The Communicative Grammar of English Workbook - Edward Woods, Rudy Coppieters 2002

7.14. Manner, means and instrument
Unit seven. Adverbs, adverbials and prepositions

Sections 194-197; 453

Adverbials of manner, means and instrument specify how an action is performed or how an event takes place. They usually have end-position, but in passive sentences mid-position is also possible: The point was put well. / The point was well put.

• Manner is expressed by adverbs, adverb phrases or prepositional phrases: (to speak) (very) confidently, in a confident manner/way, with confidence. Manner is sometimes combined with comparison: (to play) like/as an actor/as if one were an actor

• Means is typically expressed by a phrase introduced by the preposition by: by car, by the gate

• Instrument is typically expressed by a phrase introduced by the preposition with or without: with a key/without (using) a key.

Task one **

Identify the adverbials of manner and means in the following texts, classifying them on the basis grammatical structure.

1. Drive extremely carefully when the roads are icy. Avoid sudden actions as these could cause ask You should

• Drive at a slow speed in as high a gear as possible; accelerate and brake very gently

• Drive particularly slowly on bends where skids are more likely. Brake progressively on t straight before you reach a bend. Having slowed down, steer smoothly round the bend, avoidi sudden actions

• Check your grip on the road surface when there is snow or ice by choosing a safe place to bra gently. If the steering feels unresponsive this may indicate ice and your vehicle losing its grip the road. When travelling on ice, tyres make virtually no noise.

(from The Highway Code, §20

2. Unlike the man before her she moves like a soldier, at a fast cat-like crouch, weaving and ducki and using the river bed for cover.

(from Michael Palin, Full Circle, p. 29

Task two **

Complete the following sentences by adding an adverbial of manner, means or instrument on the ba of the noun phrase in brackets. In some cases two or three different forms are acceptable.

1. The trade unions protested against the government’s measures. (vigour)

2. The new proposal was received. (enthusiasm).

3. The losing team fought back. (courage)

4. The local tribes were treated. (cruelty and injustice)

5. I was dressing the patient’s wounds. (a qualified nurse)

6. Mr Pym was behaving towards the new trainee. (a sixteen-year-old)

7. The front gate was locked, so I tried to get in. (the backdoor)

8. Fortunately, we were able to communicate. (mobile phone)

9. The employers sought to win over the workers. (a pay rise)

10. Why don’t we resolve the problem? (a change of tactics)

11. The burglars knocked the night porter unconscious. (a baseball bat)

12. We cannot reduce the flood risk. (proper sea defences)

Task three **

Fill the gaps in the following sentences, adding the most appropriate of the adverbials listed below:

1. Susan had been writing a letter, ... .

2. I only managed to get leave of absence ... .

3. We got down to the beach ... .

4. Time passes ... when you are waiting.

5. The burglar forced open the greenhouse ... .

6. Jonathan’s bride watched over him ... .

7. You can travel on public transport between cities ... .

8. When morning came, I was dressed ... and still shivering.

9. Live each day ... .

10. Do not scare animals ... .

11. We boarded the plane ..., ... .

12. This vast amount of detail can only be conveyed ... .