Let’s learn how to define and use an adverb phrase.
What is an Adverb Phrase?
An adverb phrase is a group of words that modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb. Like an adverb, adverb phrases answer the questions: How? Why? When? Where? To what extent?
Related Reading: Adverb – A Word that Modifies Another Word
- He delivered the speech amazingly well. [The adverb phrase modifies the verb delivered, telling how he delivered the speech.]
- Anne left without saying goodbye. [The adverb phrase modifies the verb left, telling how Anne left.]
- I need the report as soon as possible. [The adverb phrase modifies the verb need, telling when the report is needed.]
- He snores like a bear. [The adverb phrase modifies the verb snores and defines how he snores.]
Prepositional Phrase as an Adverb Phrase
Prepositional phrases also function as adverbs. Recall that a prepositional phrase is a group of words that start with a preposition and followed by its noun or pronoun object and any modifiers of that object.
In the following examples, we’ll refer to the prepositional phrase as the adverb phrase to be clear with their function.
- We watched the stars from the old treehouse. [The adverb phrase modifies the verb watched and defines where they watched the stars from.]
- The old lady smiles every time she sees us. [The adverb phrase modifies the verb smiled and defines when the old lady smiled.]
- They were amazingly cool in the 90s. [The adverb phrase modifies the adjective cool and defines when they were cool.]
- Ben always leaves early in the morning. [The adverb phrase modifies the verb leaves and defines when Ben leaves.]
Infinitive Phrase as an Adverb Phrase
An infinitive phrase is a group of words that starts with the verb to followed by the base form of a verb.
- We should join the fight to make a change.
- To be included, the student wore the same dress as everyone else.
- She slept to silence her thoughts.
Exercise:
Bolden the adverb phrase in each sentence. Some sentences have more than one adverb phrase.
- The film was shot in Europe.
- Since last week, she has travelled around the city.
- To build a better world, we should vote wisely.
- For many centuries, we struggled for freedom.
- Like a lost lamb, she travelled around the world looking for home.
Answers:
- The film was shot in Europe.
- Since last week, she has travelled around the city.
- To build a better world, we should vote wisely without reservations.
- For many centuries, we struggled for freedom.
- Like a lost lamb, she travelled everywhere looking for home.
Thank you for reading. We hope it’s effective! Always feel free to revisit this page if you ever have any questions about adverb phrases.
Check out some of our other blog posts or invest in your future with one of our self-study courses!
