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A Concise Guide to English Grammar

Phillip Haisley

Section 12.9 Homework: Adverbials

Subsection 12.9.1 Part 1: Identification and Classification

Instructions.

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For each sentence, identify all adverbials, their form, and their semantic role. Use the reference tables below.
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Adverbial Forms
AdvP (Adverb Phrase)
PP (Prepositional Phrase)
NP (Noun Phrase)
Infinitive Phrase
Present Participial Phrase
Past Participial Phrase
Dependent Clause
Semantic Role Question Answered
Time When? How long? How often?
Place Where? In what direction?
Manner How? In what way?
Reason Why? For what reason?
Purpose What for? In order to?
Condition Under what circumstances?
Concession Despite what?

Example (completed).

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Yesterday, she worked carefully at the office because she had a deadline.
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Adverbial Form Semantic Role
Yesterday NP time
carefully AdvP manner
at the office PP place
because she had a deadline Dependent Clause reason

Exercises.

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Exercise 1. Last week, the students studied diligently in the library.
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Exercise 2. If you need assistance, call the help desk immediately.
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Exercise 3. She left early to catch her flight.
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Subsection 12.9.2 Part 2: Adverbial Scope and Form

Instructions.

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For each underlined adverbial, state (a) what it modifies and (b) its form. Use the reference tables below.
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What Adverbials Can Modify
a verb
an adjective
another adverb
the whole sentence
Adverbial Forms Example
AdvP (Adverb Phrase) quickly, very carefully
PP (Prepositional Phrase) in the library, with care
NP (Noun Phrase) last week, every morning
Infinitive Phrase to catch the train
Present Participial Phrase knowing the answer
Past Participial Phrase exhausted from the race
Dependent Clause because it rained

Example (completed).

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Fortunately, the rain stopped before the game.
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Fortunately — modifies: the whole sentence; form: AdvP
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Exercises.

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Exercise 4. She studied with great focus before the exam.
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Exercise 5. Smiling broadly, she accepted the award.
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Exercise 6. The results were surprisingly clear.
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Exercise 7. He practiced every morning before the competition.
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Exercise 8. She left early to catch the train.
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Subsection 12.9.3 Part 3: Sentence Completion

Instructions.

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Add an adverbial of the requested form to complete each sentence.
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Example (completed).

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Add a dependent clause: __________, you should bring an umbrella.
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Answer: If it looks like rain, you should bring an umbrella.
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Exercises.

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Exercise 9. Add a prepositional phrase: __________, the committee will announce its decision.
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Exercise 10. Add a dependent clause: She stayed home __________.
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Exercise 11. Add an infinitive phrase: He went to the store __________.
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Exercise 12. Add a past participial phrase: __________, the runners collapsed at the finish line.
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Exercise 13. Add a present participial phrase: __________, she answered all the questions correctly.
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Subsection 12.9.4 Part 4: Diagramming Adverbials

Instructions.

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For each sentence, complete the labeling table (Role, Phrase, Word, POS), write the bracket notation, and draw a tree diagram. Pay special attention to adverbial elements and their phrase types (ADVP, PP, or clausal).
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Exercises.

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Exercise 14. The team practiced every afternoon.
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Blank labeling table for "The team practiced every afternoon"
Exercise 15. She paused to check her notes.
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Blank labeling table for "She paused to check her notes"
Exercise 16. Running quickly, he caught the bus.
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Blank labeling table for "Running quickly, he caught the bus"
Exercise 17. Unfortunately, the game was cancelled.
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Blank labeling table for "Unfortunately the game was cancelled"
Exercise 18. She left early because the roads were icy.
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Blank labeling table for "She left early because the roads were icy"
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Subsection 12.9.5 Part 5: Analysis and Application

Instructions.

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Read the passage below and answer the question.
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Passage.

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Yesterday, the researchers finally completed their groundbreaking study. Surprisingly, the results contradicted earlier findings. They had worked diligently for three years because funding was severely limited. Nevertheless, they published their findings in a prestigious journal last month. If additional funding becomes available, they will continue their research next year in a new laboratory.
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Exercise.

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Exercise 19. Identify five adverbials in the passage. For each, state its form and semantic role.
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