Adverbial facts for kids

An adverbial is a word or a group of words that gives us more information about a verb or a whole sentence. Think of it as telling us how, when, where, or why something happens. The word adverbial can also be used as an adjective, meaning "acting like an adverb".

Here are some examples:

Danny speaks fluently. (This tells us how Danny speaks.)

Lorna ate breakfast yesterday morning. (This tells us when Lorna ate breakfast.)

Different Forms of Adverbials

Adverbials can show up in different forms. They are most often single adverbs, or groups of words called adverbial phrases or prepositional phrases. Sometimes, they can even be a whole adverbial clause.

• Adverb: James answered immediately. (This is a single word.)
• Prepositional phrase: James answered in English. (This is a group of words starting with a preposition.)
• Noun phrase: James answered this morning. (This is a group of words acting like a noun.)
• Adverbial clause: James answered in English because he had a foreign visitor. (This is a whole mini-sentence that tells us why he answered.)

When an adverbial modifies a verb, it changes or adds to the meaning of that verb.

Main Types of Adverbials

Adverbials are usually put into four main groups based on how they work in a sentence.

Adverbial Complements

These are adverbials that are absolutely necessary for a sentence to make sense. If you take them out, the sentence won't sound right or will lose its meaning.

John put the flowers in the water. (If you say "John put the flowers," it doesn't make sense. You need to know where he put them.)

Adjuncts

Adjuncts are adverbials that add extra information to a sentence. They are part of the main meaning, but if you remove them, the sentence still makes sense on its own.

John and Sophia helped me with my homework. (The sentence "John and Sophia helped me" still makes sense without "with my homework.")

Conjuncts

Conjuncts are special adverbials that help connect two sentences or ideas together. They show the relationship between what was just said and what is coming next.

John helped; therefore, I was able to do my homework. (Therefore connects the idea of John helping to the result of being able to do homework.)

Disjuncts

Disjuncts are adverbials that show the speaker's opinion or comment on the rest of the sentence. They often tell us how the speaker feels about the information.

Surprisingly, he passed all of his exams. (Surprisingly tells us the speaker's reaction to him passing the exams.)

Other Cool Adverbials

Direction and Location Words

Some words, like in or out, can act as adverbials to show direction or location.

• Superman flew in. (This tells us the direction he flew.)
• Are you in? (This tells us his location.)
• The car drove out. (This tells us the direction the car went.)
• The ball is out. (This tells us the ball's location.)

Words that Say "No"

Words like "not" and "never" are also considered adverbs. They function as adverbials because they change the meaning of a verb or a clause by making it negative.

• I did not go to the park.
• She never eats vegetables.

See also

In Spanish: Complemento circunstancial para niños