the adverbs, in Spanish, are an important part of speech what determines various nuances of the actions that the verbs perform, furthermore modify the meaning of adjectives and of others adverbs. In this text we will discover the definition of adverbs, the groups into which they are divided, and we will know the adverbial phrases, expressions that fulfill the same function as adverbs.
Read too: The conjunctions - words responsible for bringing articulation to the texts
Definition of adverbs
You adverbs, in Spanish, are words that provide information about when, how, where and with what intensity a certain action was carried out and also about the value of the prayer: whether it is affirmative, negative or expressing doubts. These are words whose function is to complement or modify the meaning of a verb, of a adjective, from another adverb or even from a complete sentence. For example, in prayer:
→ Habla quickly, because it's late.
(Speak quickly, because it's late.)
the adverb quickly it is modifying the verb
habla. The adverb is giving information about how the subject spoke. Now, in prayer:→ You're quite ready, this kitten.
(This kitten is quite smart.)
the adverb quitemodified the adjectivelist, indicating the “amount”, so to speak, of the kitten's cunning. Then in prayer:
→ The dress has fallen quite well.
(The dress fit her very well.)
the adverb quite modified the other adverbbien. Finally, in prayer:
→ Unfortunately, a terrible tragedy happened.
(Unfortunately, a terrible tragedy happened.)
the adverb unfortunatelymodified the whole prayer that came after him.
Unlike the nouns and adjectives, the adverbs are invariable words. This means they don't change according to gender (male/female) or number (singular/plural). They will be the same in all contexts in which they are used.
Many adverbs are formed by simply adding the suffix -mind to a female adjective. These adverbs always indicate the way in which the action of the verb was performed. Example:
→ Sandra is fast. / Sandra got on quickly.
(Sandra is fast. / Sandra arrived quickly.)
Realize that, if the adjective is accented, the accent remains in the adverb formed on the basis of it. This rule differs from Portuguese because, in our language, the adverb loses its accent in this case. The adverb formed in this process becomes a word surdrújula, because its stressed syllable becomes a syllable before the last one.
Read too: The accent – rules and peculiarities of accent in Spanish
Types of Adverbs
Adverbs are divided into groups according to circumstance that express. Such circumstances are identified by a question, to which the adverb responds. Thus, we have the types of adverbs and their respective questions:
Type |
adverbs |
Example |
|
Time (What?) |
now, afternoon, today, ya, after, never, ever, yet, mientras etc. |
the stars always brillan. (The stars always shine.) |
|
Mode (Like?) |
All ending in -mind, despacio, bien, worse, better, así, just etc. |
brillan stars constantly. (The stars are constantly shining.) |
|
Place (Where?) |
here, here, there, fence, lejos, cliff, abajo, alrededor etc. |
brillan stars lejos. (The stars shine far away.) |
|
The amount (How much?) |
muy mucho poco casi too bad less so much tan etc. |
¡las estrellas brillan so much! (The stars are so bright!) |
|
Denial (Are you sure?) |
no, never, ever, tampoco etc. |
the star at the shines more. (The star no longer shines.) |
|
Doubt (Are you sure?) |
chance, maybe, maybe, a lo mejor etc. |
the star perhaps in brille. (The star may not shine.) |
|
Affirmation (Are you sure?) |
yes, of course, since luego etc. |
the star yes shines. (The star does shine.) |
adverbial phrases
In addition to the adverbs, in Spanish there are some expressions that work as adverbs - they are called adverbial phrases (adverbial phrases). Their function is exactly the same, the difference is that they are formed by two or more words.
Some adverbial phrases are upside down ("instead"), en one tris ("closely", "at a step"), at least ("at least"), in secret (“hidden”) etc.
Examples:
→ The letters are in upside down.
(The letters are backwards.)
→ The students stayed en one tris to be reproached.
(Students were one step away from failing.)
→ I'm glad that, at least, you are good.
(I'm glad at least you're okay.)
→ Mi hermano pasó all the night jugando in secret.
(My brother spent all night playing hide and seek.)
Exercise solved
Question 01 -Consider the following prayers in Spanish:
I. this chico habla too.
II. always let's swim los martes.
III. ¿chance Are you vacating?
IV. repeat bad space, please.
The option that correctly indicates the types of highlighted adverbs is:
The) affirmation, place, time, duda
B) cantidad, time, duda, mode
ç) negation, way, duda, time
d) place, quantity, affirmation, negation
Resolution
Alternative b.
By Diego Guimarães Gontijo
Spanish teacher
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/espanhol/los-adverbios.htm
