Adverb - Definition, Structure, Rules & Examples | EnglishEraWithAmitPoonia

 

What is an Adverb? 

An Adverb is a word that modifies (gives more information about) a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It tells us how, when, where, why, or to what extent an action happens.

Adverb (क्रिया-विशेषण) वह शब्द होता है जो क्रिया, विशेषण, या दूसरे क्रिया-विशेषण के बारे में अधिक जानकारी देता है। कैसे, कब, कहाँ, क्यों, या कितनी मात्रा में कोई कार्य होता है।

Examples:

He runs fast.

1. runs (दौड़ता है) → क्रिया
2. fast (तेज़) → क्रिया-विशेषण

3.    यह बताता है कि वह कैसे दौड़ता है।
fast शब्द क्रिया runs की विशेषता बता रहा है, इसलिए यह adverb है। 

Simple Adverb 

A Simple Adverb is a single word used to describe time, place, manner, frequency, or degree of an action.

TYPES OF ADVERBS

A. Adverb of Manner (कैसे)

An Adverb of Manner tells us how an action is done.
Adverb वह शब्द है जो बताता है कि कोई कार्य कैसे किया गया।

👉 It answers the question “How?”

Examples:

1. He works hard.
   वह मेहनत से काम करता है।

2. She speaks politely.
   वह नम्रता से बोलती है।

3. The child cried loudly.
   बच्चा ज़ोर से रोया।

Position in Sentence: Usually placed after the verb or object.

2. Adverb of Time (कब)

An Adverb of Time tells us when an action happens.
Adverb of Time (कालवाचक क्रिया-विशेषण) वह शब्द है जो बताता है कि कोई काम कब हुआ।

👉 It answers “When?”

Common Words

today, yesterday, tomorrow, now, then, soon, late, early

Examples:

1. I met him yesterday.
   मैं उससे कल मिला।

2. She will come tomorrow.
   वह कल आएगी।

3. He is leaving now.
   वह अभी जा रहा है।

Position in Sentence:  Mostly used at the end or beginning of the sentence.

3. Adverb of Place (कहाँ)

An Adverb of Place tells us where an action happens.
Adverb of Place (स्थानवाचक क्रिया-विशेषण) वह शब्द है जो बताता है कि कोई काम कहाँ हुआ।

👉 It answers “Where?”

Common Words

here, there, outside, inside, upstairs, nearby, away

Examples:

1. He is waiting outside.
   वह बाहर इंतज़ार कर रहा है।

2. Come here.
   यहाँ आओ।

3. The kids are playing there.
   बच्चे वहाँ खेल रहे हैं।

Position in Sentence: Generally placed after the verb or object.

4. Adverb of Frequency (कितनी बार)

An Adverb of Frequency tells us how often an action happens.
Adverb of Frequency (आवृत्तिवाचक क्रिया-विशेषण) वह शब्द है जो बताता है कि कोई कार्य कितनी बार होता है।

👉 It answers “How often?”

Common Words

always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never

Examples:

1. He always tells the truth.
   वह हमेशा सच बोलता है।

2. I often go for a walk.
   मैं अक्सर टहलने जाता हूँ।

3. She never lies.
   वह कभी नहीं झूठ बोलती।

Rule (Important for Exams)

1. Usually placed before the main verb

2. After be verb

Examples:

1. He always helps me.

2. She is often late.

5. Adverb of Degree (कितनी मात्रा में)

An Adverb of Degree tells us how much, how far, or to what extent something happens.

Adverb of Degree (परिमाणवाचक क्रिया-विशेषण) वह शब्द है जो बताता है कि कोई गुण या क्रिया कितनी मात्रा में है।
👉 It answers “How much?” / “To what extent?”

Common Words: very, too, quite, enough, almost, extremely

Examples 

1. She is very intelligent.
   वह बहुत बुद्धिमान है।

2. The tea is too hot.
   चाय बहुत ज़्यादा गरम है।

3. He is almost ready.
   वह लगभग तैयार है।

Important Rule: Adverb of degree usually modifies: an adjective, another adverb

6. Adverb of Reason

An Adverb of Reason tells us why an action happens. It gives the cause or reason behind an action.
कारणवाचक क्रिया-विशेषण वह शब्द होते हैं जो यह बताते हैं कि कोई काम किस कारण से हुआ।

👉 It answers the question “Why?”

Examples:

1. He was ill; therefore, he did not come.
   वह बीमार था; इसलिए वह नहीं आया।

2. It was raining; hence, the match was canceled.
   बारिश हो रही थी; इसलिए मैच रद्द हो गया।

3. She worked hard; so, she passed the exam.
   उसने मेहनत की; इसलिए वह परीक्षा में पास हो गई।

4. I know the reason why he left early.
   मुझे कारण पता है कि वह क्यों जल्दी चला गया।

Important Note (English Grammar)

1. because can act as a conjunction, but in traditional grammar it is often included under reason expressions.
2. Words like therefore, hence, so function as adverbial connectors.

7. Adverb of Affirmation (स्वीकारवाचक क्रिया-विशेषण)

An Adverb of Affirmation is used to confirm, agree, or state something positively.
स्वीकारवाचक क्रिया-विशेषण वे शब्द होते हैं जो किसी बात को सकारात्मक रूप से स्वीकार करते हैं या पुष्टि करते हैं।

👉 ये हाँ, निश्चितता, या सहमति दर्शाते हैं।

👉 It answers “Yes” or shows certainty.

1.      Yes, I agree with you.
हाँ, मैं तुमसे सहमत हूँ।

2.      He is certainly a good teacher.
वह निश्चित रूप से एक अच्छा शिक्षक है।

3.      She will surely help you.
वह अवश्य तुम्हारी मदद करेगी।

4.      This is indeed a great opportunity.
यह वास्तव में एक शानदार अवसर है।

8. Adverb of Negation (नकारवाचक क्रिया-विशेषण)

An Adverb of Negation is used to deny, refuse, or make a sentence negative.
नकारवाचक क्रिया-विशेषण वे शब्द होते हैं जो वाक्य में नकार, इंकार, या अस्वीकृति प्रकट करते हैं।

Examples:

1. I do not like coffee.
   मुझे कॉफी नहीं पसंद है।

2. He has never lied.
   उसने कभी नहीं झूठ बोला।

3. She hardly speaks to anyone.
   वह किसी से मुश्किल से बात करती है।

4. I neither know him nor trust him.
   मैं उसे न जानता हूँ न ही उस पर भरोसा करता हूँ।

👉 It answers “No” or shows denial.

B. What is a Relative Adverb?

A Relative Adverb is a word that joins a dependent (relative) clause to a main clause and at the same time modifies a verb in the relative clause by showing time, place, or reason.

👉 It refers back to a noun or idea mentioned earlier in the sentence.
👉 It performs two functions at once:

1. Connector (joins clauses)

2. Adverb (tells when, where, or why)

2. Relative Adverb “WHY” (Reason)

Use: “Why” is used after the noun reason to explain a cause.

Structure: 

The reason + why + clause

Examples

1. I know the reason why he left the job.
   मुझे वह कारण पता है जिससे उसने नौकरी छोड़ी।

2. This is the reason why she is upset.
   यह वह कारण है जिससे वह परेशान है।

3. He explained the reason why the meeting was canceled.
   उसने वह कारण बताया जिससे बैठक रद्द हुई।

3. Interrogative Adverb — with clear examples

Example 

When will you come?

✔️ Asking about time
✔️ Not replacing a noun
👉 Interrogative Adverb

Example 2

Where do you live?

✔️ Asking about place
👉 Interrogative Adverb

Example 3

Why are you angry?

✔️ Asking about reason
👉 Interrogative Adverb

Example 4

How did you solve the problem?

✔️ Asking about manner
👉 Interrogative Adverb