The adverbial modifiers.

The adverbial modifier is a secondary part of the sentence which modifies a verb, an adjective or an adverb. According to their meaning we distinguish the adverbial modifiers of:

1. The adverbial modifier of time.

We shall try it tomorrow.

They reached the town the next morning.

2. The adverbial modifier of frequency.

He often bothered him.

3. The adverbial modifier of place and direction.

I found him in the garden.

He had spies everywhere.

4. The adverbial modifier of manner.

She spoke slowly.

He copies the letter with great care.

5. The adverbial modifier of purpose.

I have come to discuss the matter.

They cleared swamp growth for planting.

6. The adverbial modifier of cause.

I came back because of the rain.

7. The adverbial modifier of degree and measure.

I quite agree with her.

It weighs a pound.

8. The adverbial modifier of result.

She is too fond of the child to leave it.

9. The adverbial modifier of comparison.

John plays the piano better than Mary.

She is as busy as a bee.

10. The adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances.

He sat at the table reading a newspaper.

The adverbial modifier can be expressed by:

1. An adverb.

He quickly opened the door and ran out of the room.

2. A noun with or without accompanying words.

He was in the army during the war.

3. A participle or a participial phrase.

While reading the book I came across a number of interesting expressions.

4. An infinitive or an infinitive phrase.

I called on him to discuss this matter.

5. A prepositional phrase with a gerund.

On arriving at the station we went to the information bureau.

The independent elements of the sentence

The independent elements of the sentence are words and word-groups which are not grammatically dependent on any part of the sentence. They are:

1. Interjections, such as ah, oh, hurrah, eh, hallo, goodness gracious, good heavens.

Oh, if I only knew, I'd never come.

2. Direct address.

Good morning, sweet child!

3. Parenthesis.

To tell the truth, there was not much to listen to.

A parenthesis can be expressed by:

1. Modal words such as indeed, certainly, assuredly, in fact, naturally, actually, surely, possibly, perhaps, evidently, may be etc.

Evidently, he was not a man of fortune.

2. Adverbs which serve as connectives, such as firstly, secondly, finally, thus, anyway, moreover, besides, nevertheless, otherwise, still, yet, therefore etc.

Firstly, you should be well-prepared.

3. Prepositional phrases, such as in a word, in my opinion, in short, on the one hand, on the contrary, at lest etc.

By the way, Harry, is she your sister?

4. Infinitive or participial phrases, such as to be sure, to tell the truth, to begin with, generally speaking, to crown it all etc.

Frankly speaking, I don't want to go there.