Adverbial

adverb phrase

  1. Descriptions
    • An adverb phrase is adverbial when it is used to modify a verb or an entire sentence.
    • Adverbial adverb phrases provide more information about when, where, how, what degree, or under what conditions, applied to the component they modify.
  2. Tag
    • rb+advl is tagged on the adverb of the adverb phrase.
  3. Examples
    • They arrived before sunrise
    • I will see you later tonight.
    • I raved about it afterwards.
    • He entered the room quietly.
  4. Discussions
    • sort of and kind of are treated as multi-word adverbs:
      • I kind of like running
    • We do not tag linking adverbs such as (pp. 558-559; 875-879):
      first, second, secondly, thirdly, lastly, altogether, overall, namely, ie, therefore, thus, however, alternatively, incidentally, now, next, further, similarly, also, likewise, moreover, i.e., e.g., consequently, so, then, anyway, yet, conversely, instead, anyhow, besides, nevertheless, still
    • Check out the list of the multi-word linking adverbs here.
    • Interpretation of some linking adverbs is based on the context in which they appear. For example,
      • Now, let’s examine the results of the experiment. (The adverb “now” serves as an introductory adverb to transition into the analysis, so it is not tagged.)
      • I need the report now. (The adverb “now” is used as a temporal indicator to denote immediacy, rather than serving as a linking adverb, so it is tagged.)

prepositional phrase

  1. Descriptions
    • A prepositional phrase as adverbial is tagged as adverbial when it functions as an adverbial.
    • Adverbial prepositional phrases typically correspond to one of these major groups:
      • Location/Place: conveys distance, direction, or position (she sat on the bench)
      • Time: indicates position in time, duration, frequency, or the temporal relation between two states (We will leave in the morning)
      • Process: describes the way something was done, including comparison between two states, accompaniment/grouping, demonstrate the explicit means through which an action was carried out, the item relevant to the state, or the agent of an action. (He spoke with enthusiasm)
      • Contingency: describes the cause, reason, purpose, concession, condition, and/or result (She could not see you under the spotlight)
    • They cannot stand on their own, as they are dependent phrases.
  2. Tag
    • in+advl is tagged on the preposition of the prepositional phrase.
  3. Examples
    • Alright, we’ll talk to you in the morning.
    • He left because of the rain. (Q. Do we tag because? or of?)
    • During the concert, they remained silent.
  4. Discussions
    • We are currently not tagging prepositional verbs, so the prepositions in such cases are tagged.
      • …we’re looking at the rate of return versus what?
    • Comparative constructions can be complex in English grammar, often involving combinations with prepositions. We currently tag these as prepositions.
      • She is as tall as her brother.
      • He is taller than his friend.
    • Check out the list of the multi-word linking prepositions here.