Italian Grammar Bank
HOW TO USE ITALIAN ADVERBS
When it comes to grammar, adverbs play a fundamental role in defining how, when and to what extent actions occur.
In this lesson, we will delve into what adverbs are and the various types that can exist. From their function in providing more detailed information about the verb, to the way they can modify adjectives and other adverbs.
WHAT ARE ITALIAN ADVERBS?
Adverbs are an invariable part of speech that specifies the meaning of the word it stands next to (from the Latin ad + verbum, ‘next to a word’). Depending on their meaning, they come in different types: discover them all in this lesson.
Learn to distinguish adverbs of manner, quantity, time, place, judgement, interrogative and exclamation. They can be added to:
| a verb | Claudia cammina velocemente | Claudia walks quickly |
| an adjective | Claudia è particolarmente contenta | Claudia is particularly happy |
| another adverb | Claudia ascolta molto attentamente | Claudia listens very carefully |
| a noun or pronoun | Solo Claudia/lei mi capisce | Only Claudia/ she understands me |
| an entire sentence | Forse Claudia ha ragione | Maybe Claudia is right |
ADVERBS OF MANNER
The structure to use for sentences with an adverb in Italian is as follow:
PATTERN
Subject + Verb + Adverb + (Object/Other Elements)
| Enrico ascolta attentamente la lezione. | Henry listens attentively to the lesson. |
| Laura ha cantato bene. | Laura sang well. |
| Vedo Davide volentieri. | I see Davide willingly. |
Many of these adverbs are formed by adding the suffix -mente to the feminine of the corresponding adjective: attenta–mente, rapida–mente, onesta–mente… How come?
Because originally they were Latin expressions formed by two words: the feminine noun mens, mentis in the ablative case (mind) and an adjective concordant.
In addition to adverbs of manner in -mente, there are also those in -oni carponi, tentoni, bocconi… (crawling, groping, chomping) and qualifying adjectives used in the masculine singular in adverbial function (Parla forte!).
ADVERBS OF QUANTITY
An adverb of quantity indicates an indefinite quantity: poco (a little), almeno (at least), abbastanza (quite), quasi (almost), soltanto (only), molto (very much), altrettanto (equally), circa (about), troppo (too much) …
However, you must be careful not to confuse them with adjectives and indefinite pronouns.
In order to recognise them, bear in mind that if they accompany the noun they are adjectives, if they replace the noun they are pronouns, if they specify the meaning of the verb they are adverbs, as you can see in the following examples:
| Ho mangiato poco. | I ate little. | A dverb of quantity |
| Ho mangiato poca pasta. | I ate little pasta. | Indefinite adjective |
| Pochi sanno come stanno le cose. | Few know how things are. | Indefinite pronoun |
ADVERBS OF TIME
The adverb of time indicates the time at which the action takes place: ieri (yesterday), oggi (today), domani (tomorrow), ora (now), adesso (immediately), presto (soon), tardi (late), sempre (always), mai (never), spesso (often), prima (before)…
| Raramente mi capita di arrivare tardi agli appuntamenti. | I am rarely late for appointments. |
| Vado a correre prima di andare al lavoro. | I go for a run before going to work. |
| Quando ho avuto bisogno, l’idraulico è arrivato subito. | When I needed it, the plumber came right away. |
ADVERBS OF PLACE
An adverb of place indicates where the action takes place or where an object or person is located in relation to the speaker and the listener.
Examples are:
• qui and qua (here) and the compounds quaggiù (down here) and quassù (up here), referring to a place close to the speaker and listener;
• lì and là (there) and the compounds laggiù (down there) and lassù (up there) referring to a place far from the speaker and listener;
• giù (down), su (up), sotto (under), sopra (over), dentro (inside), fuori (outside), davanti (in front), dietro (behind), dappertutto (everywhere), altrove (elsewhere), intorno (around);
• the adjectives vicino (near) and lontano (far) used in the masculine singular with adverbial function.
Remember, however, that words such as sotto (under), sopra (over), dentro (inside), fuori (outside), davanti (in front), dietro (behind) can also be used as improper prepositions when holding a noun. Look at the following example:
Ti aspetto fuori (I’ll meet you outside school) Fuori here is therefore an adverb.Ci troviamo fuori da scuola (We are outside of school). Here, on the other hand it is a preposition.
ADVERBS OF JUDGEMENT
Falling into the category of adverbs of judgement are the adverbs of:
• Affirmation: sì (yes), certo (certainly), sicuramente (definitely), appunto (indeed), davvero (for real), proprio (just);
• Negation: no (no), non (not), minimamente (not at all);
• Doubt: forse (maybe), probabilmente (probably), magari (perhaps).
Here is an example of a sentence in which you can observe how the use of the adverb of negation does not allow you to turn the sense of the sentence from positive to negative:
Mi piacciono le lasagne. Non mi piacciono le lasagne. I like lasagne. I don’t like lasagne.
INTERROGATIVE & EXCLAMATIVE ADVERBS
The interrogative adverb introduces a direct question.
| Come stai? | How are you? |
| Dove vai? | Where are you going? |
| Quando torni? | When are you coming back? |
These same adverbs can also take on exclamatory value, for example in the sentences:
| Come sei bravo! | How good you are! |
| Ma quando mai! | But when will that ever be! |
Ecco (here) is also an adverb and is used to present what is being talked about, drawing the interlocutor’s attention to it at the beginning of the sentence. For example:
| Ecco che arriva Lorenzo | Here comes Lorenzo |
| Eccomi! | Here I am |
This is why it is called a presentative adverb. Conversely, the adverb insomma (in short) is used at the conclusion of an argument or discourse:
| Insomma, vi ho detto tutto e ora attendo vostri suggerimenti. | In short, I have told you everything and now I await your suggestions. |
| Insomma, ecco tutto! | In short, that’s all! |
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FAQs
What is a adverb in Italian?
An adverb is a word that modifies or gives more information about a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, indicating how, when, where, or to what extent an action takes place (e.g., velocemente – quickly, sempre – always).
Where to place the adverb in a sentence?
Adverbs usually appear after the verb they modify, but some adverbs, especially of time and frequency (like sempre – always or mai – never), can appear between the subject and the verb or at the beginning of the sentence.
What types of Italian adverbs are there?
The main types of adverbs include adverbs of manner (e.g., bene – well), time (e.g., ora – now), place (e.g., qui – here), quantity (e.g., molto – a lot), and frequency (e.g., sempre – always).
How are Italian adverbs formed?
Many adverbs of manner are formed by adding -mente to the feminine form of adjectives (e.g., lento – slow becomes lentamente – slowly). Others are fixed words (e.g., molto – very, bene – well).
Can adverbs modify adjectives in Italian?
Yes, adverbs can modify both adjectives and other adverbs. For example, molto intelligente (very intelligent) or corre troppo velocemente (runs too quickly).
Can I study Italian with LTL?
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