music to the
lonely ear.--BYRON.

With bowering leaves [that grow] _o'erhead_, to which the eye
Looked up half sweetly, and half awfully.--LEIGH HUNT.

[Sidenote: _A phrase._]

An adverb may modify a phrase which is equivalent to an adjective or
an adverb, as shown in the sentences,--

They had begun to make their effort much _at the same
time_.--TROLLOPE.

I draw forth the fruit, all wet and glossy, maybe _nibbled by
rabbits and hollowed out by crickets_, and perhaps _with a leaf
or two cemented to it_, but still _with a rich bloom to
it_.--THOREAU.

[Sidenote: _A clause or sentence._]

It may also modify a sentence, emphasizing or qualifying the
statement expressed; as, for example,--

And _certainly_ no one ever entered upon office with so few
resources of power in the past.--LOWELL.

_Surely_ happiness is reflective, like the light of heaven.
--IRVING.

We are offered six months' credit; and that, _perhaps_, has
induced some of us to attend it.--FRANKLIN.

[Sidenote: _Definition._]

280. An adverb, then, is a modifying word, which may qualify an
action word or a statement, and may add to the meaning of an adjective
or adverb, or a word group used as such.

NOTE.--The expression _action word_ is put instead of _verb_, because
_any_ verbal word may be limited by an adverb, not simply the forms
used in predication.

281. Adverbs may be classified in two ways: (1) according to the
meaning of the words; (2) according to their use in the sentence.

ADVERBS CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO MEANING.

282. Thus considered, there are six classes:--

(1) Time; as _now_, _to-day_, _ever_, _lately_, _before_,
_hitherto_, etc.

(2) Place. These may be adverbs either of

(_a_) PLACE WHERE; as _here_, _there_, _where_, _near_, _yonder_,
_above_, etc.

(_b_) PLACE TO WHICH; as _hither_, _thither_, _whither_,
_whithersoever_, etc.

(_c_) PLACE FROM WHICH; as _hence_, _thence_, _whence_,
_whencesoever_, etc.

(3) Manner, telling _how_ anything is done; as _well_, _slowly_,
_better_, _bravely_, _beautifully_. Action is conceived or performed
in so many ways, that these adverbs form a very large class.

(4) Number, telling _how many times_: _once_, _twice_, _singly_,
_two by two_, etc.

(5) Degree, telling _how much_; as _little_, _slightly_, _too_,
_partly_, _enough_, _greatly_, _much_, _very_, _just_, etc. (see also
Sec. 283)