An adverb is a word that modifies an adjective, adverb, preposition, phrase, or sentence, expressing some relation of place, time, circumstance, causality, manner, or degree.
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2answers
260 views
What is the grammatical function of “never”?
What is the grammatical function of "never" in the following sentence?
You will have to do something you've never done.
Is it an adverb? My father disagrees with this.
In "I have studied" vs. ...
3
votes
2answers
131 views
Is this 'off' also an adverb?
In this example sentence:
He needs more time off duty for relaxation and rest.
the Longman dictionary says that off in the given example is an adverb. If the sentence was:
"He needs more ...
8
votes
7answers
4k views
When did the word “so” begin to be used to start a sentence?
In the last few years, I've noticed a growing usage of the word "so" to begin a sentence, especially in the context of higher education.
For example:
Interviewer: "What is the nature of your ...
5
votes
1answer
204 views
Is “best” an adverb?
In the sentence below, is best an adverb? If so, what does it modify, left or are?
We’re best left alone.
2
votes
3answers
125 views
Can adverbs of high/increasing speed be applied to not doing something?
There was some chat earlier about adverbs. We were trying to demonstrate that maybe is an adverb.
Reg did this deftly by replacing maybe with other adverbs and then a noun, to show that the noun ...
2
votes
1answer
316 views
“Thus” vs. “Thusly”
I read an article that used "thusly" and was wondering if there is any grammatical credence to it.
The quote:
The issue started when Sokolowski quickly ran out of storage capacity in his 32GB ...
1
vote
3answers
973 views
'of yet' and 'as of yet'
Can ‘of yet’ be used with the same meaning of ‘as of yet’? For example:
Most importantly, he’s found footprints of dinosaurs that we haven’t found bones of yet.
Does this mean the same thing as ...
1
vote
1answer
90 views
Is ‘there’ being treated as an object (noun)? [closed]
The word "there" in this sentence doesn't seem to be necessary. But if it is there, what exactly is it? A noun? An adverb?
See there where the willow bends over the brook.
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1answer
113 views
Adverb of “gullible” [closed]
What is the adverb form of gullible? I tried using gullibly but it apparently isn't a word. Is it one of those adjectives that simply don't have an adequate adverb?
3
votes
1answer
1k views
“Unequivocably” vs. “unequivocally”
I was interested in the following sentence which appeared in a news article titled “SCIENCE WATCH; PROGRESS IN AIDS DISPUTE” in The New York Times (March 10, 1987).
Dr. Robert Gallo at the cancer ...
4
votes
4answers
384 views
“Overseas” vs. “abroad”
I'm a native speaker of Inland Northern American English. My intuition tells me that the word "abroad" is unremarkable, especially in collocations like "study abroad".
However, I've been ...
1
vote
1answer
609 views
“You should have also named” vs. “you should also have named”
Out of the two sentences, which one is correct?
You should have also named it the Daily prophet.
You should also have named it the Daily prophet.
My guess is it's the first one.
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votes
5answers
613 views
“Hardly” vs. “barely”
I'm from Germany and in German both translate to the same word (kaum). I'd like to know the difference between these two words, hardly and barely.
2
votes
2answers
115 views
Single word for “working without details” [closed]
I'm looking for one word that expresses lack of information, lack of knowledge and lack of guidance. The word is an adverb.
It could be used in a sentence like so:
He was working on a project ...
-2
votes
3answers
386 views
More grammatically correct: “anything but” or “anything except”?
Could you tell me which of these phrases is grammatically correct — "anything but" or "anything except"?
If the use depends on context, what are the instances when each must be preferred?
0
votes
1answer
131 views
“Partially correct” vs. “partial correct” [closed]
It's partially correct.
It's partial correct.
Which of the following is grammatical?
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vote
4answers
2k views
Real quick question [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Can “real” be used as an adverb to describe an adjective?
Let me just ask you something real quick. Is my previous sentence wrong? Must the real part be "really"?
Some ...
0
votes
0answers
35 views
Meaning of “ still” in context [closed]
I have been trying to translate the following:
Some saw just the face, others just the body, still others heard the
speech run through a filter that made the words unintelligible but
left the ...
8
votes
5answers
560 views
Is it poor style to use adverbs ending in “ly” in formal writing?
I came across this infographic which contains the following claim:
Some grammarians consider "ly" ending adverbs as bad style in formal writing.
Are there any serious style advice sources that ...
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votes
5answers
217 views
“Not once he would” vs. “not once would he”
Not being a native speaker and suffering semantic satiation from overthinking this, I'd like to ask this probably overly simple question.
Not once would he...
uses reversal for negation and ...
2
votes
2answers
144 views
Plastic or rubber stretched too much is (hardly/strongly) stretched?
If you want to describe a stretched plastic cable, would you say that it was hardly stretched or strongly stretched?
1
vote
2answers
191 views
Using “yet” and “still”
When someone says,
The changes have to be updated.
someone may reply,
Those changes need to be made but the plan to make those changes does not yet exist. (as sometimes found)
Is it ...
18
votes
4answers
2k views
Correct position of “only”
Which is grammatically correct?
I can only do so much in this time.
or
I can do only so much in this time.
0
votes
2answers
211 views
Word order with “just” and “only” meaning “merely”
Marking a German student's test I have encountered the following problem:
The relationship between the two adolescents is one-sided. Just the boy really feels something, the girl hates him.
Can ...
0
votes
2answers
346 views
Adverb word order: “nicely shows” vs “shows nicely”
I have the following sentence in my dissertation:
The even-tempered STO basis for Mg shows nicely why the virial theorem cannot be trusted as an error indicator.
However, previously I had there:
...
3
votes
3answers
635 views
“Already” at the beginning of a sentence
Is it considered good form to use the word already at the beginning of a sentence? For instance:
Already in 1930, certain people were watching television in their homes.
I have seen it used in ...
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votes
2answers
714 views
Starting a sentence with “apparently” [closed]
Can one start a sentence with the word apparently?
For example:
Apparently he did not pay him back.
I know that one should not start a sentence with because, but
what are some words that one ...
7
votes
7answers
5k views
Is it correct to start a sentence with 'also'?
Is it correct to start a sentence with 'also'?
Also, I had given him the file you sent me.
1
vote
1answer
99 views
meaning and usage of “in order the more” [closed]
I have just come across a phrase I have never seen before:
I do not so in order to undermine the status of xy but, on the contrary, in order the more securely to identify certain aspects.
A ...
8
votes
3answers
529 views
“Hard” vs. “hardly”
I have always found the pronounced distinction in meaning between "studying hard" and "hardly studying" a bit amusing.
What is the origin of the word hardly?
How is it etymologically connected to ...
-4
votes
1answer
265 views
What is the primary sense of “evidently”? [closed]
I have just looked in three dictionaries (American Heritage, Canadian Oxford & OED) for the word evidently and all three give "obviously, clearly" as the primary definition, whereas "it would ...
0
votes
2answers
587 views
Position of adverb 'globally' in sentence and meaning of sentence
Please help me make sense of this sentence with regards to 'globally'.
In the global arena, xxxxxx has been
described as the solution to the
challenges facing the commodities market globally ...
2
votes
1answer
419 views
The position of 'last' in sentences
My post on another site has prompted me to ask this question. What is the rule of using 'last' in a sentence?
For instance:
When did you revise this rule last?
When did you last revise this ...
4
votes
4answers
2k views
Get hold of, get ahold of, get a hold of
Under what circumstances would you prefer one of the below over others?
a) Get hold of,
b) Get ahold of,
c) Get a hold of
6
votes
1answer
274 views
Adverb vs. direct object [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What exactly is an “adverb”?
Consider the following sentences:
She went home.
He swam yesterday.
Are the words "home" and "yesterday" adverbs or direct ...
1
vote
1answer
259 views
Using “subject to” with a verb other than “to be”
Is it possible to use subject to with a verb other than to be?
for example:
The self-image is subject to changes. (Obviously OK)
Being bound to our self-image we react subject to behavior ...
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votes
2answers
198 views
Exact definition of “vehemently” [closed]
My work mates and I are arguing about this term since none of us can comprehend its exact definition. Can I use the expression "I have been struggling vehemently to get this email sent since last ...
7
votes
3answers
377 views
“Playing upstairs” vs. “Playing home”
As you know "upstairs" and "home" are both adverb of place. So while it would be correct to say:
The kids are playing upstairs. (Here the adverb upstairs provides
information about the place of ...
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votes
3answers
97 views
Use of comma after “accidentally” [closed]
Is a comma required after accidentally?
I accidentally sent you the wrong number.
4
votes
3answers
2k views
Opposite of “most recently”
What is a good way to formulate the opposite of "most recently"? For example,
Display the five most recently updated streams.
The two most recently hired coders are doing a great job.
How ...
1
vote
1answer
471 views
“overly confident” vs “over confident”
I hear or read both phrases regularly, and they seem to have the same meaning to me. But do they have different meanings? Or is “overly confident” even grammatically correct?
3
votes
2answers
185 views
Position of “now”
What is the difference in meaning between these two sentences?
This feature is now disabled.
This feature is disabled now.
2
votes
4answers
447 views
The use of “about” on “discuss” and “think”
Why is it grammatically incorrect to say
We would like to discuss about the matters at hands first.
But it is alright to say
I will think about what you have said this morning.
What ...
2
votes
2answers
176 views
Etymology of 'just' as an adverb and its French connection
Just (adj.):
late 14c., "righteous in the eyes of God; upright, equitable, impartial; justifiable, reasonable," from O.Fr. juste "just, righteous; sincere" (12c.), from L. iustus "upright, ...
2
votes
1answer
87 views
Parse tree of “several more successful books”
Let us consider the following sentence:
After that first attempt, she wrote several more successful books.
Does this mean she wrote several additional books that were also successful? Or that ...
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votes
2answers
179 views
Using “henceforth” to refer to future events, but from a “past perspective”
The title isn't great, sorry, I couldn't really come up with anything better :D Here's a bit of context:
I'm working on my thesis and am currently writing down the historical evolution of a certain ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
Which is correct: “I bought it online/offline”
On several occasions, someone has asked me where I purchased my shirt and I replied with "I bought it offline."
It didn't sound right to me.
My brain thought that I bought it 'off' of something ...
5
votes
4answers
2k views
“A year ago” versus “a year back”
I recently came across an article printed in our school magazine, which read, "I studied that a year ago". But, doesn't "I studied that a year back" sound better?
What's your say?
3
votes
2answers
1k views
When should you use “then” and when “than”?
As far as I know, then is used in a conjunction and in time-related sentences; than in all other cases. I believe that these are correct:
Because I'm older than she, I should be the first chosen;
I ...
2
votes
4answers
226 views
How to pronounce “linearly”?
As the title states, how do I pronounce the word "Linearly"? I did some Google searching on this but I was not able to find any guidance.
