INTERROGATIVE ADVERBS

285. The adverbs how, when, where, why, whither, whence, etc., are used in asking questions, and when they are used in this way they are called interrogative adverbs. For example:

These adverbs, how, when, where, why, whence and whither, are used in these sentences to modify the verbs and ask the questions concerning the time or place or manner of action expressed in the verb.

How may also be used as an interrogative adverb modifying an adjective or another adverb. For example:

In the first sentence, the adverb how modifies the adverb late, and introduces the question. In the second sentence how modifies the adjective large and introduces the question.

Exercise 4

Write sentences containing the interrogative adverbs how, when, where and why, to modify verbs and ask simple questions.

Write sentences using the interrogative adverb how to modify an adjective and an adverb and to introduce a question.

ADVERBS OF MODE

286. There are some adverbs which scarcely fall into any of the above classes and cannot be said to answer any of these questions. They are such adverbs as indeed, certainly, fairly, truly, surely, perhaps and possibly. These adverbs really modify the entire sentence, in a way, and are used to show how the statement is made,—whether in a positive or negative way or in a doubtful way. For example:

Here, these adverbs, truly, surely, perhaps and indeed, show the manner in which the entire statement is made; so they have been put in a class by themselves and called adverbs of mode. Mode means literally manner, but these are not adverbs that express manner of action, like slowly or wisely or well or ill. They express rather the manner in which the entire statement is made, and so really modify the whole sentence.