Latin Literature

Adverbs -Section A Reference

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Adverbs usually modify verbs, hence the name.
They may also modify adjectives or other adverbs.

E.G.

Celeriter currit He runs swiftly (modifies verb)
Nimis gravis est He is too serious (modifies adjective)
Nunc quoque di laudantur Now also the gods are praised (modifies adverb)

Adverbs are indeclinable...they will now change except in degrees. There are adverbs of:
Time - cras-tomorrow, ubi-when, diu-for a long time, nocte-at night, etc...
Place - ibi-there, ubi-where, huc-to this place, usquam-anywhere, etc.
Manner - quam-how, cur-why, sic-so, itaque-therefore, and so, igitur-therefore

First and Second Declension Adjectives can become adverbs by adding -e to the stem.

Adj. Stem Adverb
clarus clar- clare
pulcher pulchr- pulchre
miser miser- misere

 

Third Declension Adjective add -iter to the stem (or -er if the stem ends in -nt)
N.B. iter also is the Latin word for journey, so you send the 3rd decl. adj. on a "journey"

Adj. Stem Adverb
levis lev leviter
diligens diligent- diligenter

N.B. Bonus and magnus have irregular adverb forms-bene-well, magnopere-greatly

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