Adverbs

The word adverb suggested the idea of adding to the meaning of a verb. This is what many adverbs do. They can tell us something about the action in a sentence by modifying a verb, i.e. by telling us how, when, where, etc. something happens or is done: He played the piano beautifully.

However, adverbs can also modify: adjectives: very good; awfully hungry; other adverbs: very soon; awfully quickly; prepositional phrases: You’re entirely in the wrong; complete sentences: Strangely enough, I won first prize; nouns: The man over there is a doctor.

Adverbs can be single words (slowly) or phrases (in the garden) and the term adverbial is often used to describe both types.

Like – As

Like is used: a) for similarities. She works like a slave. (She isn’t a slave); b) after feel, look, smell, taste, sound + noun. It feels like velvet. It looks like Turner is going to win the race; c) with nouns, pronouns or the -ing form to express similarity. It’s like walking on a tightrope.

As is used: a) to say what somebody or something really is (jobs/roles). She works as a clerk. (She’s a clerk); b) after accept, be known, class, describe, refer to, regard, use. He’s known as an expert on antiques; c) in the expressions: as usual, as ... as, as much, the same as. Certain items such as scissors, knives etc should be kept out of reach of children; d) in clauses of manner to mean “in the way that”. Do it as I showed you.

Exercise 131. Fill in “as” or “like”.

1. Although it lives in the sea, the whale is classed ...as... a mammal. It may look … a dangerous beast, but it is really … gentle … a lamb. 2. He works … a taxi driver and everybody keeps telling him not to give up his job! 3. McTaverty’s Tavern has been described … the best restaurant in Perthshire, with dishes that smell delicious and taste … they have been made with only the finest ingredients. Surprisingly, the prices are not … high … you might expect. 4. Marjorie works … a criminal lawyer and is regarded … an expert in her field. She works extremely hard and at the end of a long day in court all she feels … doing is collapsing in front of the TV. 5. If you want to go on a diet, do … your doctor tells you. There are some foods such … vegetables which you can eat … much … you want. Why not try soya meat? It tastes just … real meat and can be used in the same way … mince, but is a low-fat food. 6. … I was saying, you look exactly … my cousin Hilary – you know, the one who works … an air hostess. 7. Fred was known … an unpunctual person and … usual, he was late again. After standing in the rain … an idiot for half an hour, gradually getting wetter and wetter, I decided to go home before I began to look … a drowned rat. 8. Howard and Hugh aren’t related but they look almost exactly the same … each other. They are referred to … “The Twins”. When they walk into a room, it’s … seeing double. 9. For … long … I live, I’ll never forget my first holiday in Hawaii. It was … paradise. I intend to return there … soon … I can afford the air fare. 10. Trying to make sense of the written word is a bit … being lost in a forest: all the trees look the same, just … for a young child all the words look the same … each other. 11. My friend George describes himself … a great singer. He thinks he has a voice … an angel, but when he sings it sounds … a cat wailing!