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.