Grammatical Accuracy: Adverbials - JSS3 English language Lesson Note

Introduction

Adverbials are words or phrases that provide additional information about the action of the verb in a sentence. They can describe how, when, where, or why something happens. Adverbials are crucial for adding detail and clarity to sentences.

 

Types of Adverbials

 

1. Adverbs: Single words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

  Examples: quickly, yesterday, here, very

 

2. Adverbial Phrases: Groups of words that function together as an adverb.

  Examples: in a hurry, with great care, at noon

 

3. Adverbial Clauses Dependent clauses that act as adverbs, providing information about when, where, why, or how something happens.

Examples: because she was late, when the bell rang, although it was raining

 

Functions of Adverbials

 

1. Manner

   - Describes how an action is performed.

  -Examples: She sings beautifully. He ran with great speed.

 

2. Time

Describes when an action takes place.

Examples: She will arrive tomorrow. They met in the evening.

 

3. Place

Describes where an action occurs.

Examples: He lives here. They travelled to Paris.

 

4. Reason

Explains why an action happens.

Examples: She left because she was tired. He studies hard to get good grades.

 

5. Frequency

 Indicates how often an action occurs.

Examples: She always arrives on time. They rarely go out.

 

6. Degree

Indicates the intensity or extent of an action, adjective, or another adverb.

Examples: She was very happy. He almost finished his homework.

 

Position of Adverbials

Beginning of a Sentence: Often used for emphasis or to set the scene.

Example: Yesterday, she visited the museum.

  

Middle of a Sentence: Typically placed after the subject and before the main verb, or after an auxiliary verb.

Example: She often visits her grandmother. (after the subject)

Example: She has already finished her homework. (after an auxiliary verb)

End of a Sentence: Commonly used for adverbials of manner, place, and time.

Example: He ran quickly. They are meeting at the park tomorrow.

 

Practice Exercises

Identify the Adverbials : Find the adverbials in the following sentences and state their type.

     - She sang beautifully.

     - They will meet at 6 PM.

     - He lives in New York.

     - Because he was tired, he went to bed early.

 

Position the Adverbials: Rewrite the sentences, moving the adverbials to different positions.

She visited the museum yesterday. (Try: Yesterday, she visited the museum.)

He quickly ran to the store. (Try: He ran to the store quickly.)

 

Create Sentences Using Adverbials: Write sentences using adverbials of manner, time, place, reason, frequency, and degree.

     - Manner: She danced gracefully.

     - Time: We will leave at dawn.

     - Place: The children played outside.

     - Reason: He studied hard because he wanted to pass.

     - Frequency: She rarely misses a class.

    - Degree: They were extremely happy with the results.

 

Adverbials are essential for providing additional information about actions in a sentence. Understanding the different types of adverbials and their functions helps in constructing clear and detailed sentences. Practising the identification, positioning, and usage of adverbials will enhance grammatical accuracy and writing skills.