Adverbs: Advanced

Adverbials:

• Even more versatile than the adverb is the adverbial. This is a phrase or clause which performs the same function as adverbs. Three common categories of adverbial are prepositional phrases, noun phrases and subordinate clauses.

Prepositional phrases:

• These adverbials begin with a preposition Eg
  
  
  at home; in the garden; under the stairs, behind the times; over the top
  He found the truants at home.
  Her narrative plots are completely over the top.

Noun phrases:

• An example of a noun phrase with an adverbial function:
  
  
  Jane telephoned me last night.

Subordinate clauses:

• Examples of subordinate clauses which are adverbials are listed below.
  
  
  He'll pass if he works hard.
  She ran as fast as she could.
  John knew when he was beaten.

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