lle acts br.

' thc book

(1tt'clttt.silittrrttl
rrrcrclillel ol- nriirtncr'
rthf

- " t'igttt'o.s, tlttltti ctrt.l{"'). Ilc rVill ccltttc [tr trr.tt o'clor:l'. (natrrrallt

act IrLtt irt llrct alrcadr 1r'nnslirrnrecl irr1. irr

;rtlr

X. THE, ADVERBIAL MODIFTERS

r.rlri111

"\L'he.c is the t'able'.)" "r rrt)rcd it agairrst lrre (ltatttt'allr adverbial rnocjillcr ttf' place)
btrt:

an tttlt'arhittl ntrxltfiar ttf titrtt,1.

*ail"

"Doll't

si1

atlsrrct'illQ thc qtlcslitttt

thc rrall". l'he distinctitltt is casicr irr thc firllorr ing thrcc c),anrples irrcltrrlipe thc s.rre
ohrase:

tltt tlte clrair a-qairrsl thc rinll!" nrost probablv an rrlrihrttt, "\\'ltich chair''.)" - "-fhe one \\hiclr is (placccl) agairrst

planes of discussion (e.g. the sLrbject in the s)'lltax of considering that u nor',n b..o,.r.r., the sLrbject or part of a subject clattse as part of a the simple sentence, and is apt to be extended into plarres of disctrssiorl irl contplex sentence) we tnay discern the follorviltg three function - i.e. that of shorvirrg the circuttlstattccs iti connectio,r rvith the adverbial

0.1.

If rve regard grallmar as involving tlrree

which an actiorr takes Place:

I. ln II. ln

morphology, tl'te r.vords discharging this "cil'ct-tt.nstantial l'unctir;;r" itre

the syntax of the simple .\enlence, the function

usuaf ly' adverb.s.

-fhc

I pref'er to datlcc ztt thc club (rrrlr'r,rhittl morlif iar of ltltrc'e). darrce at tlre cltrb *as srcccssf,l. (trttrihtrtc) We shall clance ttt u t.ltrh. not ol u ra.\,1(tLtruilt.

(rttost pt'obabll ltrcyto,s'itiotttrl ohlac'lr set rn corrtrast o; oppositiorr).

of the advr;rbs or cf the preceded by prepositions) is call;'d "advcrhioi adverbiaf plirases (usLrallli noutrs ntodifiel'(of tirne. Place. etc.) III. In the ,s1,ntcr of the compler sentence (involving subordination) the salllc fLurction is discharged by groLlps of words including a preciicatiVe
',circurnstantial"
verb, tliat isbv adverhial cluuses-

0.2. As orrr discussiol at the moment regards the sytttax of the sirnplc plane of this scale, sentence. \\c are collcerned for the tipe being in the second aclt,erbial rnodifiers including either ari adverb ptrre and sirnple namel5,'ip t6at of
or an adverbial Phrase' 1.0. An aclt,erbial modifier i.s cr seconclary part of the senlence v'hich mcd(ir:'; or renclers nlore precise o verb (either prediccttit'e or nol). an ctdjective or ctrtolher adverb. l.l. Its usual function is connected with the rnain verb irr the sentence, that is with the predicate, the other cases beirrg less freqr'retlt. Neverlheless. a cetlaitl qtrarrtity. category of adverbial modifiers - viz. oclverbial ntodifiei's of degree (or or of adverbs o1n1"uirr., ilitensity. etc.) are frequently used in front of adjectives adverbs as manner. in orderio intensifo their effect (cf.2.3.1.2. Note also that sttclr they irrtensify). enough are placed after the adjective or adverbs

1.2. In terms of structure, an adverbial modifier is"either an adverb or

adverbial plrrase (loculiune circuntstanliol a)' 1.3. Sorne grammarians make a distinction bet'lveen:

an

A. modtfiers of on odverbial nature - that is elements which determine a morc or less essential .hung. in the meaning of the predicate or of anotlier verb in the
sentence (e.g., the adverbial rnodifiers of manner, of attending circumstances)'

in a precise/definite, e.g., the adjectivized adverbial phrase (expressing a quality etc' (used fcr fertain degree) oitl',e advlrbial modifiers of degree" intensity, forming th- cornparative and surperlative - both relative and absolute - of adjectives as wel I as of adverbs of man ner - cf . 2.1 '1 '2')'
l-s4 155

B. cleterntinative aclt,erbials - whose function is to render the verb

more

frequency are 2.1.2.3. Adverbial modifiers of both indefinite time and with the present perfect. one of the latter's filnctions being to normally connected

inji.u,.

an action wrrose moment

oi

perforrrance is either unspecified/vaguely

specifi ed or unimportant/irlelevant'

2'l'
2

Adverbial Modifiers

of Time,

subdivided

connected both w,ith the use of tenses and with the rule of word order:

as follows, for

reasons

@headverbrecenllyisofterremp|oyedwiththe-pasttense, the tult:,-t:l-tl:^11:,,::.,t^":t:rt-;,:

as part

week, word ago),

I,omorrow, lctst inning with the ing in the word

,"r[q"i"r-Engrish,"arst invorvirrg

ir.r"n,

a perceptibre diminution in the utilization of the some speakers as a bit perfec-t (and possibly atso because it is perceived by

of the slighilv laxer application of -

more definite than the simirar adverbs

rike the Romanian adverb dettndzi). 1-he

,u*"uppties,thoughtoasma|lerextent,totheadverb|ately.
those of frequency, 2.1.2.4. Adverbial modifiers of indefinite tirne as well as places in the sentence, according to whether they are shorl may take two or, more rarely by a short preposition and a f.*pr"rr"O in *orf.uses by one adverb adverbial phrase). (a longer ifroi norn or adjective) or long

(A) Shorl adverbial mod]fiers o1 ind.finite time or frequency are usually

placed with the predicate - that is (a) if the predicate is made up

of definite time normally have the last place in the sentence (place VIII in case all other parts of the sentence are present) orthe optional place 0 - with a slight degree of emphasis which is usually acquired
Time and Frequency which in fact may be subdivided for mere semantic reasons (without any implications in the use of tenses or the order of words) into:

2'l'l'2'

Adverbial modifiers

of one verb alone, the adverbial precedes the includ", un anomalous finite (an auxiliary or rnodal latter; (b) if the predicate nominal/main verbl (c) if verb), the auxiliary is placed between the latter and the or modals, the adverbial is placed it,"- p..ai.ut. inciudei several auxiliaries
immediatelY after the first of them' (a) He often comes here of evenings' but (b) He has often read his Poems to us' or

2'l'2' Adverbial Modifiers of Indefnite

in this way.

(c) I should/could/might/would orttn have gone to see lrim'

if I

had

(B) Long adverbial modifiers-of indefinite time or frequency, normally take "the parts of the sentence (like those of definite time when all other pla.. VII in may also take place 0 (with a slight degree of sentence are present) but they
emphasis or for tlre sake of contrast)' - r As a

not as a rule been working seven days a week' (d) she has /ess often gone to the.hairdresser's in recent months, etc'

Of bte, he has seemed to me rather aggrieved' rule,l never have coffee late at night (cf. last two examples Exceptionally, they are also found inside the predicate under A). 2.2. Adverbiat modifiers of place and direction de loc' They are similar io the Romanian complemenle circumstanyiale assuming a varietY of forms' if the other parts of the 2.2.L. TheY usuallY take place VII in the sentence' ihey are used in front position (place 0 - rather sentence are Present' When t57

r56

infr"equelrt for thenr) they acqulre not so muclr pronrinence or emprrasis as a serse of contrasl - sornetimes unwelconte or unseasonable. Tlrere is a good tlreatre in Sibiu (normal) In Sibiu, there is a good theatre (contrast with other citie sounding rude in case one rp.Ik, to an inirabitant of Timigoara, etc.) ' Tlrerefore, the undue promtnence of the adverbial modifier of place shoLrld be avoided when it is not our intention to enrprrasize contrasr.

She writes much faster then l/me/tlran I do/than Slre talks awfully loud. LIe wasfrightfttlly rrice to Iiis rlotlier.

wnte.

I was dreudfully disappointed in him.

Note 1: As easily seen, the lole of some of these adverbs of degree is mainly porphological, that is they contribute to forming a relative or an absolute
superlative for the respective adjectives or adverbs u,hiclr they accotnpany. (A case in point is also the adverb moinly in this very serttence.)

correspond ro rhe Romanian cornplemente circuntstanliale ie mod, Urt li;,!i;':!,:::,,,:,:?:!,i,: L'r( :ousfrrl v"',r'q"L'utc cenarn semantic considerations 'tuu. uur ."-n"i. ;;;J; and rigours of the rutes of word order, may cause grammarians t^ ::tj:illllnlTi:r.lut srammarianc to
A erlrro"hiol modifie ^r: A. adverbial --^J:c^..- rs of ntanner

"j'::::':,

adverbials

B. adverbial modifie rs of attendin'g/aitendant circumstqnces, C. adverbial modifie rs of contporion D. adverbial rnodifiers of contparison and c o ncessi
on I

proper

;;#;.;";,:;iliff

comparative_concessi ve

complemente circuntstantiale cie mocl ;

If we adopt trris view, we discriminate between the foilowing

E. adverbial modifie rs of concession proper

Note 2: Atterrtion should be called to the distinction which is made by Errglishspeakirrg people in pronunciation and intonation betu,een tliese adverbs of degree (prorrounced with their short form and not entitled to sentence-stress, because of their auxiliary or ancillary role) and sdverbs of ntanner proper, with the same written forrn (employed only in their strong forrn and errtitled to sentence-stress because tliey discharge a fully significant senrantic and grammatical role in relation to the predicate or another verb in the sentence): (A) I'n awfully ['o:fli] tired (adverb of degree intensifying tlre value of the adjective which serves as a predicative and therefore gives
meaning to the nominal predicate).

types

of

2.3.1. ctdverbi.al modi"fiers of ntanner proper, more exactly corresponding to the Romanian notion of mocl.ln fact, ho*"uei, not only because of their function but also because of their place in the sentence, they ought to be subdivided further:

(B) He has behaved 'av,fuily ['o fuliJ to us all (a normal adverbial rrodifier of manner expiessed through an adverb of manner
therefore a semantically significant word, moreover double stlessed occasionally, under tlie impact of strong emotion).
Further examples: (A1 She was

1,tr ,l. ::::i:""'il., ,,Xi:I,,.t1:.:tl"-,'

annflrcr frrne oro ;^.,^1.,^l .- ^ -r

or adverbiar phrases) denoting fl:l"lirj"'",T,"^To:-,, perrormed B;.;;;,t;' is

r | ,.r
I

ji9."t,
u:

lT]:l::

.o,.,r, ui ;; il ::ffij;. :,:.' i:' :;1:: :" : i:lii, I subject*.;;;d ; ;: # ; # T: :?s :J ::, ;;; ;5';il; '#;"::T: ,:11i,'',':i:';,""? ?i: :i1ii'-':::':*rtv lre action, slli ect perronns *r,i r."^a"il';in'"o"ioilr'l?

;;'';;#:?'i: i",i'".#;jl#:::T j;
L\, \"uiluluons ol

the

j' :il:Ip

/rvrr rrrS

:::Tjll1"j:.,::::"^:i.,:1::l:11./beyond probably independent of his will).

the performer of the action (and mosr

ll::._11:ll:'

modifiers.:b".v the same rutes for the order of words _ i

r uillg - c[. cf. tong ones take ptace Vr in the senrence or the oprionat ptace 0 ?;r;r^:!;l^*),1,;,1: (cf. again 2.1.2.4.).
2"3-1.2. (b) adverbiar modifiers of degnze (usuaily one word) - in fact adverbs which show another adverb or adverbiar modifier (usuaily of

with[]vowel

frightfully kind to nte (as one can easily notice, a mere intensifier, devoid of semantic value - in fact meaning the opposite of its face value, like Romanian adverbs such groaznic de, ingrozitor de, teribil de) - its prorrunciation is reduced to its weak folm. (B) I think she sang (downright) frightfully last night. (Therefore an adverb of manner - perhaps in its turn intensified by various means semantically meaningful and therefore given sentence stress, naturally entailing the strong forrn f'fraitfuli] - never with the reduced form
no.12.)

2.3.1.2.1. Adverbial modifiers of degree may also denote approxintalion, size,

the degree, extent, n.'.uru.", intensity, etc. of

an

He is very clever.

ma''er;,

adjective, or of

He speaks verybeautiful Enelish. She speaks Engl ish very bea:utiful ly. It was awfully disappointrng, His behavrour was ntost suiprisrng.

depth, length, etc. (that is whatever refers to nreasurenrents or quantities sometimes difficult to distinguish frorn intensity or extent). Besides the above-mentioned adverbs, we should also list the adverbs quite (nowadays no longer irrvolving satistaction - perhaps even on the contrary - and therefore in no case being used for the superlative), nearly (referring especially to figures or to something that is considered satisfactory, eveli though incornplete), alntosl {usually referring to whole units or elemerits, or showing dissatisfaction at incompleteness) as well as solle adverbial phrases: to o certain extent, in a certuitt

t58
159

measure/degree (the phrase "lo ct degree" means "extremely, v,onclcr.fully" cof loquial speech), quite a lot, a great/good deal, prete well, well high, eI_c.

in

any difficulty or peculiarity of usage, of grammatical treatrnent, etc.

seem to have a specific correspondent in Romanian grammar (being treated just as one case or type of "complenrente circumstan{iale de mod") since they do

2.4. Adverbial modifiers of attending/attendant circumstances which do not

not ofhr

most adverbials of comparisons) and therefore distinct from function: cases, through their comparative He was as tremulous 4s a quivering leaf' He behaves like afather to her (to be distinguished from "as a father"

similes 2.5. Adverbial modifiers of comparison - often employed as

(:

literary

manner proper

in

In our opinion,

: ,'in his capacitylposition of her father" modifier of manner ProPer)'

You are hoarser than YesterdaY'

therefore adverbial

the sentence. Indeed, while an adverbial modifier of manner refers to the way in which the subject performs the action (therefore being more subject-centred - cf. 2.3'l'), an adverbial modifier of attending circumstance refers to the condition beyond/outside the subject, in which the action is performed: He went out hurriedly/in a hurry/angrily/without his hatforgetting to take his untbrella/papers/bag, etc. (adverbial modifiers of manner proper, referring to the manner in which the subject - intentionally or unintentionally - perforrns the action).
but

(:imprejurdri insotitoare/auxiliare/secundare) are semantically discrete from adverbial modifiers of manner, besides the fact that they take dlfferent places in

adverbial modifiers

of

attendant/attending circumstances

il,u'n'"*a**noaonotdiscriminateadverbialmodifiersofcomparisonaSa view in the first example distinct category would find much support for their "t"'
2.6. Adverbial modifiers of comparison and concession

the verb to tremble + an adverb ubou., in which the adverbial could be replaced by of manner such as: terribly, f'lgltfully,

comparative I

out of the contraction of adverbial concessive adverbiar modifiers seem t-o arise (comparative-concessive clauses) through crauses of comparison and concession the ellipsis/omission of the verb: He spoke as though/in disgust (possibly arising out of :He spoke
though/as if he had been/he were disgusted")'

as

He went out in the (pouring) rain/in the dark/in the failing light, etc. (adverbial modifiers of attending circumstances as they iqfer to external conditions/circumstances, not connected - at least appirently - with the subject as an agent/doer/performer of the action).
relevance in English than in other languages, for reasons connected with the much more fixed/set order of words in the former.

2.4-1. This distinction is not particularly important, yet

it has much more

admirins him.

or

While adverbial modifiers of manner take the foremost place among the other adverbial modifiers, if some of the latter are present (moreover being placed with

emphasis,

circumstances takes the last place in the sentence (even after place VIII in a hypothetical sentence which would include adverbial modifiers of manner, place definite time). On the other hand, the adverbial modifier of attending/attendant circumstances can take place 0 in the sentence (in front of the subjectj, with a slight degree of

inside the predicate when short), the adverbial modifier

oi

attending

adverbial modifier of place, for instance). Thus, the adverbial modifier of manner and that of attending circumstances are not interchangeable in point of word order (mainly because that of manner is much more closely bound up with the predicate or another verb in the sentence). He rash lylfool i sh lylmad lylcra zily I inadvertently/reck ess ly crossed th e street in front of the approaching/on-coming car (the adverbial of attending circumstances can only take the last place in the sentence, while if greater emphasis is desired for the adverb of manner. tlre latter may take place 0 as well.)
I

but not necessarily contrast (therefore more frequenily than

Though he was tired, he could not sleep' adverbial As one can eisily notice, it is not unreasonable to consider that the clause of concession, especially function is discharg.i Uy an elliptical adverbial since the comma is felt as necessary by the English'

the

the 2.8. Adverbial modifiers of purpose, representing the reflection of of purpose (fina| ciauie) on the plane of the syntax of the simple adverbial clause 'such adverbial modifiers are introduced by in order to sentence. Usually,

a (interpreted by some grammarlans as a conjunction, therefore again introducing to the mere particle lo' since final clause, of a rp.ciul kind) as often as not reduced it is inevitably followed by an infinitive: I went there to see mY mother' (with the This adverbial modifier is therefore the equivalent of a final clause is not necessary when its subject is identical with analyical subjunctive) which that of the main clause.

160

l6l

should miss him/lest I should miss him. can all be reduced to I went to his house early (in order) to find hirn at home (because the purpose-part of the utterance refers to the action of the same subject).

I went to his house first thing in the morning so that I may ("migf11,, would show smaller probability) find him at home/for fear tliat

3.0. tn English, adverbial rnodifiers can be expressed by a wide range of

rneans, such as:

3.1. By' any adt,erb of various kinds: He usually comes here sundays. 3.2. By a noun (sometimes accompanied by other words), showing:
3.2.1 space: He travels miles (on end)' He lives ntile.v aw'aY.

On the other hand,

if

subj

unctive is possible: I rang him up personally, lest he should forget to call me (impossible to change into an infinitival phrase).

the two subjects differ, only one form wiin

tire

3.2.2. time:
He worked months (on end) at He waited years and vears.

2.9- Adverbial modifiers of condition (a reflection of conditional clauses not very frequent, except in a few more or less set plrrases: if necessary, with perseverence, with patience, etc. as well as in phrases beginning with,,given...,,

it'

3.2.3. place: (the preposition being frequently ornitted)

which always suggests contraction

construction:

of an adverbial clause 1o an absolute

They live PiccadillY Circus.

3.2.4. size:

can turn into: Given patience/perseveronce, etc., the matter can be solved.

If we have/show enough /perseverance etc., the matter can be solved.

He is only fit:e feet (three inches) tall.

3.2.5. price: It costs a pound (note that it answers the question "How much?").

part ofthe sentence:

2.10- Adverhial modifiers of couse/reason (again a contraction of a similar adverbial clause) expresses the motivation of an action, usually placed in the"first Because
done this. etc.

3.2.6. manner'.

They rose guns in hand(s).

3.2.7 . attending circumstances:

of the weather, considering the circumstances, for

having

They travelled far, the weather rather charming. (a nominative absolute construction through the omission of the word being in an absolute participle construction - also called "nominative + indefinite
participle").
a

Giventhisuti|isationoftheprepositionfor,infrontofug..,n@
these circumstances, under the circumstances, in the above/present conditions,, and never that of purpose (expressed by',in order to inflniiive", ,'in orcler that +

it in orderto denote purpose. On the othirhand, it is compulsory to remember that the phrase in view of has only the causative meaning "Given
is betterto avoid

3.2. a prepositional phrase (Romanian loculiune circumstanfiala) that is

analyical subjunctive", "with a view /o * noun or gerundial phrase", e.g., in: ,,With a view to organizing our coming holidays/to arranging a tour of mountain resofts next winter/." etc.

group of words including (among other things) a noun preceded by a preposition. He comes here in the afternoonlof eveningsl(poetically) of an evening. He did work, with a vengeance (: pe rupte, pe brinci, Si incd cum, c,f ' also ir duSntdnie)
pr

2.11. Adverbial mod i fi ers of result/conseq uence

" pr op oz i p i

opposite of the previous type of adverbial: It's too muchfor me to do it at once.

(reflecting the respective adverbial clauses, usually called in Romanian i c o ns e c u tive " ) shows the conseq uence/effect/resu lt, therefore being the

3.4. A group of words nnde up of a subordinating conjunction r c noun/a un/ adj e c t iv e / i nfi n i t iv e /p ar t i c ip I e' If indispensable, I shall do it immediately. (cf.2.9') LYhile writing, various novel ideas occured to him. Llthen v,ith thern, he never thinks of his sufferings. (through ellipsis from: "When/whenever he is with them")' As usual, he speaks in a low voice. (possibly a contraction from "As is
ono

usual with/for him")

a

Although formulated in a different way, it expresses the same idea as sentence like: I cannot do it at once because it is too much (for me).

"as usually" is incorrect; "usually" is an adverb of frequency to be used alone; *in conjunctions do not precede adverbs of manner. Therefore also in general, noI

nerally"

t62

163

3.5. A participle or participle phrase. Usually this refers: a) to the perfect participle

Havingfinished, he went home.

b) to participial phrases Having done this, this (being) done, when interviewed. etc. This done, we took our leave. 3.6. Absolute constructions - mainly the absolute (His) hands in his pockets, he went out. He came to me hat in hand.

XI. THE ATTRIBUTE

0.1. English attributes follow the lines of attributes in most languages in many affributes they differ mainly respects. On the other lrand, as against Romanian and frequency of attributes expressed by the mere ihrorgn the great abundance juxtaposition noun + noun, rn which the first element discharges an

nominative:

3.7. A prepositional gerundial phrase: On taking him home, he found the boy was hungry. She had troubles at the officefor having quarelled with 3.8. An infinitive or an infinitivalphrase: bought the book to read it (final - cf.2.g.) went home to eat (idem)

,i"tpf!

is written separately, attriUutiu. role towards the second noun whether it inations afe also frequent in German of solid-spelt. Su lyphenated
ferp..iurry solid-spelt) while
combinations (e.g., casd-vagon, mobild ti, in post-position' preserve the noun discharging a secondary, attributive role,

her

boss.

in ort, position; the increas in'

very numerous noun + noun !a-tip, bloc turn, gris farin' etc')

butive noun is hardly ever found

"the for-to infi nitive").

I bought itfor you to read (usually called "for phrase + infinitive,,or

and anyhow usage between the aftribute and the main noun) is not always relevant

juncture 0.2. The above-mentioned variation in spelling (the separation or

being Manner, Place, Time, they occur precisely in this (alphabetical) order.

4'0' As regards the normal word-order in declarative sentences, one more observation is necessary' The most frequent combination of adverbial rnpdifiers

reached a has not yet said its final word in this matter. Nor have dictionaries and rather inconsistent both in .onr.nru, in this respect, fluctuations being ample texts of various natures and in reference works of all kinds. + Nevertheless, as soon as we notrce a greater frequency of a solid-spelt noun should assimilate it, for this semms to be the main tendency combination, we
noun

in contemporary British usage (in spite of the divergences and in spite of

the

precision to/parlicularize the subject, the predicative, the direct' indirect or prepositional objecl as well as a noun which is part of a phrase used as an
adv erb
-

greater laxiry perceptible in American usage)' 1.0. In terms of general logic, including that of English grammar, the attribute modifies may be defined as tie secondary part of a sentence which delermines or qny other noun or noun equivalent, iruespective of thi subieit of the sentence or the syntactical role it discharges. Therefore, an attribute may modifo (the semantic value of) or determinellend

morphofogy) may have its attribute (though personal pronouns for instance offer some constraints - their attributes being limited to appositions - see below). l.l. As attributes differ widely in their nature - denoting qualities, age, material, colour, nationality, etc., as well as determinative details such as: time, place, appurtenance, etc. - the questions answered by attributes are also numerous and diverse: what?:, what kind of, whose?, which?, how much?, how many?, belonging to whom?, etc. 1.2. Because of the variety of means for expressing the attribute, in English and the discrimination is sometimes difficult or fairly relative between attributes obiect (cf. the discussion oth., parts of the sentence, especially the prepositional
164
165

ial ntod ifi er, etc To put it iifferently, any nontinal part of the sentence (any of the nomina in