Adverbs of degree or quantity
Adverbs of degree answer the question ‘how much’ or ‘in what
degree’ or ‘to
what
extent’. Examples are: very, too, fully,
quite, rather, enough, any, partly, almost, utterly, as, entirely etc.
That was very tragic. I have almost finished. He was rather busy. Is he any good? You are partly right. You
are entirely wrong.
Adverbs of reason
Adverbs of reason answer the question ‘why?’. Examples are: therefore, hence, consequently etc.
Consequently he
refused to go. Therefore they decided to boycott the
meeting. He is hence unable to refute the charge.
Adverbs of affirmation or negation
Examples are: surely, certainly, not, probably, indeed
etc.
You are certainly right. I am not going. He is a
fool indeed.
Interrogative adverbs
Adverbs
which are used for asking questions are called interrogative adverbs. Examples are: when, where, how, why etc.
When will you go to New York? (Interrogative adverb
of time) How long will you stay here?
(Interrogative adverb of time) Where are my keys? (Interrogative
adverb of place) How often does the committee meet?
(Interrogative adverb of number) How did he behave? (Interrogative adverb of manner) How far did he go? (Interrogative adverb of
quantity) Why did you resign? (Interrogative adverb of reason)
Relative adverbs
Read the following sentences:
Do you know the place where the meeting will be held?
In this sentence, where is an adverb as it modifies the verb will be held. Where is also a relative as it connects the two
clauses of the sentence and at the same time refers back to its antecedent,
place. Where is therefore called a relative adverb. Note that a relative
adverb connects an adjective clause to the main clause.
