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An adverb as a complete utterance

المؤلف:  R.M.W. Dixon

المصدر:  A Semantic approach to English grammar

الجزء والصفحة:  426-12

2023-04-25

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An adverb as a complete utterance

Most adverbs can make up a complete utterance, either in reply to a question or in response to a statement. The main adverbs which are unlikely to have this function are:

. only, even, just (non-time sense), also, too, simply, etc.

 

Discourse contexts in which an adverb may make up a full reply or response include:

(a) An answer to a wh- question with

where or in which direction, etc.—spatial adverbs; for example, ‘Where is he?’ ‘Downstairs.’

when or for how long, etc.—all phrasal and clausal time adverbs and most mono-morphemic time adverbs; for example, ‘When will it be ready?’ ‘Presently.’

how—adverbs derived from adjectives, for example, ‘How did he react?’ ‘Jealously.’

how much; for example, ‘How much do you like him?’ ‘Awfully much.’

 

(b) An answer to a polar question can be an adverb which here functions as an interjection; for example, ‘Has he finished it?’ ‘Almost’, and ‘Is she the best candidate?’ ‘Obviously.’ These include:

almost, hardly

indeed, of course set

definitely, usually, obviously, etc.

rather, quite, a-bit, kind-of, absolutely

slightly, somewhat

 

(c) A questioning response to a statement; for example, ‘Mary did it.’ ‘Really?’ and ‘John has finished it.’ ‘Already?’ These include:

alone?

always?, still?, already?, again? (and perhaps others)

really? truly?