by Lucy E. Zahnle

Created on: June 05, 2010   Last Updated: January 27, 2012

Adverbs provide readers with greater description or detail regarding a sentence's verb. These details and descriptions address such diverse questions as why, when, where, how, and how often the verb action occurs. For instance, in a sentence which states that Joe went to bed early, the adverb “early” describes when Joe completed the action.

Adverb phrases, groups of words that are usually presented as a prepositional phrase or a phrase using the infinitive form of a verb, serve the same function as adverbs, but they usually provide even greater detail than basic, single word adverbs. Like a basic adverb, an adverb phrase describes or elaborates on the verb in a sentence, providing greater detail regarding how the action was completed, when the action was completed, where the action was completed, how often the action was performed, or why the action was necessary.

Here is an example:

 Adverb phrase demonstrating why: I ran to catch the bus. “To catch the bus” is the adverb phrase.

Adverb phrase demonstrating when:  I paid that bill last Tuesday. “Last Tuesday” is the adverb phrase.

Adverb phrase demonstrating where: I found the cat in the alley. “In the alley” is the adverb phrase.

Adverb phrase demonstrating how:  I smiled in a conciliatory manner. “In a conciliatory manner” is the adverb phrase.

Adverb phrase demonstrating how often: I pay my bills every month. “Every month” is the adverb phrase.

When adverb phrases are used skillfully, they can enhance any article or story. They allow writers to offer extra details or descriptions that bring sentences and scenes to life in the minds of readers.

However, writers should avoid using too many adverb phrases in a single sentence. Just as too many adjectives or adjective phrases can dilute the effectiveness of a text, too many adverbs or adverb phrases can create a confusing or convoluted passage that loses readers.

Writers should avoid stringing many adverb phrases together in a sentence. One well crafted adverb phrase that conveys the most important detail about an action will be more effective than a long line of adverb phrases that offer unimportant details. Below is an example:

Awkward and wordy example:  I rode toward the castle in a quick manner with spinning wheels and honking horn.

Better use of adverb phrase: I raced toward the castle, horn blaring.

In the above example, the adverb phrase “in a quick manner” has been replaced with a stronger verb and is now unnecessary. The adverb phrase “With spinning wheels and honking horn” has been replaced with a present participle phrase, “horn blaring,” which describes how the character was racing toward the castle. The “spinning wheels” passage has been deleted as an unnecessary detail. The only adverb phrase that remains is “toward the castle,” but the entire sentence has more energy and gives readers a greater sense of urgency.

Adverb phrases serve the same function as single word adverbs.  They add detail and description to the action in a sentence. Once a writer understands what they do and how to use them, they can be an excellent tool for adding interest and immediacy to both fiction and non-fiction.

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