Adverbial Phrase
Adverbial Phrase
An adverbial phrase is a group of words without a finite verb that has an adverb as a headword.
Or
It is a group of related words without a finite verb that is introduced by a preposition and does the work of an adverb.
Structure of an Adverbial Phrase 1
The structure is made up of a pre-modifier which is an adverb of degree, and an adverb as a headword.
(Adv.) + Adv.
Examples
Very well, so majestically, very quickly, extremely well etc.
Function of the Adverb Phrase
An adverb phrase functions by modifying a verb or a verb phrase in a sentence.
Usage Examples
a. The children came very early.
G. Name: adverb phrase
Function: modifies the verb ‘came’
b. The boys should have done the work very nicely.
G. Name; adverb phrase
Function; modifies the verb phrase, ‘should have done’
c. The lady did the work so quickly.
G. Name: adverb phrase
Function: modifies the verb ‘did’
Structure of the Adverbial Phrase 2
As we indicated from the beginning, an adverb phrase can also be made up of a prepositional phrase functioning as an adverb, and as such, an adverb phrase can take the structure of a prepositional phrase.
Structure: preposition + noun phrase
Examples
In the morning, in the class, like a chameleon etc.
Usage Examples
i. The students slept in the morning.
G. Name: adverbial phrase
Function: modifies the verb ‘slept’
Reason: It indicates the time the action occurred. It is only adverbs of time that do this. Even though, it is a prepositional phrase in structure, it is an adverb phrase in function.
ii. The boy walks like a chameleon.
G. Name: adverbial phrase
Function: modifies the verb, ‘walks’
Reason: It indicates HOW the boy walks. It is only adverbs of manner that do this, hence, an adverb phrase of manner.
iii. She lives in the forest.
G. Name: adverbial phrase
Function: modifies the verb ‘lives’
Reason: It tells WHERE she lives, hence an adverb phrase of place.