Adverbs

The Basics of Adverbs

• Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
• They are used to express how, when, where, why, or to what extent an action is performed.
• In Latin, many adverbs are derived from adjectives.

Forming Adverbs from Adjectives

• A common way to form Latin adverbs is to use the base form of a 1st or 2nd declension adjective and add -ē for positive degree, -ius for comparative, and -issimē for superlative.
• For example, ‘celer’ (quick) becomes ‘celerē’ (quickly), ‘celerius’ (more quickly), and ‘celerissimē’ (most quickly).
• Note that 3rd declension adjectives form adverbs differently: they use the base form and add -iter for positive degree, -ius for comparative, and -issimē for superlative.

Types of Adverbs

• Frequency adverbs: Indicate how often an action occurs. For example, ‘saepe’ (often), ‘semper’ (always), ‘numquam’ (never).
• Place adverbs: Indicate where an action takes place. For example, ‘ubi’ (where), ‘domi’ (at home), ‘huc’ (here).
• Time adverbs: Indicate when an action occurs. For example, ‘nunc’ (now), ‘tum’ (then), ‘mox’ (soon).
• Manner adverbs: Indicate how an action is performed. For example, ‘bene’ (well), ‘miserē’ (wretchedly), ‘prudenter’ (wisely).
• Degree adverbs: Indicate the extent of an action or quality. For example, ‘multum’ (much), ‘satis’ (enough), ‘nimis’ (too).

Use of Adverbs

• In a sentence, adverbs usually stand near the words they modify.
• However, in Latin, they can sometimes appear at the beginning or end of sentences for emphasis. For example, ‘Saepe errans’ translates to ‘Often erring’.