Circumstance Adverbials

• give more information about the clause

• anwer most WH questions (not who/what)

• optional: not required by the verb phrase

• obligatory: required by verb phrase

• manner place time ordering of adverbials

• SVOA

• part of the clause which is affected by a modifyer

• circumstance adverbials restrict or monimize the meaning of an element int he clause

1. Place - give distance, direciton, location

2. Time - address points in time, duration, frequency, time relationships

3. Process - how something happens

4. Contingency -how things depend on each other

5. Degree - how far/much/many and to what extent

6. Addition and restriction - adding to previously written/spoken idea

7. Recipient - identifies the person for whom the action was directed

8. Perspective/respect

They strengthe the clause's contents (diminishers weaken)

1. mainly children

2. mainly playing

3. mainly in the swamp

1. Completing the meaning of verb

2. ordering adverbials in final position

   1. information flow

   2. end weight

1. information flow

2. scope over the entire clause

3. setting the scene (place time)

1. addition/restriction

2. degree

3. one word adverbials of time

An -ed or -ing pariciple that has a subject that is missiong from the main clause’s subject

Amplifiers are words which strengthen the content of the clause. They are usually adverbs or extent/degree. 

End  focus is an exception to the MPT rule. This exception to the MPT-rule is usually used for information flow reasons. In English there is a tendency for old before new which means that the newest piece of information goes at the end of the clause. 

End-weight is the tendency for long adverbial to appear in the final position.If there is a string of adverbials, the longest one tends to go to the end  (this breaks the MPT-rule).

Example: We were raised very strictly by religious zealots. 

Adverbials in the final position tend to be circumstance adverbials. The final position is at the end of the clause. 

Some adverbials tend to take the initial position in the clause. Linking adverbials & stance adverbials are often found in this position. 

Example:  Honestly, I can't stand him. 

Adverbials in th medial position are often found before one word verbs, after auxiliary verbs and after the verb be. 

Examples:

• I almost finished the book. 

• We will probably go on holiday in September. 

• He is clearly bored. 

Negative adverbials in the initial position trigger inversion. Examples:

• Seldom have I been so irritated. 

• Never will I see him again.

Rarely, hardly and scarcely are other examples of negative adverbials.