A phrase is a collection of words without a subject or predicate. The phrase is the fundamental building block of English grammar.
Example: To speak the truth is a good habit. To do the sum is trouble. I saw a girl with long hair.
Adverbial Phrase Definition
An Adverbial Phrase is a group of words that work as an adverb.
- Alisha worked with care. (Carefully)
- Manila looked at the tiger with fear. (Fearfully)
- They left the town bag and baggage. (with all one’s belongings)
Read the following Adverbs and Adverbial Phrases:
| Adverbs | Adverbial Phrases |
| Carefully | With care. |
| Bravely | with bravery. |
| Beautifully | in a beautiful style. |
| Everywhere | in all places. |
| Here | at this place. |
| Now | at this very moment. |
| Recently | at present / at a recent date. |
Adverbial Phrases of Place
- The beggar is begging from door to door.
- The boys were running to and fro.
- They live in a foreign country. (Adv. abroad)
- His reputation as a professor spread far and wide
- He always keeps me at arm’s length.
- Lisa has gone somewhere else. (Adv. away)
- You can buy it at all places. (Adv. everywhere)
- The accident occurred on this spot. (Adv. here)
- Rocky ran at a great speed. (Adv. swiftly)
- Nobody can live on the moon.
- I stood on the roof at midnight.
- Make yourself at home.
Adverbial Phrases of Time
- He disobeyed my order again and again. (Adv. repeatedly)
- He at once left from there. (Adv. immediately)
- Dishonest people will be punished sooner or later or, in the long run. (Adv. ultimately)
- He will recover by and by. (Adv. gradually)
- He was imprisoned for a long or for long time.
- I hear from him every now and then. (Adv. frequently)
- The thief will be caught in time. (Adv. eventually)
- Now and then, it rains here (Adv. occasionally)
- He learns English off and on. (Adv. irregularly)
Adverbial Phrase in the Sense of Method or Type
- He stood by me through thick and thin.
- He faced death on his own accord. (Adv. voluntarily)
- He fought with the enemy tooth and nail (Adv. desperately)
- He abused the man without rhyme or reason (Adv. unreasonably)
- I have read your book through and through. (Adv. fully or thoroughly)
- I found the things of the room at sixes and sevens. (Adv. pell-mell)
- It was a moment of danger but he was equal to the occasion.
- At once we left Calcutta bag and baggage.
- Churchill was out and out a statesman. (Adv. undoubtedly)
- In ancient times soldiers fought hand to hand (Adv. manually)
- He tried heart and soul for success. (Adv. hard)
- The price of rice is rising by leaps and bounds. (Adv. rapidly)
Some Common Adverbial Phrases
- At any time
- At all/ In the least
- In no time
- For life.
- On foot
- Face to face
- In all
- By all means
- By force
- By the turn
- Through shame
- From age to age
- Once for all
- To this day
- At the door
- Side by side
- On the whole
- From head to foot
- In all respects
- By chance
- Owing to illness
- With attention
- The other day
- All day long
- Forever for good
- Up the river
- Two at a time / by two-step by step
- By (through) mistake
- Down (or, along) the street
- For want of time
- In course of time
- At last
- On horseback
- Nowadays
- Here and there
- At least
- More or less
- All of a sudden
- On oath
- In the long run
- In every house
- From day to day/day by day
- All the year round
- Down the river
- On the river
- One by one/one after another
- Bit by bit/ little by little
- On no account/ by no means
- On account of the rain
Also, Read
Adjective Phrases
Noun Phrase
