HOW TO USE SPANISH ADVERBS

Adverbs in Spanish are invariable words (they do not change form based on gender or number) and modify or qualify several categories of words or phrases.

Adverbs provide additional information on quantity, manner, time, place, degree or affirmation/negation/doubt and often answer questions such as ‘When?’, ‘How?’, ‘Where?’, ‘To what extent?’, ‘To what extent?’ and so forth.

TYPES OF ADVERBS

In Spanish, the traditional way to classify adverbs is according to their meaning and function.

Based on said distinction, these are the categories of adverbs:

Most adverbs in Spanish carry a lexical meaning, that is, they have a specific (real-world) meaning, as defined in the dictionary, like for example repetidamente (repeatedly).

Most of the lexical adverbs end in –mente, like supuestamente (supposedly), rápidamente (quickly) and lentamente (slowly). These kinds of adverbs are normally formed by adding the suffix –mente to the ending of the singular feminine form of the adjective.

Some adverbs, on the other hand, just have a grammatical purpose, that is, they serve a functional role in a sentence, such as no (no), ya (already), and aquí (here).

Adverbio de Lugar (Adverb of Place)

Adverbs of place characteristically describe where an action or something takes place, frequently answering questions like ‘Where?’

Adverbio de Tiempo (Adverb of Time)

Adverbs of time characteristically describe when or the frequency with which an action or something happens, usually answering questions like ‘When?’ or ‘How often?’

Adverbio de Modo o Manera (Adverb of Mode or Manner)

Adverbs of mode or manner characteristically describe how or the manner in which an action or something is performed or takes place, frequently answering questions like ‘How?’ 

Adverbs of mode or manner often end in –mente, which are generally derived from adjectives.

These kinds of adverbs are normally formed by adding the suffix –mente to the ending of the singular feminine form of the adjective, like for example:

doloroso (painful masculine, singular) → dolorosa + mente → dolorosamente (painfully)

Adverbio de Cantidad y Grado (Adverb of Quantity and Degree)

Adverbs of quantity and degree characteristically describe the degree or extent to which something or an action is performed or a characteristic is present, frequently answering questions like ‘How much?’ or ‘How many?’

Adverbios de Afirmación, Negación y Duda (Adverbs of Affirmation, Negation and Doubt)

Adverbs of affirmation, negation, and doubt characteristically indicate that there is either an affirmation, negation, or uncertainty.

PLACEMENT OF ADVERBS

Spanish allows for a great degree of flexibility when it comes to adverb placement within a given phrase. Many times, the placement of an adverb is more a stylistic choice than a grammatical one. 

Irrespective of the flexibility in the placement of adverbs within a phrase, the natural tendency is to place the adverb closest to the word that it qualifies or modifies. Also, certain positions tend to be more common depending on what the adverb is qualifying or modifying.

WITH VERBS

Adverbs that modify or qualify verbs typically follow the verb that they modify or qualify:

WITH ADJECTIVES & OTHER ADVERBS

Adverbs that modify or qualify an adjective or another adverb normally precede the adjective or adverb that is being modified or qualified:

WITH SENTENCES

Adverbs that modify or qualify an entire sentence, particularly those that refer to time, affirmation, negation, or doubt are normally placed at the beginning of the sentence or clause:

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