Elseis used after question words without a noun following, and after indefinite pronouns.
What else would you like to tell us? Who else knows about it?
Where else did you see him ? Ask somebody else about it.
Alreadyexpresses surprise that something has happened sooner than expected, or that something that has been done need not be repeated. We normally use it in positive sentences and questions. It can come in the mid or end position.
Is the taxi already here? or: Is the taxi here already?
I've already translated the text. I've translated the text already.
Compare:
He lost his job a year ago. Has he found any job already ?
He hasn 't found another job yet. He is still unemployed.
Hardly/scarcely ever, never, rarely and seldomare not used with a negative verb.
We have never seen him again.
Hardly/scarcely ever did he manage to come here.
Too and Enough
Toogoes before an adjective or adverb.
Mrs Smith doesn 't want to marry my uncle. She think she's too old.
I'm afraid we 'II miss our train as you are walking too slowly.
Enoughgoes after an adjective or adverb, and before a noun.
The coffee isn't strong enough. You didn't put enoughcoffee in.
She isn't old enough to get married, or: She is too
young to get married.
I think this jacket is too short. - You are right. It is not
long enough.
Much: In positive statements we usually use very much or a lot/a good deal/a great deal. In a negative statement we can use either very much or much. Much (=greatly), with or without very, can be used with the participles: upset, shocked, impressed, etc.
Positive: / like this town very much. He rides a lot/a great deal.
Negative: / don't like this town very much, or: I don't like this town much.
She was (very) much impressed by his good manners.
Muchcan modify comparative or superlative adjectives and adverbs: much better, much more quickly.
Also, Too, As well
Also usually goes in mid position, but too and as well go in end position.
My mother bakes lovely cakes.
She also makes bread. / She makes bread, too/as well.
Absolutely, completely and totally can go in mid position or at the end.
We completely lost our way. / We lost our way completely.
I totally disagree. /1 disagree totally.
Sentence adverbsmodify the whole sentence/clause and express the speaker's opinion:
Actually (=in fact/really), apparently, certainly, clearly, evidently, obviously, probably, undoubtedly, definitely, perhaps, possibly, surely, (unfortunately, honestly, (un)luckily, officially.
He is obviously intelligent.
She was certainly here, there is no doubt about it.
Fortunately nobody was injured in the crash.
Compare: Honestly, he didn't get the money (truthfully).
He didn 't get the money honestly (adverb of manner = dishonestly).
Practice
1. Read the text, analyze all the adverbs used in it.