What is an Adverb Phrase?

You may find yourself asking, what is an adverb phrase? To clarify, an adverb phrase, like an adverb, modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb by providing additional details about it.

Prepositional phrases and infinitive phrases can both function as an adverb phrase in sentences. A prepositional phrase includes a preposition, its object, and any modifiers of the object. An infinitive phrase includes an infinitive, plus any modifiers and complements.

Examples of Prepositional Phrases as an Adverb Phrase:

(At school is the prepositional phrase. It functions as an adverb phrase, modifying the adverb well.)

Adverb Phrase Examples (Past the lakefront is the prepositional phrase. It functions as an adverb phrase, modifying the verb drove.)

Christina went to the grocery store.

(To the grocery store is the prepositional phrase. It functions as an adverb phrase, modifying the verb went.)

Dad found his change between the couch cushions.

(Between the couch cushions is the prepositional phrase. It functions as an adverb phrase, modifying the verb found.)

Exercise is good for your health.

(For your health is the prepositional phrase. It functions as an adverb phrase, modifying the adjective good.)

The detective arrived at the crime scene.

(At the crime scene is the prepositional phrase. It functions as an adverb phrase, modifying the verb arrived.)

Examples of Infinitive Phrases as Adverb Phrases:

To track my running speed, I use a stopwatch.

(To track my running speed is the infinitive phrase. It functions as an adverb phrase, modifying the verb use.)

I awaken very early to make the most of the day.

(To make the most of the day is the infinitive phrase. It functions as an adverb phrase, modifying the adverb early.)

To get the room ready for painting, we moved the furniture.

(To get the room ready for painting is the infinitive phrase. It functions as an adverb phrase, modifying the verb moved.)

Marta went to the optometrist to have her eyes checked.

(To have her eyes checked is the infinitive phrase. It functions as an adverb phrase, modifying the verb went.)

Carter put wood in the fireplace to keep the cabin warm.

(To keep the cabin warm is the infinitive phrase. It functions as an adverb phrase, modifying the verb put.)

To prepare for the holidays, I cleaned the house.

(To prepare for the holiday is the infinitive phrase. It functions as an adverb phrase, modifying the verb cleaned.)