ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the common types of adverb. As a word class, adverbs are rather problematic, much more so than any other word class, since there is very little that holds them together. Formally, there are a number of endings, such as -wise, -ways and the common -ly, but not all such words are adverbs, for example kindly. Many adverbs have no identifying ending. Structurally, they are found in the company of many word classes; they may modify almost anything: adjectives, other adverbs, verbs, nouns and clauses. Adverbs are normally quite moveable, but the default for most is the so-called 'middle position': between the subject and verb, after the first auxiliary if there is one: Adverbs are usually found in middle position. A number of different types of adverb can be distinguished: central adverbs, degree adverbs, modal adverbs, comment adverbs, linking adverbs, aspect adverbs and focussing adverbs.
