Adverbial Phrases: Definition, Examples, Usage and Practise Problems

How to Form an Adverbial Phrase?

To form an adverbial phrase, you typically start with a preposition, such as "in," "at," "on," "with," or "by," and then add a modifier like an adjective or adverb to provide more detail. This is often followed by a noun or pronoun to complete the thought, such as "in the park" or "with great enthusiasm." Additionally, adverbial phrases can sometimes be formed using infinitives, like "to win the game." The key is to combine these elements in a way that provides specific information about the action or description, enriching your sentences with more precise detail.

Elements of an Adverbial Phrase

• Preposition: Many adverbial phrases start with a preposition, which connects the phrase to the rest of the sentence, indicating relationships such as time, place, or manner. Examples include "in," "at," "on," "with," and "by."

• Modifier: This part of the phrase, which can be an adjective or adverb, adds more detail about the noun or pronoun that follows. Examples are "in the quiet night" or "at an impressive speed."

• Noun or Pronoun: The phrase typically includes a noun or pronoun that is described by the preposition and modifier, such as "in the room" or "with her."

• Infinitive (for Infinitive Phrases): Sometimes, adverbial phrases are formed using an infinitive verb, such as "to learn" or "to achieve success."

Points to Remember while Forming and Using an Adverbial Phrase

Creating an adverbial phrase becomes straightforward once you understand how the various components work together.

1. Multiple Adverbial Phrases in a Sentence: It's important to note that a sentence can contain more than one adverbial phrase. This allows for greater detail and clarity in describing the action or situation.

2. Flexible Placement: You can position the adverbial phrase anywhere in the sentence, depending on its significance. If the adverbial phrase is crucial to the action being performed by the subject, place it at the beginning of the sentence. Conversely, if the adverbial phrase provides additional, non-essential information, it can be positioned at the end of the sentence.

3. Punctuation Rules: When placing an adverbial phrase at the beginning of a sentence, follow it with a comma. If the adverbial phrase appears in the middle of the sentence, enclose it with commas, placing one before and one after the phrase. If the adverbial phrase is at the end of the sentence, no special punctuation is needed.

4. Forming an Adverbial Phrase: Adverbial phrases can be constructed using various combinations, including:

• A preposition, an article, and a noun (e.g., "in the park").

• A preposition, a pronoun, and a noun (e.g., "for him").

• An adjective and an adverb (e.g., "extremely fast").

• An adverb, a preposition, and a noun or pronoun (e.g., "quickly after the game").

• A preposition, an article, an adjective, and a noun (e.g., "under the old bridge").

• Multiple adverbs and an adjective (e.g., "very quickly indeed").

• Multiple adverbs modify one another (e.g., "almost always").

Words to Help You Create Adverbial Phrases

What Separates an Adverbial Clause from an Adverbial Phrase?

Here is the table explaining the difference between Adverbial Clause and Adverbial Phrase.

Examples of Adverbial Phrases and Their Usage in Different Scenarios

Adverbial Phrases Indicating Time

These adverbial phrases answer the question ‘when’.

• My mother was upset with me for arriving home so late.

• By midday, we had completed all the day's tasks.

• My aunt mentioned that she would be arriving in India in September.

• Until the previous year, Devi found it hard to adjust to the city and its culture.

• Interest waned towards the end of the show.

Adverbial Phrases Indicating Place

These phrases describe the location where an action occurs and answer the question ‘where’. They also include prepositional phrases functioning as adverbs.

• There’s a new grocery store directly across from my house.

• My father reminded us that he had parked the car just beside the overpass.

• We strolled across the bridge.

• Kids play at the park.

• Adults and teens are often seen walking along the pavements.

Adverbial Phrases Indicating Manner

These phrases describe how an action is performed, answering the question ‘how’.

• Anand waited quietly and patiently.

• Fortunately for my sister, she always got her way.

• Everything proceeded surprisingly smoothly.

• The teacher instructed the students to complete the evaluation forms very thoroughly.

• We managed to finish it fairly easily.

Adverbial Phrases Indicating Frequency

These phrases describe how often an action occurs, answering the question ‘how often’.

• Almost annually, we take a trip up North.

• Norah and her family visit her grandparents quite frequently.

• Manassa bakes a fresh batch of cookies every week.

• We rarely get a chance to take a break and go somewhere.

• Every other weekend, my friends and I gather for dinner.

Adverbial Phrases Indicating Reason

These phrases explain why an action takes place, answering the question ‘why’.

• We had to cancel our plans because of the unexpected rain.

• Schools will be closed for a week due to severe snowstorms.

• To stay updated with tech developments, my brother reads every blog on technological advancements worldwide.

• The little boy’s mother scolded him for breaking the glass bowl.

• I travelled to Chennai just to visit my friend.

Test Your Knowledge of Adverbial Phrase

1. Identify the Adverbial Phrase

In each of the following sentences, identify the adverbial phrase and state whether it refers to time, place, manner, frequency, or reason.

1. At the crack of dawn, we set out on our hike.

2. The children played with great enthusiasm during the summer camp.

3. Due to the heavy traffic, I arrived late to the meeting.

4. The conference will be held in the downtown convention centre.

5. She practices yoga every morning to stay healthy.

2. Complete the Sentence with an Adverbial Phrase

Fill in the blanks with appropriate adverbial phrases from the options provided.

1. She sings beautifully ___.
   Options: (at the concert, with her friends, every weekend, in the car)

2. They decided to go on a vacation ___.
   Options: (because they needed a break, in the middle of the week, quietly, at the beach)

3. He completed the project ___.
   Options: (with a lot of effort, yesterday, near the office, as soon as possible)

4. ___, the team celebrated their victory.
   Options: (During the award ceremony, under the moonlight, every year, due to the team's hard work)

5. She reads novels ___.
   Options: (in the library, carefully, on her tablet, every night)

3. Rewrite the Sentence Using an Adverbial Phrase

Rewrite each sentence to include an adverbial phrase that modifies the main action.

1. She finished her assignment quickly.
   Rewrite: ___

2. The kids played in the garden.
   Rewrite: ___

3. He was excited about the upcoming trip.
   Rewrite: ___

4. The car broke down on the highway.
   Rewrite: ___

5. They moved to a new house last month.
   Rewrite: ___

4. Choose the Correct Adverbial Phrase

Choose the correct adverbial phrase to complete each sentence.

1. They will meet ___.

a) on Friday

b) loudly

c) because of the rain

d) with their friends

2. The book was read ___.

a) at the bookstore

b) carefully

c) since last week

d) in the evening

3. The event was cancelled ___.

a) in the hall

b) to the public's dismay

c) very often

d) on Monday

4. She danced ___.

a) in the auditorium

b) happily

c) every day

d) because she loves dancing

5. The letter arrived ___.

a) with the morning mail

b) on Tuesday

c) at the address

d) so quickly

5. Create Your Adverbial Phrases

Write sentences using adverbial phrases for each of the following types:

1. Time: Example: “We’ll meet after the movie ends.”

2. Place: Example: “The picnic will be held in the park.”

3. Manner: Example: “She spoke with great confidence.”

4. Frequency: Example: “He visits his grandparents every summer.”

5. Reason: Example: “They left early because of the storm.”

Find Out if You Got them All Right from the Answers Below.

1. Identify the Adverbial Phrase

1. At the crack of dawn – Time

2. With great enthusiasm – Manner

3. Due to the heavy traffic – Reason

4. In the downtown convention centre – Place

5. Every morning – Frequency

2. Complete the Sentence with an Adverbial Phrase

1. She sings beautifully at the concert.

2. They decided to go on a vacation because they needed a break.

3. He completed the project with a lot of effort.

4. During the award ceremony, the team celebrated their victory.

5. She reads novels every night.

3. Rewrite the Sentence Using an Adverbial Phrase

1. She finished her assignment quickly.
   She finished her assignment with great speed.

2. The kids played in the garden.
   The kids played outside in the garden.

3. He was excited about the upcoming trip.
   He was excited about the upcoming trip because it was to Paris.

4. The car broke down on the highway.
   The car broke down while travelling on the highway.

5. They moved to a new house last month.
   They moved to a new house just last month.

4. Choose the Correct Adverbial Phrase

1. They will meet on Friday.

2. The book was read carefully.

3. The event was cancelled to the public's dismay.

4. She danced happily.

5. The letter arrived with the morning mail.

5. Create Your Adverbial Phrases

1. Time: We’ll meet after the movie ends.

2. Place: The picnic will be held in the park.

3. Manner: She spoke with great confidence.

4. Frequency: He visits his grandparents every summer.

5. Reason: They left early because of the storm.

Takeaways from this Page

• Adverbial phrases modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, providing additional information about the action in a sentence. They can indicate time, place, manner, frequency, or reason.

• Adverbial phrases can be formed with combinations such as a preposition and noun, an adjective and adverb, or multiple adverbs. The structure varies based on the type of information conveyed.

• These phrases can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence, depending on what they modify and the emphasis needed. Placement affects how the sentence’s meaning is perceived.

• When an adverbial phrase is at the beginning of a sentence, it is usually followed by a comma. If it appears in the middle, it should be set off by commas. No special punctuation is needed if it’s at the end.