Kinds of Adverbs: Examples and Exercises

Unit – 5: Adverbs 

Structure

5.0                  Objective

5.1                  Introduction

5.2                  Definition

5.3                  Kinds of Adverbs

5. 4    Formation of Adverbs

5.6                  Degrees of Comparison:

5.6.1    Formation of comparatives and superlatives

5.7      Adverbs: Usage

5.7.1    Adverbs of time

5.7.2    Adverbs of place

5.7.3    Adverbs of degree

5.7.4    Ever and Never

5.7.5    Interrogative adverbs

5.7.8 No any, none

5.8                  Conclusion

5.9                  Unit end Questions

5.0             Objective

In this unit we shall describe Adverbs in English.

5.1             Introduction

Adverbs are equivalents to िwया िवशषण in Hindi. However we should not be misled

by the terms as it does not simply modify or verb.

5.2    Definition

·      adverb adds something more to the meaning of the verb:

·      Sheetal sang sweetly. (modifying a verb)

·      They secretly decided to get married. (modifying a verb)

·      It can also modify an adjective or another adverb.

·      He is purposely late. (modifying an adjective)

·      she works extremely slowly. (modifying an adverb)

·      It can also modify a pronoun, preposition, conjunction and a sentence as well:

·      Nearly everybody was late. (modifying a pronoun)

·      The grapes are well within reach. (modifying a preposition)

·      They don't help me just because I suffer in silence. (modifying a conjunction)

·      Fortunately he did not hurt himself. (modifying a sentence)

·      An adjective too is a modifier, but it does not modify words other than nouns nor is it used to express time, or place.

5.3    Kinds of Adverbs

Adverbs are often kinds:

i)   Adverbs of time

ago, since, back, before, early, soon, already, yet, still, today, tomorrow, then, lately, recently, once, one of these days, some day, now, by now, right away, nowadays

They indicate the time of an action and answer to the question when. When did you buy this car? I bought it a week ago.

When will you do this work?                I have done it already.

ii)   Adverbs of place/position

here, there, near, by, up, down, in, out, everywhere, nowhere, somewhere, anywhere, nowhere else, hither and thither

They are used to indicate the place of an action and characteristically answ the question where.

Where is your watch?             It's here.

Where is your mother?           She has gone out.

Note: Hither/thither used in isolation is archaic but the phrase hither and thither is idiomatic.

iii)   Adverbs of manner

boldly, bravely, quickly, slowly, easily, badly, hard, fast, well

They express the manner of an action and answer to the question how? How is she typing? She is typing carefully.

How is he working?            He is working slowly.

iv)   Adverbs of frequency

always, ever, never, often, seldom, everyday, sometimes, occasionally, usually, normally,

frequently, rarely, hardly, scarcely, once/twice a week etc.

They express the frequency of an action. They answer the question how often? She has always helped me.

I had never told a lie.

We rarely talk to each other.

Note: In traditional grammar they are called Adverbs of Number, but in current English they are called Adverbs of Frequency.

v)  Adverbs of degree (Intensifiers)

almost, very, very much, too, enough, so such, just, of course, quite, rather, fairly, hardly, scarcely, much, more, most, barely, absolutely, extremely, perfectly, really, totally, utterly, a lot, a great deal, a bit

They express degree/intensity, so they answer the question how much/how far/to what extent?

He is too ill to go to work.

He is rich enough to maintain a car.

In current English they are called intensifiers because they have a heightening or lowering effect on the words they modify.

vi)  Relative adverbs when, where, why whenever, wherever

Relative adverbs, like relative pronouns, relate or refer back to their antecedent and

also join clauses. A relative adverb plays a double role because it functions as an adverb as well as a conjunction.

Relative adverbs are used to introduce relative clauses and noun clauses as well, not only adjective clauses:

I don't know the place where she works. (adjective clause) I don't know where she works. (noun clause)

vii)   Interrogative adverbs

when, since when, where, why, how, how many, how much, how often, how far/long, how tall/high etc.

whenever, wherever, whyever, however

They are used for asking questions about time/place etc.:

a)                           time

When do you have lunch, usually?

Since when has he been living in the hostel? How long did you wait there?

b)                             place

Where are you going? Where do you come from?

Note: whence meaning 'from where' is archaic. It is now replaced by where ... from.

c)                           manner/method/means How did he do this sum?

How do you wash your clothes? How did you go to France?

How do you get a phone?

d)                          degree/to what extent How deep is this river?

How far is it to the station?

How often do you go to the cinema? How fast can you type?

e)                          cause/reason

Why are you so angry? Why is the baby crying?

Note: wherefore meaning 'why' is archaic. It is now replaced by why.

viii)   Exclamatory adverbs

How!, What!

They are used in exclamations to express degree/extent: How dirty this place is!

How melodiously she sings! What a nasty guy!

What a nice friend he is!

What used after a statement is a question in form but an exclamation in sense, because it is used as an interjection to express surprise or disbelief:

You have won a lottery. What?

This curio is one in a million. What?

ix)   Adverbs of affirmation and negation

yes, yeah, no

They are used to express one's reaction or response to questions. They indicate assertion and denial. Yes is used in affirmative sentences and no in negative sentences.

Do you like fish?          Yes I do./No, I don't.

Is he very poor?          Yes, he is./No, he isn't.

Can you do this sum?           Yes, I can.

Is it too hot?            No, it isn't.

Note that yes cannot be followed by a negation, even when you agree with a person. Similarly a no with a positive statement is not allowed.

I don't think that Rahim has come today. No, he hasn't. (not, Yes, he hasn't)

Is it too hot today?

Yes, it is. (not, Yes, it isn't).

Note:  No cannot be replaced by not as an adverb of negation viz., Not, I don't.

Yes is often replaced by yeah in informal style: Do you play tennis? Yeah, I do.

Do you feel tired? Yeah, Just a little.

x)  Sentence adverbs

fortunately, luckily, surely, certainly

An adverb that modifies a whole sentence, not only a constituent is called a sentence adverb.

a)                          Adverbs like these are usually formed from adjectives by adding an Iy: fortunate + Iy (fortunately) luck + Iy (luckily)

obvious + Iy (obviously) happy + Iy (happi Iy)

b)                           They are used to express an opinion or viewpoint: Fortunately, the baby was saved.

Obviously, she is innocent.

c)                           Sentence adverbs are placed at the beginning of a sentence. They are marked off from the sentence by a comma because they are not essential ingredients in a sentence.

Luckily, I had a close shave.

5. 4 Formation of Adverbs             

dverbs may be formed by any of the following ways.

i)   Most of the Adverbs of Manner are formed by adding Iy to the adjective:

 

active -	actively	easy -        easily
quick -	quickly	happy -                 happily
careful -	carefully	true   -         truly
beautiful -	beautifully	due   -         duly

Note: The adverbial form of good is well, not goodly.

ii)    Adding Iyto the noun:

 

month -	monthly	year	-         yearly
week -	weekly	day	-        daily

They are used as adjectives as well:

He comes here daily. (adverb)

This is my daily routine. (adjective)

Note:  a) goodly, friendly, lovely, lonely and lowly are adjectives, not adverbs.

b) kindly and leisurely are used both as adjectives and adverbs. She flashed him a kindly smile. (adjective)

Would you kindly wait a minute? (adverb) They are walking at a leisurely pace. (adjective) Seema is arranging flowers leisurely. (adverb)

iii)    By adding these suffixes:

 

-wise	-ways	-ward	-wards
lengthwise	sideways	forward	downwards
clockwise	backward

iv)   By placing a before the noun:

aflame        ahead

aboard        afloat

v)                  By placing a or be before the adjective: abroad behind

along below

aloud beyond

anew before

vi)                By joining an adjective and a noun: sometimes meanwhile meantime midway

vii)              Adverb phrases are formed by adding a preposition in front of a noun: at length of course

at random     in fact

viii)            Some adverb phrases go together in pairs joined by and: again and again now and then

by and by   out and out

far and wide  over and over

far and near     to and fro

ix)                  Some adverbs have the same form as adjectives:

He is a fast runner. (adjective) He runs fast. (adverb) Iron is hard. He works hard.

He is an early riser.    He always gets up early.

The cork is tight. Hold the rope tight.

It is right.      It serves him right.

This is a directtrain. He came here direct. The price of petrol is high. The plane flew high.

The form of a word is not a sure guide to the class it belongs to. So a word is categorised by its function as well as by its form.

5.6    Degrees of Comparison

Like adjectives, adverbs too have three degrees of comparison: positive, comparative and superlative. The comparative is formed by adding -er (more in longer ones) and the superlative by -est (most).

5.6.1    Formation of comparatives and superlatives

i)   adverb + er/est

Adverbs of one syllable take er in the comparative and est in the superlative:

 

positive	comparative	superlative
fast	faster	fastest
hard	harder	hardest
high	higher	highest

ii)    Adverbs of two or more syllables form their comparative or superlative form by putting more or most before them:

 

positive	comparative	superlative
slowly	more slowly	most slowly
politely	more politely	most politely
sweetly	more sweetly	most sweetly
wisely	more wisely	most wisely

Note: The comparative form of 'early' is earl ier, (not, more early) and superlative form earliest (not, most early)

iii)    Irregular comparatives and superlatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.7       Adverbs: Usage

5.7.1    Adverbs of time

1.                       Ago/long ago

Ago/long ago always takes simple past tense, not present perfect tense: He came here a week ago. (not, has come)

She left for home just a few minutes ago. (not, has left) He wrote a novel long ago. (not, has written)

We don't say:

Columbus has discovered America long ago.

We say:

Columbus discovered America long ago.

2.                       Back/far back

Back far back, too indicates past time and means 'ago', so it takes simple past tense:

I saw her a few years back. (not, have seen)

3.                       Since/ever since

Since/ever since means between sometime in the past and the present time (now). It takes present perfect tense, not simple past:

He left this place five years ago. I haven't seen him since. (not, I didn't see).

Ever since my colleague left, I haven't had any news of him. (not, I didn't have).

4.                       Before

Before means 'at an earlier time', so it refers to past time: Before I became a teacher, I worked as a clerk.

5.                       Seldom

Seldom has a negative meaning. I seldom go out these days.

One seldom finds good writing these days.

6.                       Already/yet

i)                    Already means 'by this/that time'. It is used in positive statements: He has finished the work already.

She has already typed all the letters. We don't say:

He hasn't begun the work already.

ii)                  Yet has the same meaning as elreedy; i.e., 'by this/that time' but it is chiefly used in negative statements and questions:

He hasn't finished the work yet. They haven't yet repaired the road. (not, He has begun the work yet.)

iii)                In positive statements yet means still, i.e., even to this time, so it refers to future time:

I am yet to decide on the future course of action. We have yetto find out how to reach the place.

iv)                In negative interrogatives yet expresses surprise or annoyance: Haven't you heard the news yet?

Hasn't the train got in yet?

v)                  In interrogative sentences already expresses surprise: Have you heard the news already?

Have you had lunch already?

vi)                In questions already expects a positive confirmatory reply i.e. Yes. Have you finished already?

Yes, I have, I have finished already.

In questions yet is neutral, so the reply can be either positive or negative- yes or no:

Haven't you finished yet?

Yes, I have. I have finished already. No, I haven't. I haven't finished yet.

vii)              Already is usually used with present perfect but it can be used with other forms as well:

Guests have started arriving already. It is 9 0' clock already.

7.                       Still

Still means 'even to this/that time'.

i)                    It is chiefly used in affirmative and interrogative sentences: The train is still at the station.

She is still waiting for her son. Do you still believe in ghosts?

ii)                  Still is placed immediately after verb be, though with other verbs there is an option:

They are still busy. (not, are busy sti II) But,

He still loves her.

Or, He loves her still.

iii)                Still, like yet, can be used in negative sentences to express surprise or annoyance:

He still doesn't agree.

They still haven't finished!.

8.                       So far/uptill now

So far/uptill now takes present perfect, not simple past: She hasn't written to me 50 far.

I haven't heard the news uptill now. (But not, He didn't call me uptill now.)

9.                       Just

i)                    just is used with present perfect tense to indicate an action done recently, i.e., in the immediate past:

The train has just got in. (i.e., The train got in a few minutes ago.) We have just had lunch. (i.e., We had lunch a few minutes ago.)

ii)                  just is usually used in affirmative and interrogative sentences. It is not used in negative sentences. We don't say:

He hasn't just left for home.

iii)                just is placed between has or have and the past participle:

He has just finished the work. (not, He just has finished the work.) They have just got married. (not, They have got just married.)

iv)                In a question just is placed before the past participle:

Hasn't Sachin just broken the record held by Haynes? (not, Hasn't just ... )

v)                  just meaning 'exactly/precisely' is used before a noun phrase/clause. It is just 7 0' clock.

This is just what I wanted.

vi)                just meaning 'at this/that very moment' is placed after the verb be: He is just about to speak. (not, He is about just to speak)

Her new novel is just out.

vii)              justmeaning 'onlylbarely' is placed after the verb 'to be' or before an infinitive.

He just managed to catch the train. She went home just to see her mother.

10.                  Present perfect and adverb of time

The present perfect form does not occur with an adverb or adverb phrase denoting ti me:

He passed the examination last year. (not, has passed) They left this place a week ago. (not, have left)

11 .      Adverb of time and preposition

No preposition is used before an adverbial phrase of time. He came here this morning. (not, in this morning)

She will get back next day. (not, on next day)

He worked hard all day/night. (not, on all day/night)

I was busy all morning/evening. (not, in all morning/evening)

5.7.2    Adverbs of place

1 i)      adverb of place + else

somewhere else, nowhere else, anywhere else

Here else is used to avoid an inconvenient construction-some other place/ any other place/no other place:

She has gone to some other place. She has gone somewhere else.

Is there any other place we can go to? Can we go anywhere else?

ii)                  somewhere/anywhere

a)    somewhere, like some, is used in affirmative sentences: He will get a job somewhere. (not, anywhere)

b)     Anywhere, like any, is used in negative and interrogative sentences: I didn't see her anywhere. (Not, somewhere)

Did you see her anywhere? (not, somewhere)

2. There

We distinguish between two uses of there viz., as an adverb, and as an introductory there. The latter is called 'introductory' because it is used just to introduce a sentence. It is also called 'empty there' because it does not contribute to meaning. It is used to denote existence, not place, so it is different from there as an adverb of place:

There is a problem. ('empty there')

I kept the book there. (adverb of place)

i)                    The empty subject there can be followed by either a singular or a plural form of the verb be, or verbs like seem, appear etc.

The choice depends on the 'number' of the complement of be. There are at least three issues.

There has been an attempt to blow up the building. There seems to be a problem.

ii)                  A sentence cannot begin with there when the subject is definite or known already:

There is the temple on the hill. But we can say:

There is a temple on the hill.

3 . Direct/Directly

i)                    Direct means, without interrupting one's journey/going straight: This train goes to Delhi direct.

We drove direct to the bride's home.

ii)                  Directly means 'at once/without delay': I will be at my uncle's directly.

4.                       First/Firstly

i)                    First is an adjective and an adverb as well. Firstly is an adverb only, not an adjective.

ii)                  both are used in enumeration, i.e., in a list of reasons or arguments: first, secondly, thirdly, lastly, finally etc.

In current English first is usually preferred to firstly.

Note: a) First/firstly is followed by secondly/thirdly etc.

b)    In technical use first/firstly/secondlyetc. is often replaced by one, two three:

We need to consider this product because of three reasons. One, the price is cheap. Two, installation costs are low and three, there is provision for after sales service.

c)     first/firstly/secondly/one/two etc. is always separated from the sentence by a comma:

John may kindly be excused this time on three counts: First, he is a minor.

Secondly, he is an orphan. Thirdly, it is his first offence.

iii)                first (adverb) is used when it means 'before anyone or anything else': She came first in the exam. (not, firstly)

He reached the station first. (not, firstly)

iv)                first (adverb) is used when it means 'for the first time': When was English first introduced in India? (not, firstly)

v)                  first (adverb) is used when it expresses preference in general or to something else:

We are human beings first. (not, firstly)

You ought to resign from this party first. (not, firstly)

5.7.3    Adverbs of degree

1.                          Much/very/very much

i)   Very is used to modify adjectives or adverbs in the positive degree:

1.                       He works very hard. (adverb))

2.   She is very tired. (adverb))

3.   This is very interesting. (adjective)

4.   He is very wise. (adjective)

In none of these, can very be replaced by much.

ii)    Much or very much is used before a past participle when it is part of the passive verb:

1.   He was much surprised at the news. (not, very surprised)

2.   This poem has been very much admired. (not, very admired)

3.   His new novel has been much criticised. (not, very criticised)

4.   He is very much loved and respected in our village. (very loved)

Note: Much/very much is used before amused,. impressed, distressed, liked, disliked, and shocked.

I was much amused to hear about his adventures. (not very amused)

The audience was much impressed with the performance. (not, very impressed)

iii)                Very much is used to modify affirmative verbs: He likes classical music very much.

She loves this poor boy very much.

Very much is not generally used to modify negative verbs, though one can occasionally say:

I don't like pop music very much.

iv)                Much meaning 'a lot' is used to modify a negative verb: He doesn't eat much.

She doesn't talk much.

In the affirmative much is very often replaced by a lot or good deal: He eats much. (He eats a lot).

He talks much (He talks a lot).

v)                  The very and much the are used before superlative degree: He is the very best boy in the class.

He is much the best boy in the class.

In this construction much comes before the, but very comes after the: much the tallest, the very tallest

Note: the very (adjective)

The very can be used as an adjective meaning exactly or precisely: This is the very book I wanted to get.

The is always used before very as an adjective.

vi)                Much (but not very) is used with comparative adjectives and adverbs too: This house is much smaller than that. (comparative adjective)

She runs much faster than John. (comparative adverb)

2.                       Too/very

i)                    too + adjective/adverb denotes excess of a quality, i.e., in a higher degree than is proper or necessary, so it is used in a negative sense:

Your coat is too long. (longer than it should be)

He speaks too quickly. (more quickly than he should)

ii)                  very + adjective/adverb

Very is an intensifier, it has no inherent positive or negative sense: I'm very glad to see you. (not, too glad)

She types very carefully. (not, too carefully) They are very poor. (not, too poor)

iii)                too + adjective/adverb + infinitive

In this construction, too + adjective/adverb expresses cause and the infinitive, a negative result:

1.   She is too busy to worry about these matters. (She is so busy that she can't worry about these matters.)

2.                       She runs too slowly to win the race.

(She runs so slowly that she can't win the race.)

This construction is not possible with an infinitive showing positive result:

We don't say:

She is too rich to buy a car.

He is too wise_to solve this problem. He runs too fast to win the race.

3.                       Too much

i)                    Too much and much too express excess: It gives me too much pain.

You eat too much.

It is much too painful.

ii)                  Very much denotes, beyond limit: I love her very much.

Thank you very much.

4.                       Very/only too

They both denote willingness:

We will be only too glad to help you. We will be very glad to help you.

5.                       Too/also/as well

i)                    They all mean 'in addition to':

He has got a scooter and a car too/also/as well.

ii)                  In informal style too or as well is preferred to also. He gave me food and money also.

He gave me food and money, too.

In speech, as well is often preferred to too. He gave me food and money as well.

Note: Too or as well is usually placed after the word it modifies; there is a comma before too.

6.                       Too and either/neither/nor

i)                    Too is used when both the sentences are affirmative: Sonia plays tennis.

Neeraja plays tennis, too.

ii)                  Either/neither/nor is used when both the sentences are negative: He doesn't play tennis and she doesn't either.

He doesn't play tenn is and neither does she.

Too is not used in negative sentences and either, neither or nor in affirmative sentences.

We don't say:

He isn't rich and she isn't rich, too.

He is a leader and she is a leader either.

Note: Inversion of the subject and verb occurs when neither or nor is placed at the beginning of a clause:

He isn't a doctor.

Neither is she. (not, neither she is) They don't gossip about others.

Nor do we. (not, nor we do)

7.                       Enough

i)                    adjective/adverb + enough denotes a limit, i.e. to the right degree sufficiently.

So it is used in a positive sense:

He is rich enough. (as rich as he should be)

I consider her wise enough. (as wise as she should be)

ii)                  adjective or adverb + enough + infinitive

In this construction adjective/adverb + enough expresses a 'cause' and the infinitive 'a positive result':

1.   He is rich enough to buy a new house.

(i.e. He is so rich that he can buy a new house.)

2.   She is strong enough to bend this rod.

(i.e. She is so strong that she can bend this rod.) We don't say:

She is poor enough to own a car. He is weak enough to run fast.

iii)                Enough follows the adjective or adverb whereas too precedes it; He was kind enough to help me.

He is too honest to tell a lie.

iv)                Since too is negative in sense it takes any, but enough takes some because it is positive:

He is too proud to listen to any advice

The room is spacious enough for some more chairs.

8.                       Little/a little

i)                    Little is used in a negative sense because it means 'not at all':

It is a little known fact that depression is curable. (not many know) Little did I suspect that he would betray me. (I didn't suspect)

ii)                  A little is used in a positive sense because it means somewhat or to some extent:

I have finished the work, so I feel a little relaxed now. How about a little outing to cheer us up?

Note: The little is always used as an adjective, not as an adverb.

The little child played with the flower.

9.                       Fairly/Rather

Both mean to a moderate degree, moderately, or not very.

i)                    Fairly is usually used with favourable adjectives or adverbs, so it expresses one's liking or approval:

The sisters did fairly well in the exam.

i i) Rather is usually used with unfavourable adjectives or adverbs, so it expresses one's dislike or disapproval:

Geography is fairly easy but Mathematics is rather difficult. Pramila is fairly intelligent but Sujatha is rather dull. We don't say:

This problem is fairly perplexing. The room is rather comfortable.

iii)                Rather can be used with favourable adjectives or adverbs as well when it means 'on the contrary', i.e., to make contrary additions to remarks:

1.   I was told that his is a bad film.

N0, it is rather good. (On the contrary, it is good)

2.   He can be very nasty.

On the contrary. He was rather gentle with me.

iv)                Rather is often used with favourable adjectives or adverbs when it expresses a oned down version of very:

1.   This story is very amusing. This story is rather amusing.

2.   She is playing very well. She is playing rather well. Fairly is never used in the sense of very.

Rather can be used with too:

1. This is room is rather too small for me. Fairly can't be used with too and comparatives . we don't say:

She is fairly too tall.

He is fairly better today.

10.   So or so ... as

So is used before an adjective or adverb to express comparison: As or 50 ... as is used in the negative

She is not 50 tall as her. She is not as tall as her.

In the affirmative as ... as is used

M~ monkey is as intelligent as yours.

(So ... as is not used in the affirmative, viz. She is so clever as her friends.)

11.   Quite

i)   Quite means completely or perfectly when it modifies non-gradable adjectives or very strong adjectives or participles like these:

right, wrong, full, empty, dead, ready, unique, perfect amazing, shocking, horrifying

1.   It is quite right.

2.   The hall is quite empty.

3.   We are quite ready now.

4.   Your remark is quite amazing.

5.   I was quite shocked to hear the news.

In sentences I ike these quite heightens the effect on the adjectives or participles it modifies.

Note: a) Non-gradable adjectives I ike right or wrong take quite, not very.

1.   That's quite right (not, very)

2.   He is quite dead. (not, very)

b)   Quite right/all right/quite all right

Quite right, and all right have the same meaning. They are interchangeable.

Quite all right is substandard English. It is permissible only in vel) informal style: Oh, that's quite all right.

c)   alright

This is not a standard spelling. The correct form is all right.

d)   OK

In colloquial style all right is often replaced by OK:

1.   Would you give me a lift, please? OK I will.

2.   She has done OK in the exam.

ii)    Quite means not very, moderately, fairly, to a certain extent-when it modifies gradable adjectives (i.e. such adjective as can be put into the comparative or superlative form):

1.   He is quite a good boy.

2.   She is quite polite/gentle.

3.   It is quite a long distance.

4.   This is quite an amusing story.

In sentences like these quite has a reducing effect on the adjectives it modifies

and thus the adjective is scaled down from the expected norm, so quite disturbing means 'less than very disturbing'.

Avoid using quite in the sense of very:

1.   We admire Vikram Seth because he is a very good poet. (not, quite)

2.   I am very sorry to hear the news of his death. (not, quite). Note: a) quite/quite so

In spoken Engl ish yes is often replaced by quite or quite so to express agreement with a remark:

It is very cold. Quite/Quite so.

b) Quite is not used with a negative verb:

viz., It is not quite hot.

12. Hard, Hardly, Scarcely, Barely

i)   Hard means with all one's force or strenuously:

1.   His performance is far below average. He has to work hard. (not hardly)

2.   I'm tryi ng hard to get a job. (not hardly)

ii)    Hardly, scarcely, barely is negative in meaning because it means almost no/ not:

1.   He hardly works.

2.   He scarcely knows me.

3.   She can barely read and write.

iii)    Because of its negative connotation hardly or/scarcely is used with any or ever not with some or never:

1.   He has hardly any money. (not, some money)

2.   He hardly ever helps anybody. (not, ever helps somebody)

5.7.4    Ever and Never

i)   Ever means 'at any time' when it is used in questions:

1.   Have you ever seen a giraffe?

2.   Have they ever visited us?

3.   Did you ever visit Nepal?

ii)                  Ever, like never, means 'at no time' when it is used with a negative verb:

1.   I haven't ever been to Mandu.

2.   He hasn't ever been in an aeroplane.

3.   She hasn't ever tried rasgulas.

negative verb + ever is equivalent to affirmative verb + never. I haven't ever been on an elephant.

Or, I have never been on an elephant.

Note: never + ever

Sometimes never + ever is used instead of not + ever. I have never ever eaten a frog.

Or, I haven't ever eaten a frog.

iii)                Ever is placed after a subject in question:

1.   Has your rabbit ever eaten your carrots? (not, has ever your. ..)

2.   Do you ever sleep in the class? (not, do ever you ... )

iv)                Ever is placed after a verb in a negative statement:

1.   I haven't ever seen the ocean. (not, ever haven't seen)

2.   He doesn't ever come late for lunch. (not, ever doesn't come)

v)                  Ever like any is not used in a positive reply to a question: Have you ever climbed a mountain?

- Yes, I have. (not, I have ever)

vi)                Ever can be used in affirmative sentences expressing doubt or condition:

1.   I don't think he ever helps his old parents. (not, never)

2.   If she ever goes to England she will see the British museum. (not, never)

vii)              Ever can be used with comparatives (after than) or superlatives.

1.   She is happier now than ever.

2.   He is the finest gentleman (that) I have ever met.

viii)              Never is used with an affirmative verb:

1.   He has never climbed Mount Everest. (not, hasn't ever)

2.   They have never visited us. (not, haven't ever)

ix)                Never is used in questions expressing surprise:

1.   Have you never been to the new temple?

2.   Have you never watched a football match in a stadium? Note: a) ever/never

Of the two ever is the more useful in questions:

1.   Have you ever had an accident?

2.   Have you ever seen a rainbow?

b) The response to a question with ever can be either positive or negative because it is neutral:

Have you ever played in the sea?

-   Yes, I have. - No, I never have.

However, a question with never expects a positive reply.

1.   Have you never seen the inside of an aeroplane?

-   Yes, I have.

2.   Have you never caught a cold?

-   Yes, I have.

Very rarely, one may be surprised by a negative reply: Have you never consulted a dictionary?

No, I never have.

5.7.5    Interrogative adverbs

When a question begins with an interrogative adverb, inversion of the subject and verb takes place:

1.   Why are you sad? (not, you are)

2.   How is he today? (not, he is) We don't say:

Where you are going? When you will go home?

Notice that it is not the presence of an interrogative adverb but the subject verb inversion that makes a sentence interrogative.

5.7.8 No any, none

They are used as adverbs as well:

1.   I can walk no farther than the bus stop.

2.   I can't go any further now.

3.   Are you any better now?

4.   She is none the worse for the accident.

5.   He is none the wiser for your advice.

In a sentence like these no or none means 'in no degree or not at all', and any means 'in any degree at all'.

Note: a) Some is not used as an adverb, instead we use somewhat Is she somewhat better now? (not, Is she some better now?)

b) no+different

Since different implies a kind of comparison, no as an adverb is used to premodify it. In this construction no means’ in no degree, or not at all”.

So it has the same meaning as none. This song is no different from that one.

5.8             Conclusion

This unit has given you a fairly detailed idea about the usage of adverbs in English.

5.9             Unit end Questions

1                       Give the functions of Adverbs.

2                       Name the kinds of Adverbs with examples.