Grammar Lesson: The Adverb Phrase

A prepositional phrase that answers any of these questions—When? Where? How? Why? Under what conditions? or To what degree?—is an adverb phrase. If you can logically move the prepositional phrase within the sentence, it is probably an adverb phrase. Remember that an adverb phrase contains no verb.

The adverb phrases in these sentences are underlined.

We walked after dinner. (When?)

The little boys and girls ran into the hallway. (Where?)

Audrey, one of the chaperones, certainly handled herself with class yesterday. (How?)

John built the wooden shed with much assistance. (Under what conditions?)

The underdog candidate won the state election by a landslide. (To what degree?)

Activity

In each of these sentences, insert an adverb phrase that answers the question in the parentheses found after the sentence. Do not include any verbs within these adverb phrases!

1. The hilarious cartoon aired _____. (When?)
2. Wendy followed the older child _____. (Where?)
3. None of these young children could lift the heavy packages _____. (How?)
4. The championship boxing match was canceled _____.(Why?)
5. _____ we like to jog with our friends. (When?)

Answers

(These are possible answers.)

1. on Tuesday morning
2. into the living room
3. by themselves
4. after much discussion
5. In the morning