13 Types of Adverbs - Definitions, Uses, Best 80+ Examples

An Adverb is a word used to modify any part of speech, except a Noun, a Pronoun, and an Interjection.

Lisa goes slowly. (Adverb modifies a verb)
Olivia is a very beautiful girl. (Adverb modifies an adjective)
She goes very slowly. (Adverb modifies another adverb)

The bird flew exactly over her head. (Adverb modifies a preposition)
We dislike her simply because she is very rude. (Adverb modifies conjunction)

Types of Adverbs in a Table

An Adverb may denote time, place, number manner degree, reason, purpose, condition, and contrast.

Adverbs of Time	Indefinite: after, ago, soon, early Definite: now, today, tomorrow	He will come now.
Adverbs of Place	here, there, far, near	We must take some rest here.
Adverbs of Number	once, twice, thrice, again, seldom, never, always, often	He did this once, but he will not do it again.
Adverbs of Manner	slowly, surely, certainly, badly, well, thus, probably, possibly	He did his work slowly but surely.
Adverbs of Degree	very, much, partly, wholly, quite, almost, enough	I am quite sure.
Adverbs of Reason	as, so, because	As he is ill, he will not come.
Adverbs of Purpose	that, so that	We read that we can learn.
Adverbs of Condition	if, unless	I shall help you if you come.
Adverbs of Contrast	though, although	Though he is rich, he is not happy.

Types of Adverbs in Detail

A) Simple Adverbs

Adverbs of Time
Adverbs of Place
Adverbs of Manner
Adverbs of Quantity
Adverbs of Cause-Effect
Adverbs of Purpose
Adverbs of Order
Adverbs of Affirmation
Adverbs of Negation
Adverbs of Degree

B) Relative Adverbs/Conjunctive Adverbs

Relative adverbs indicate their relationship to the antecedent whereas, Conjunctive Adverbs join two clauses other than the antecedent.

C) Interrogative Adverbs

To start a wh-question to gain information.

Types of adverb #1

Adverbs of Time

When or for how long the action is done.

Adverbs of Time: now, then, ago, again, already, always, before, after, since, seldom, often, soon, late, afterwards, today, tomorrow, yesterday, sometimes, ever, never, early, formerly, presently, recently, immediately, instantly, once, twice, thrice, etc.

Time	Examples
When?	He started early. The police arrived late.
How Long/How Often?	Do it now. He is always busy. She seldom makes mistakes. He comes here frequently.

Types of adverb #2

Adverbs of Place

Where the action is done

Adverbs of Place: here, there, near, far, away, abroad, above, below, down, out, up, anywhere, everywhere, in, on, inside, outside, within, without, etc.

Place	Examples
Where?	Come here. / Go there. Go away. / Go anywhere. Wait here for the stranger.
Where From?	This was collected locally. This question is out of the syllabus. The stranger came from outside the country.

Types of adverb #3

Adverbs of Manner

How the action is done

Adverbs of Manner: ill, well, thus, and adjective + ly.
The largest class of Adverbs of Manner comes from Adjectives ending in -ly, such as: clearly, closely, correctly, bravely, badly, sadly, slowly, quickly, luckily, etc.

Manner	Examples
How?	The sick man walks slowly. Do your own work quickly. He can speak American English fluently.
In what manner?	The girl was treated badly. You have done well. Read the comprehensive passage aloud.

Types of adverb #4

Adverbs of Degree

How much or to what extent the action is done

Adverbs of Degree: almost, a little, quite, enough, very, much, too, so, somewhat, rather, partly, fully, wholly, completely, totally, entirely, poorly, deeply, greatly, etc.

Degree	Examples
How much?	I am quite happy. Sophia is fully prepared. Tom is greatly admired.
To what extent?	They are partly right. The mango is almost ripe. Emma is far better today.

Types of adverb #5

Adverbs of Cause Effect

Why the action is done

Adverbs of Cause Effect: hence, therefore, so, accordingly, consequently, etc.

Cause-Effect	Examples
Cause	He is hence absent.
Effect	Charlotte, therefore, left the school. Accordingly, I had to attend the meeting. Consequently, Amelia won the prize. Incidentally, Mia got the ticket.

Types of adverb #6

Adverbs of Purpose

For which the action is done

Adverbs of Purpose: that, so that, in order that.

Purpose	Examples
For Which	We eat in order that we may live. We read that (in order that) we learn. He works hard so that he can succeed.

Types of adverb #7

Adverbs of Order

In which order the action is done

Adverbs of Order: first, second, third, fourth, firstly, secondly, thirdly, fourthly, last, lastly.

Order	Examples
In which order	Emily came here first. Hazel was second in rank. Firstly, take a banana. Then wash it properly. Lastly, Camila was convinced.

Types of adverb #8

Adverbs of Affirmation

To express affirmation

Adverbs of Affirmation: yes, at all, perhaps, possibly, probably.

Affirmation	Examples
Supporting	Yes, I know it. Yes, you are right.

Types of adverb #9

Adverbs of Negation

To express negation

Adverbs of Negation: not, never, not at all

Negation	Examples
Denying	I do not know him. Zoe did not come here. Madison never failed the exam.

Types of adverb #10

Adverbs of Degree: Intensifier

To intensify an action

Intensifier: actually, certainly, surely, definitely, really, absolutely, thoroughly, utterly, very much, indeed.

Intensifier	Examples
Intensifying	Surely, you are mistaken. William would certainly go there. I really don’t know.

Adverbs of Degree: Downtoner

To downtone an action

Downtoner: hardly, scarcely, barely, nearly, rather, somewhat.

Downtoner	Examples
Downtoner	I can hardly / scarcely see it. This soup is rather hot. This is somewhat wrong. Benjamin can barely make both ends meet. It was nearly a month ago.

Types of adverb #11

Relative Adverbs

To denote their relation with the antecedent

Relative Adverbs	Examples
Relating to the antecedent	This is the place where he lives. [Rel. Clause] No one knows the time when he will come. [Rel. Clause] I know the reason why he did it. [Rel. Clause] I don’t know the process how he did it. [Rel. Clause]

Types of adverb #12

Conjunctive Adverbs

To join two Clauses without the Antecedent

Conjunctive Adverbs	Examples
Joining without the antecedent	This is where he lives. [Adv. Clause] You may go where you like. [Adv. Clause] You shall go when he comes. [Adv. Clause] I know why he did it. [Noun Clause] I don’t know how he did it. [Noun Clause] Henry came here while I was eating.[Adv. Clause]

Types of adverb #13

Interrogative Adverbs

To start a wh-question to gain information

Interrogative Adverbs	Examples
(1) Interrogative Adverbs of place [2] Interrogative Adverbs of time (3) Interrogative Adverbs of reason [4) Interrogative Adverbs of manner [5] Interrogative Adverbs of number [6] Interrogative Adverbs of quantity [7] Interrogative Adverbs of degree [8] Interrogative Adverbs of frequency	Where is the book? When will you go? Why are you late? How did you do this? How many boys are there? How much salt is there? How far was the report true? How often do you visit the temple?

Interrogative Adverbs: where, when, why, how, how much, how many, how far, how long

Interrogative Pronoun: who, whose, whom, what

Types of Adverbs