English grammar - Roger Berry 2012

B4.2 Conclusion
B4 Types of adverb
Section B Development

The traditional idea of adverbs, as modifying verbs (hence their name) in the same way that adjectives modify nouns, is far from being the full truth. Adverbs do many different jobs and not all are related to verbs. In fact, only the first type, central adverbs, are closely linked to verbs, and then not always.

Comments

Activity B4.1:

(1) and (3) are adverbs of manner; the saying and pressing are done in a hopeful way. (2), (4) and (5) are comment adverbs, showing the speakers’ position (’they are hoping/hopeful that . . .’). Often comment adverbs come at the start of a sentence and there may be commas separating them in writing, as in (4), but not always, as in (5).

Activity B4.2:

On lines (1), (4) and (5) however is a linking adverb; it contrasts the idea in this sentence with the one in the previous one (which we cannot see). Note the use of commas and the different positions. However, on lines (2) and (3) however is a degree adverb, modifiying the following adjectives, and meaning ’it does not matter how’. (In (2) it is actually part of a phrasal conjunction.)

Activity B4.3:

In lines (1) and (3) so is a degree adverb. On line (2) it is a linking adverb, while in line (4) it is a conjunction, though the meaning is still to with a consequence. In (5) there are two possible explanations: either ’not going to that party’ is treated as an adjective which can be modified by so as a degree adverb; or so can be regarded as a modal adverb similar in meaning to ’definitely’.