Chapter LXV: Classification of Adverbs. Simple Adverbs

=267.= In Lesson X it was shown that an adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Select the adverbs in the following sentences, and tell what words they modify:—

We proceeded through a tract of country excessively wild and
desolate.

People with lanterns rushed hither and thither.

John knew that he could spend a day very pleasantly in going
over to that pasture.

All the adverbs in these sentences are called =simple adverbs= because they have but one office in the sentence,—they merely modify the word they go with.

=268.= In the sentence, “Perhaps my pony can carry the load,” the word _perhaps_ tells nothing whatever about the action of carrying, but rather serves to make the whole statement doubtful. Such a word is said to modify the whole sentence. Some other adverbs used in this way are _certainly_, _indeed_, _fortunately_, and _not_.

The common use of the adverb _not_ is to change an affirmative statement to a negative statement, as in the sentence, “I will not wear my heart upon my sleeve.”

=269.= The simple adverbs, _when_, _where_, _why_, _how_, _whence_, _whither_, are used in asking questions; as, “_When_ shall we be stronger?” “_Why_ do you answer me so?” Such adverbs modify the whole predicate. They are called =interrogative adverbs=.

NOTE.—_The_ is sometimes used as an adverb before comparatives;
as, “_The_ more you have, _the_ more you want.”

=270.= When the meaning permits, adverbs may be compared in the same manner as adjectives; as, _fast_, _faster_, _fastest_; _pleasantly_, _more pleasantly_, _most pleasantly_; _fortunately_, _less fortunately_, _least fortunately_.

=Summary.=—A =simple adverb= is one that merely modifies the word or the group of words that it goes with.

Some simple adverbs, like _not_, _perhaps_, _certainly_, modify the whole sentence.

An =interrogative adverb= is a simple adverb that is used in asking a question.

Some adverbs may be compared.

=Exercise.=—Select all the simple adverbs in the following sentences, and tell what each modifies. In so far as you can, tell what each adverb denotes. (See Lesson X.)

1. How the huge breakers foam and fret!

2. People living by the sea are always more or less
superstitious.

3. No one can work well without sleep.

4. Whence came that blessed mother love, so strong, so
dauntless, so pure, and whither has it fled?

5. Where had the stone been before? Why did it come there? When
would it go away?

6. Heaven is not reached at a single bound.

7. Luckily, poor Pepper was not seriously hurt.

8. Meanwhile Mrs. Peterkin was getting quite impatient for her
coffee.

9. How do you like to go up in a swing, up in the air so blue?

10. Why should one hurry when days are long and calm and sweet?

11. You may lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him
drink.

12. Presently a huge black bear poked his nose out of the
bushes, and sniffed inquiringly.

13. How quickly we learn to claim as our own that in which we
delight!