The adverbial modifier

The adverbial modifier is a secondary part of the sentence which modifies another part of the sentence expressed either by a verb (in a finite or non-finite form), or an adjective, or a stative, or an adverb.

In case it modifies a verb the adverbial characterizes the action or process expressed by the verb and denotes its quality, quantity, or the whole situation.

The adverbial modifier may refer to:

a) The predicate-verb or to a verbal phrase.

John spoke in a whisper.

Bowen read the telegram aloud.

b) The whole of the sentence, especially if placed at the beginning of the sentence.

In the evening they gathered together again.

If an adverbial modifies a non-finite form, it becomes partof a gerundial, participial, or infinitive phrase or construction.

¨ Felicity fell to the ground and after lying still for a moment began to crawl forward.

¨ Scobie watched the bearers go slowly up the hill, their bare feet very gently flapping the ground.

Adverbials modifying adjectives, statives and adverbs usually denote degree or quantity. These adverbials modify:

a) Adjectives in their attributiveor predicative function.

It was a very long story.

b) Stativesin their predicativefunction.

I am quite aware of the situation.

c) Adverbs in their main function as an adverbial.

You speak English rather fluently.

Adverbials are structurally more independent of the verb than objects. Their use is often optional. However, when introduced into the sentence, adverbials are of great communicative value. Thus in the sentence Professor Brown is leaving for London to-morrow, both adverbials for London and to-morrow give important pieces of information, although grammatically the sentence Professor Brown is leaving is complete.

Adverbials are obligatory when the sentence structure demands one or when their absence changes the meaning of the verb. This is the case:

a) After the verbs to behave, to act, to treat.

He behaved bravely.

The Murdstones treated David cruelly. - Мердстоны жестоко обращались с Давидом.

The doctor treated David - доктор лечил Давида.

b) After statal and durative verbs, such as to live, to dwell, to wait, to last, to weigh.

John lives in London. (John lives has a different meaning: ‘ he exists’, ‘he is alive’.)

The lecture lasted two hours.

c) After transitive verbs implying direction, such as to put, to take, to send.

Put the book on the shelf.

Take these letters to the post-office.

d) After intransitive verbs of motion and position in space, such as

to come, to go, to arrive, to return, to step, to sit, to lie, to stand.

Brett went to the dressing-room.

Robert was standing at the window.

The absolute use of the above verbs, that is without adverbials, is possible if the speaker is interested in the process itself or if the use of an adverbial is unnecessary because of the situation.

¨ He was too weak to stand.

¨ Everybody has come.

e) When an adverbial influences the meaning of a verb form.

¨ I am going to the library to-morrow, (‘am going’ denotes intention, not an action).

f) When its absence changes the meaning of the rest of the sentence.

¨ Can you speak English without making mistakes?

¨ I’ve never been there since my childhood.

Non-obligatory adverbials are those which are not necessary for the structure of the sentence. They neither influence the meaning of the verb form, nor change the structure or the meaning of the rest of the sentence, no matter how important they are from the communicative viewpoint.

¨ She left the room without saying a word.

¨ Before speaking he pressed the bell at his side.

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