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Asignatura obligatoria (2º cuatrimestre) Grado en Estudios Ingleses BELÉN SORIA CLIVILLÉS
3.1. Adverbials: introduction
Adverbial / Adverb Phrase / Adverb
Adverbial : a functional constituent at clause level (like S, O, Cs); can be formally realized by PP, AdvP, Fin.Cl., etc. e.g. Quite frankly , we really moved here because I could not stand the bad weather In spite of great efforts by their authors, these books very frequently contain errors that are in due course passed on Adverb Phrase : a formal class of phrase (like NP, VP, PP: a type of phrase headed by an adverb. e.g. quite frankly, very frequently Adverb : a formal class of word (like N, Adj or V). e.g. quite, frankly, really, here, very, frequently
Adverbial as an ill-defined concept:
The term covers elements with very different logico-semantic functions within the clause: Elements expressing circumstancial information about the main predication: e.g. Last year you used to walk to the shore , now you ride I wouldn’t like to go for a week in silence Elements expressing speaker’s evaluation or comments on the clause: e.g. From my perspective , it was a clear case of abuse Fortunately , this is far from the truth Elements linking the clause (or part of it) to other clauses (or parts of it): e.g. The students are on strike; nevertheless , the examinations will not be cancelled Lord Shaftesbury was a persuasive speaker and furthermore a great pioneer of social reform
The term covers elements with very different syntactic properties: Elements fairly well integrated in clause structure, functioning at same level as other clause constituents (S, P, O): e.g. Last year you used to walk to the shore , now you ride I wouldn’t like to go for a week in silence Elements rather detached from the rest of the clause: e.g. From my perspective , it was a clear case of abuse The students are on strike; nevertheless , the examinations will not be cancelled Elements syntactically subordinated to some other clause constituent: e.g. I was only joking She was literally on the floor
‘ Fuzzy’ boundaries with other constituents: Adverbial vs. Adverbial Complement The distinction very frequently depends on subjective judgments of obligatoriness: e.g. They have planned the meeting for Thursday I like you in that dress He treated her kindly Adverbials vs. Objects and other Complements: e.g. She doesn’t talk to me Let’s talk about it
Asignatura obligatoria (2º cuatrimestre) Grado en Estudios Ingleses BELÉN SORIA CLIVILLÉS
Adverbial vs. In-Phrase Modifier: Non problematic: Problematic: e.g. She is really an intelligent child e.g. She is really intelligent She really is intelligent. I could hear the man in the next house She is a really intelligent child The pace of life today is proving too fast Only one of my friends has a car Adverbial vs. ‘Phrasal Modifier’ e.g. John could only see his wife from the doorway John could see only his wife from the doorway John could see his wife only from the doorway
Conclusion: Negative Definition: “ADVERBIAL: Any element in the clause that cannot be analysed as a Subject, a Predicate or a Complement”
Peculiar features: ‘Peripheral’ character: varying degree of integration in clause structure; optional character: gradient Recursive character: e.g. [ Actually ] , [ if it doesn’t rain ] , I will [ probably ] drive [ to Marks & Spencer ] [ tomorrow morning ] [ to buy some chocolates ] , [ unless you want me to stay here with you ] Realization variety: e.g. She fainted (very) recently [ AdvP ] She fainted last week [ NP ] She fainted in the bathroom [ PP ] She fainted though apparently healthy [ Verbless Cl ] She fainted while having a shower [ N-f cl ] She fainted after she had received the news [ F. Cl ] (Relative) Positional mobility: e.g. Legally, the man couldn't have been sent to prison. The man legally couldn't have been sent to prison The man couldn't legally have been sent to prison The man couldn't have legally been sent to prison The man couldn't have been legally sent to prison The man couldn't have been sent legally to prison The man couldn't have been sent to prison legally Type and range of semantic roles. e.g. [ However ] , [ if it doesn’t rain ] , I will [ probably ] drive [ to Marks & Spencer ] [ tomorrow morning ] [ to buy some chocolates ] , [ although I might also stay home ].
3.1. Adjuncts
The most fully integrated kind of Adverbial Comparable to other clause constituents (S, O) but typically more optional Semantically, identifies circumstances surrounding action. Distinguishing syntactic properties shared with other clause constituents:
e.g. Mr. Bush sent his troops [ to Iraq ] [ a few months ago ]
i) They can be the subject-matter of a question: Where did Mr Bush send his troops? When did Mr B. send...? (cf. Who sent his troops to Iraq? What did Mr B. send to Iraq? )
ii) Consequently: several adjuncts can be contrasted by means of alternative interrogation: Did he send his troops to Iraq or to Saudi Arabia?
Asignatura obligatoria (2º cuatrimestre) Grado en Estudios Ingleses BELÉN SORIA CLIVILLÉS
Semantic classification: i) Space: Realized by: PP, clause ( where she told me ), Adv. ( upstairs, here, there ); NP ( a long way ). Position: final but can be moved to initial. Subclasses: position e.g. in the fridge direction e.g. to the seaside (goal) from the hills (source) distance: a long way (general) 5km (specific) ii) Time: Realized by: NP, AdvP., clause. Subclasses: position e.g. on 4th Jul e.g. duration: (for) three days frequency: seldom relationship: by that time Position: final. Relative order: Duration / Frequency / Position: e.g. He played tennis [ for two hours ] [ every Tuesday ] We’ll talk about it [ during lunch ] [ tomorrow morning ] I was there [ for a short while ] [ every day ] [ in January ]
iii) Process: Realized by: PP, NP, Adv.P, Clause. Subclasses: manner e.g. She glanced furtively means He used to travel by bus instrument He wrote the letter with a fountain pen Position: final (if fronted they tend to be associated with the subject becoming (Subject) Subjuncts e.g. He offered me a ride kindl (i.e. in a kind way: Manner A) → Kindly, he offered me a ride (i.e. he was kind enough to offer me a ride: Subjunct) iv) Respect: PP: with respect to, with reference to v) Contingency: Realized by: Clauses, PP. Subclasses: cause e.g. He left the battlefield out of cowardice reason He deserted because he was a pacifist purpose He attended the lecture to learn about wombats result The royal heir married a commoner, so he was discredited
Position: Relative position of all Adjuncts:
General principle: Shorter Adjuncts tend to precede longer ones: adverbs precede NPs, which precede PP, which precede non-finite clauses, which precede finite clauses.
Specific principle for Adjuncts in final position: Process - Space - Time - Contingency. (The relative order can be changed to emphasize a particular A).
3.3. Subjuncts
Adverbial with dependent role. They have none of the syntactic properties listed for adjuncts. They can depend on: the whole sentence (wide orientation subjuncts, WOS), or a specific clause element (narrow orientation, NOS).
Asignatura obligatoria (2º cuatrimestre) Grado en Estudios Ingleses BELÉN SORIA CLIVILLÉS
WOS: Viewpoint: They refer to the perspective or viewpoint from which what is said in the sentence must be considered: psychologically (speaking) ~ from a psychological point of view, morally, technically, scientifically Formulaic/Courtesy: realized by a few formulaic expressions of politeness: kindly, cordially, please. Especially frequent in questions indicating requests and also in imperative sentences: e.g. Will you kindly extinguish your cigarettes? Close the door, please NOS: ITEM: Subject: They characterize the referent of the subject with respect to the process or state denoted by the verb. Realized by adverbs o prepositional phrases. Initial or medial position (between subject and predicator). General: proudly, bitterly, sadly, resentfully, frankly Volitional: Express the subject's intention or willingness to do something: intentionally, reluctantly, willfully, willingly, on purpose VP: Related to the process or state denoted by the verb e.g. I don't really believe it I would rather go now You'd better see a doctor Predication: Connected with the idea of frequency ( often, always, seldom ), time-relationship ( already, still, yet ), time position ( just ). Position in sentence: already , still, just occur in medial position e.g. I already/still like Cubism I'm just finishing an article on the subject yet occurs in medial or end e.g. I have yet to find what she wants I haven't met her yet EMPHASIZERS: They imply a general intensification or emphasis: reinforcing effect on the clause or part of the clause to which they apply. They normally precede the item they emphasize. The most typical is really ( I don't really know what to do with my life ) other emphasizers: actually, certainly, clearly, definitely, indeed, surely, for certain, for sure, frankly, honestly, literally, simply, just [Most of these words can also be disjuncts reflecting the speaker's opinion: in that case they are usually placed in initial position and separated by a comma from the rest of the sentence; if they are emphasizers they normally precede the item they emphasize.]
INTENSIFIERS: They express degree (gradable actions): points in a scale Amplifiers: Positive intensification: Maximizers: Upper extreme of the scale: completely, absolutely, entirely, extremely, fully, quite, totally Boosters: High point in the scale: very, much, deeply, greatly, terribly, a good deal, a lot. Downtoners: Negative intensification: lowering effect: Approximators: Approximation to the expected degree; negation of truth value of verb. Almost, approximately, roughly, practically, nearly Compromisers: Slightly lowering effect; question appropriateness of verb; colloquial registers: sort of, kind of, more or less, rather Diminishers: Lowering effect: to some extent, partly, slightly, somewhat Minimizers: Lowest or very low point in the scale: scarcely, hardly, rarely, barely, in the least, at all
