We have already learned about sentence patterns consisting of just one noun and an intransitive verb. Sometimes we also add an adverb to this pattern.

She walked slowly. (Here the adverb slowly shows the manner in which she walks.)

He works hard.

Alice sobbed inconsolably.

John shouted loudly.

We can modify the noun (subject) by using attributes like adjectives or articles.

The boy cried loudly.

The little girl sat on the bench.

James is coming tomorrow.

The sun has already risen.

The terrible storm has at last subsided.

A gentle breeze was blowing across the meadow.

Notes

In this lesson the word adverb is generally used both for one-word adverbs (e.g. tomorrow, here, then, quickly, pleasantly) and for longer adverb phrases (e.g. in the morning, on the bench, in the corner, once every six weeks etc.)

The adverb doesn’t necessarily have to go after the verb.

Adverbs of manner (e.g. quickly, sweetly, hastily, angrily, carefully) usually go at the end of the sentence.

She drove carefully.

He spoke angrily.

Adverbs of time (e.g. tomorrow, yesterday, last week) can go either at the beginning or at the end of the clause.

John is arriving tomorrow.

Tomorrow John is arriving.

Adverbs of certainty and indefinite frequency usually go in mid-position. That means the adverb goes after the auxiliary verbs and before other verbs.

She will probably come. (NOT She will come probably.)