Adverbial Phrase

Adverbial phrases answer the questions 'when?' 'where?' 'why?' and 'how?'. 

Whales can move very fast. 

The cubs grow awfully fast. 

They reached home safe and sound. 

Last week he received the amount.

We must buy the tickets next week. 

He came last Sunday.

Adverb Questions

When?, Where?, Why? and How? are adverb questions. We can identify adverbs with the help of these questions. They can help us identify adverbial phrases also.

Types of Adverbial Phrase

There are many types of adverbial phrases. The most common adverbial phrases are:

Adverbial phrase of time (answers the question 'When')

Adverbial phrase of place (answers the question 'Where')

Adverbial phrase of manner (answers the question 'How')

Adverbial phrase of reason (answers the question 'Why') 

1. Adverbial Phrase of Time (WHEN)

Adverbial phrase of time tells us when something happens. It answers the question when. 

They go to cinema every week.

I was born in February.

2. Adverbial Phrase of Place (WHRE)

Adverbial phrase of place tells us where something happens. It answers the question where. 

Dad works in New York.

The sun rises in the east.

3. Adverbial Phrase of Manner (How)

Adverbial phrase of manner tells us how something happens. It answers the question how. 

They were speaking very loudly. 

She cried like a child. 

4. Adverbial Phrase of Reason (Why)

Adverbial phrase of manner tells us why something happens. It answers the question why. 

The man is crying for help. 

She is absent because of illness. 

The Form of Adverbial Phrase

Adverbial phrases have very irregular form. That is, you have to identify the adverbial phrases by their position and function in the sentence. Yet, the following examples will help you.

1. Adverbial Phrase = Intensifier + Adverb

Caterpillars walk very slowly.

Bolt runs extremely fast. 

2. Adverbial Phrase = Adverb + and + Adverb

He comes here off and on.

We requested him again and again. 

3. Prepositional Phrase as Adverbial Phrase

Phrases like preposition + noun are called prepositional phrases. Most prepositional phrases work as adverbs. When a prepositional phrase works like an adverb, we call it adverbial phrase.

We always play football after work. 

The fat cat sat on the mat.

He ran with great speed. 

He worked with all sincerity.

The book borrowed from the library is lost. 

When I went abroad, I stayed in the suburb of Australia. 

We met beside the camp.

Water passes through the pipe.

We were waiting for the bus. 

The police arrested him for speeding.

4. Infinitive Phrase as Adverbial Phrase

Infinitives often indicate purpose, reason or result. These infinitives along with their objects and complements form adverbial phrase.

He comes to see his children.

Agamemnon lived to regret his sin. 

I am glad to know your success.

I am going there to visit my friend. 

5. Nominative Absolute as Adverbial Phrase

Nominative absolute does the work of adverb and so it is called adverbial phrase.

The sun having set, we returned home. 

The director being absent, the manager presided over the meeting. 

6. Noun Phrases as Adverbial Phrase

Sometimes noun phrases can function like adverbial phrases. This mainly happens when a noun related to time is modified by this, last, next, and every.

It has been raining cats and dogs.

Father is coming next week. 

He came last week. 

He goes to school every day. 

Where will you stay next Monday?