The term adverb is reserved for individual words such as then, now, yesterday, here, difficult, etc., to express typical concepts such as place, time and way (manner).
In Modern Greek the adverbs are indeclinable and like the adjectives they also have degrees of comparison!
An adverb gives extra information to a sentence!
The cursive written words in below examples are the adverbs which accompany verbs and determine or modify them. They can also adjectives, other adverbs, nouns, numbers and quantities. They give us information about the concepts place, time, manner, quantity or number, denial or confirmation and hesitation, even about a whole sentence.
ελληνικά | αγγλικά |
---|---|
Πού έβαλες το βιβλίο; Το έβαλα επάνω στο τραπέζι. | Where did you put the book? I put it on the table |
Πότε θα έρθεις; Θα έρθω αργά. | When are you coming? I'm coming laat. |
Νωρίς ήρθες. | Je komt vroeg. |
Πώς είσαι; Είμαι καλά. | How are you? I am okay. |
Πόσο μ' αγαπάς; Σ' αγαπώ πολύ. | How much do you love me? I love you a lot |
Είσαι σίγουρη ότι θα έρθεις; Ναι, είμαι σίγουρη. | Are you sure that you are coming? Yes I am sure |
Ίσως, δεν ξέρω; | May-be, I don't know? |
Όχι, δεν είμαι σίγουρη. | No, I am not sure. |
A few examples more:
ελληνικά | αγγλικά |
---|---|
1. Ο Γιώργος είναι πολύ όμορφος! | George is very handsome! |
2. Περάσαμε πολύ καλά στο πάρτι! | We spent a very good (time) at the party |
3. Γύρισες κάπως αργά από το πάρτι. | You came back rather late from the party |
4. Πήρα περίπου τρία κιλά. | I put on about three kilos (weight). |
5. Μπες από την πίσω πόρτα. | Get out through the back door. |
6. Ευτυχώς ήρθες εγκαίρως. | Fortunately you came in time. |
- The adverb «πολύ» accompanies the adjective «όμορφος»
- The adverb «πολύ» accompanies the adverb «καλά»
- The adverb «κάπως» accompanies the adverb «αργά»
- The adverb «περίπου» accompanies the numerical adjective «τρία»
- The adverb «πίσω» accompanies the noun «πόρτα»
- The adverb «ευτυχώς» accompanies the whole sentence, the verb «έρχομαι» and the adverb «εγκαίρως»
In the older grammar, the first four concepts were also subdivided or separated by characteristics of the adverbs such as: questioning adverbs, indefinite adverbs, demonstrative adverbs, adverbs with regard to something and various different adverbs. This division could be used to compile the following tables:
- 1. Adverb of place:
English | Greek | with pers.pron. | with prep./adverb |
---|---|---|---|
opposite | αγνάντια | ||
else, elsewhere | αλλού | ||
at a distance, far away |
αλάργα | ||
between | ανάμεσα | ανάμεσά τους | ανάμεσα σε |
among | αναμεταξύ | αναμεταξύ μας | |
eastward | ανατολικά | ανατολικά | ανατολικά από |
opposite | αντίκρυ | αντίκρυ μου/μας | αντίκρυ σε |
on the other side | αντίπερα | ||
opposite | απέναντι | απέναντι σας | απέναντι από/σε |
to the left | αριστερά | αριστερά από/σε | |
northern, in the north | βόρεια | βόρεια από | |
about, around, round | γύρω | γύρω του | γύρω από/σε |
round about | γύρωθε | γύρωθε από/σε | |
to the right | δεξιά | δεξιά από | |
beside, by | δίπλα | δίπλα σου | δίπλα σε |
westward, western | δυτικά | δυτικά από | |
here | εδώ | εδώ που | |
hier | εδώθε | εδώθε που | |
there | εκεί | εκεί που | |
over there | εκείθε | εκείθε που | |
ahead, forward, onwards | εμπρός | εμπρός από/με | |
inside | εντός | ||
outside | έξω | έξω από | |
just about, somewhere | κάπου | ||
on the ground | καταγής | ||
right opposite | κατάντικρυ | ||
to the bottom, below, down | κάτω | κάτω από | |
about, close | κοντά | κοντά της | κοντά σε |
far | μακριά | μακριά του | |
inside | μέσα | μέσα μας | μέσα από/σε |
between | μεταξύ | μεταξύ τους | μεταξύ σε |
before | μπροστά | μπροστά της | μπροστά από/σε |
southern | νότια | νότια από | |
all around | ολόγυρα | ||
all around | ολούθε | ||
where | οπού | ||
wherever, anywhere | οπουδήποτε | ||
throughout, all over | παντού | ||
top | πάνω (απάνω/επάνω) | πάνω μας | πάνω από/σε/που |
adjacent | παράπλευρα | ||
beyond | πέρα | ||
surrounded | περίγυρα | ||
back, behind, aft | πίσω | πίσω σας | πίσω από |
next | πλαί | πλαί του | πλαί σε |
where (interrogatory) | πού | ||
from where (interrogatory) | πούθε | ||
nowhere, anywhere | πουθενά | ||
next to | σιμά | ||
around | τριγύρω | τριγύρω μου | |
down, on the ground | χάμω | ||
around rondom | τριγύρω | τριγύρω (μου) | |
low down | χαμηλά | ||
high, aloft | ψηλά |
As shown in the above scheme, a weak personal pronoun, a preposition or even another adverb can be placed after some adverbs.
Included in abovementioned adverbs are the adverbs used in the poetic language, like, «όθε» - where, «ξοπίσω» - behind, «ζερβά» - (to the) left.
Also the different adverbs with the endings in «-ης», «-ις» en «-α», like «καταμεσής σε» - in the middle of, «μεσοστρατίς» - halfway, «κατακέφαλα» - directly on the head , «κατάματα» - directly in the eyes, «κατάκαρδα» - directly in the heart, etc.
Many adverbs of place are seen together with the following prepositions: «για πάνω» - from above, «κατά πίσω» - towards behind, «κατά κάτω» - towards downstairs, «από μπρος» = beforehand, «από πέρα» - from beyond.
The adverbs «εδώ» and «εκεί» can only be shortened when the preceding word ends in «α», «ο», «ου» or «έ». These adverbs don´t get an apostrophe e.g. «από δω» - from here, «από κει» - from there and «τράβα δω» - go away here, «τράβα κει» - go away there
«μπροστά» also means be present as in:
- «ήταν μπροστά» - they were present
Some examples in sentences:
English | Greek |
---|---|
Where is the shop? | Πού είναι το μαγαζί; |
There is the shop. | Το μαγαζί είναι εκεί. |
I found the book nowhere. | Δεν βρήκα το βιβλίο πουθενά. |
I searched everywhere. | Έψαξα παντού. |
We are going where you like. | Πάμε όπου θέλεις. |
The garbage was outside the house | Τα σκουπίδια ήταν έξω από το σπίτι |
We had a hotel near Athens | Είχαμε ένα ξενοδοχείο κοντά στην Αθήνα |
Not far away from the town. | Δεν είναι μακριά από την πόλη. |
From inside the room you reach the behind door. | Μέσα από το δωμάτιο φτάνεις στην πίσω πόρτα. |
- 2. Adverbs of time:
English | Greek |
---|---|
incessantly, ceaselessly | αδιάκοπα |
yet, still | ακόμα * |
formerly, at another time | άλλοτε |
immediately | αμέσως |
on the same day | ανήμερα |
in three days | αντιμεθαύριο |
three years ago | αντιπρόπερσι |
before three days | αντιπροχτές |
tonight, this evening | απόψε |
once in a while | αραιά |
late | αργά |
tomorrow | αύριο |
fast | γρήγορα |
in time, timely | έγκαιρα (εγκαίρως) |
now and then | ενίοτε |
afterwards, then | έπειτα |
finally | επιτέλους |
directly, right away | ευθύς |
already | ήδη |
ever, at all times | καμιά φορά |
once | κάποτε |
afterwards | κατόπιν |
from time to time | κάπου κάπου |
already | κιόλας |
the day after tomorrow | μεθάυριο |
after, later | μετά ** |
just, barely, scarcely | μολίς |
early | νωρίς |
the whole time | όλο |
increasingly | ολοένα |
increasingly | όλο και |
when ever | όποτε |
when | οπότε |
at any moment | οποτεδήποτε |
never | ουδέποτε |
allways | πάντα |
again | πάλι, ξανά |
every time, always | πάντοτε |
previous year | πέρυσι |
any longer | πια |
most, more | πλέον |
when (interrogating) | πότε |
sometimes, on occasion | πότε πότε |
(n)ever | ποτέ |
formerly, earlier | πριν ** |
two years ago | πρόπερσι |
previously, formerly | πρωτύτερα |
day before yesterday | προχθές |
earlier, former | πρώην |
first | πρώτα |
today | σήμερα |
seldom, rarely | σπάνια |
in time | στην ώρα |
at the same moment | συνάμα |
usually | συνήθως |
often | συχνά |
regularly | τακτικά |
former | τέως |
in another time | τον παρ' άλλο χρόνο |
toen | τότε |
now | τώρα |
later | ύστερα |
this year | φέτος |
(three) times | (τρεις) φορές |
yesterday | χθες/εψές |
next year | του χρόνου |
Included in above scheme are:
The adverbs used in the poetic language, like «ταχιά» - fast, «πάρωρα» - untimely, «σύγκαιρα» - contemporary.
The different adverbs with the endings in «-ίς», like: «αποβραδίς» - yesterday evening, «ολημερίς» - the whole day, «ολοχρονίς» - the whole year, etc. and others, with a time indication, like «καταμεσήμερα» - in the afternoon, «νυχτόημερα» - day and night, «μεσοβδόμαδα» - midweek, etc.
The participles with a time indication, like: «ξημερώνοντας» - at daybreak, «βραδιάζοντας» - when the night falls, «σουρουπώνοντας» - when it dawned, «νυχτώνοντας» - when the night is falling
The adverb of place like «κοντά» in («τώρα κοντά» - close now) and the adverbs of manner, «μαζί», like in («μαζί ακριβή και καλή ποιότητα» - expensive and at the same time good quality).
Many adverbs of time are often used with prepositions, like «από πότε» - from when, since when, «ως πότε» - till when, «για πότε» - for when.
We are dealing with the following adverbs of time:
- expressing a point in time
- expressing frequency
* «ακόμα» is also an adverb of quantity.
** When «πριν» and «μετά» are used as an adverb the meanings are afore and later
- «Πρέπει να το κάνεις πριν». - you have to do it earlier.
- «Θα το κάνω μέτα». - I'll do it later.
When «πριν» and «μετά» are denoting a distance in time there are three different ways to describe the same thing e.g.:
He came a month ago
- Ήρθε πριν από έναν μήνα.
- Ήρθε έναν μήνα πριν.
- Ήρθε πριν έναν μήνα.
«ποι πριν» also means before, previously
He left one week later
- Έφυγε μετά από μια εβδομάδα.
- Έφυγε μια εβδομάδα μετά.
- Έφυγε μετά μια εβδομάδα.
but «μετά» a.f.:
- «Θα φύγει μετά ένα χρόνο» - He/she will leave in a year's time.
Some adverbs such as «αργά», «νωρίς», «πρώτα» «σπάνια», «συνήθως», «συχνά» and «τακτικά» have comparatives and superlatives degrees, with the exception of «συνήθως» which has only a comperative degree.
«ουδέποτε» differs in use from «ποτέ», because it's a negative adverb that can be used with a positive verb.
Some examples in sentences:
English | Greek |
---|---|
He will come tomorrow. | Θα έρθει αύριο. |
Come here immediately. | Έλα εδώ αμέσως. |
This year we will stay there. | Φέτος θα μείνουμε εκεί. |
You can come whenever you want. | Μπορείς να έρθεις όποτε θέλεις. |
He/she will come every time. | Κάθε φορά θα 'ρθει |
Later he/she will tell it to us again. | Ύστερα θα μας το πει πάλι. |
When he comes, then I will come too. | Όταν έρθει, τότε θα έρθω και εγώ |
One time he says this and the other time that. | Πότε λέει το ένα και πότε το άλλο. |
We can not know that in advance. | Δεν μπορούμε να το ξέρουμε από τα πριν. |
She never got an answer on her question. | Ουδέποτε έλαβε απάντηση στην ερώτησή της. |
- 3. Adverb of manner:
English | Greek |
---|---|
slowly | αγάλια |
unfairly | άδικα |
heard | ακουστά |
exactly, precisely | ακριβώς |
otherwise, else | αλλιώς |
different, offbeat | αλλιώτικα |
retrospectively | αναδρομικά |
upside down | ανάποδα |
on the back | ανάσκελα |
deep, deeply | βαθιά |
french | γαλλικά |
quickly, fast | γρήγορα |
constantly, always | διαρκώς |
otherwise | ειδάλλως |
otherwise | ειδεμή |
greek | ελληνικά |
completely | εντελώς |
besides | εξάλλου |
suddenly | έξαφνα |
following | εξής |
fortunately | ευτυχώς |
(to take the) lead | επικεφαλής |
likewise, also | επίσης |
so, thus | έτσι |
especially, in particular | ιδίως |
equally, straight on | ίσια |
just | ίσια ίσια |
clearly | καθαρά |
in itself, kind | καθαυτού |
so on, further so | καθεξής |
at all, not at all, none | καθόλου |
as well as | καθώς |
bad | κακά |
of evil | του κάκου |
good | καλά |
well, alright | καλώς |
somewhat, rather, somehow | κάπως |
in great detail | καταλεπτώς |
on a Sunday | κυριακάτικα |
mainly | κυρίως |
together | μαζί |
all at once | μεμιάς |
only | μονάχα |
only, solely | μόνο |
in one go | μονομιάς |
on one's stomach, prone | μπρούμυτα |
clearly | ξάστερα |
suddenly | ξαφνικά |
nicely, well | όμορφα |
just as | όπως |
no matter what, in any case, certainly | οπωςδήποτε |
unanimously | παμψηφεί |
above all | προπάντων |
how (interrogatory) | πώς |
like | σαν |
quietly, slowly | σιγά |
crosslegged | σταυροπόδι |
crookedly, wrongly | στραβά |
consequently, thereafter | συνεπώς |
continuously | συνεχιστά |
possibly | τυχόν |
low | χαμηλά |
rustic | χωριάτικα |
apart | χωριστά |
high | ψηλά |
well, fine, nice | ωραία |
as | ως |
Included in above scheme are:
The adverbs of manner in the poetic language and in the vernacular, like , «αντάμα» - together and «χώρια» - separated
A large number of adverbs of manner with the ending in «-α» which are formed from the plural of the corresponding neuter adjectives in the nominative and accusative, like «ωραία» «βαθιά» and «στραβά».
The adverbs derived from verbal adjectives, like the verb «ξαπλώνω» - lie down with the adjective «ξαπλωτός, -η, -ο» - stretch out and the adverb «ξαπλωτά» - lying down, the verb «κολλάω, κολλώ» - stick, glue, of which the adjective is «κολλητός, -η, -ο» - glued end the adverb «κολλητά» - glued and the verb «πετάω, πετώ» - fly, throw with the adjective «πεταχτός, -η, -ο» - throwed, lively and the adverb «πεταχτά» - just fast .
En:
- «κάπως» and «καθόλου» are also adverbs of quantity .
- «έτσι» and «αλλιώς» are the opposite of each another. «έτσι κι αλλιώς» means anyway, regardless.
- after «μαζί» a weak personal pronoun may be placed e.g. «σου», then it means with you. With the preposition «με» it means together with ...
Some examples in sentences:
English | Greek |
---|---|
He only speaks Greek. | Μιλάει μόνο ελληνικά |
They speak together. | Μιλούν μαζί. |
She always speaks clearly. | Πάντα μιλάει καθαρά. |
It's crystal clear. | Είναι καθαρά και ξάστερα. |
This music is somewhat bizarre. | Αυτή η μουσική είναι κάπως παράξενη. |
I wait for you anyway. | Θα σου περιμένω οπωσδήποτε. |
Sleep as you want. | Κοιμήσου όπως θέλεις. |
I could not do otherwise | Δεν μπορούσα να κάνω αλλιώς. |
- 4. Adverbs of quantity:
English | Greek |
---|---|
enough, quite | αρκετά |
by no means | διόλου |
least, remotely | ελάχιστα |
equally, evenly | εξίσου |
none, not at all, not nearly | καθόλου |
quite a long way | κάμποσο |
just about, rather | κάπως |
piece, bit | κομμάτι |
a little bit | λιγάκι |
a little, little, slightly | λίγο |
less, at least | λιγότερο |
further, quite, rather | μάλλον |
just, barely | μόλις |
only, solely | μόνο |
completely, alltogether | ολωσδιόλου |
as long as, as much as | όσο xx |
as much as, as long as | οσοδήποτε |
completly | ολότελα |
about, much about | (ε-, α-) πάνω κάτω |
too much, near | πάρα |
about, pretty much | περίπου |
more | περισσότερο |
very, much | πολύ |
more | πιο |
how much (interrogatory) | πόσο |
just about, nearly, almost | σχεδόν |
completely | τελείως |
such, so much, so, this | τόσο |
at least | τουλάχιστον * |
To the quantitative adverbs also belong the adverbs or other words preceded by «πάρα» in order to intensify their meaning, like «πάρα πολύ» - very much, «παραπάνω» - further up, more, «παραπέρα» - furthermore, etc.
Some nouns in negative sentences are used as adverbs a.f. «άχνα» - not, «κουκούτσι» - not a grain, «σταλιά» - a little bit, etc.
Some examples in sentences:
English | Greek |
---|---|
You are getting nowhere, you earn too little. | Δε θα φτάσεις, κερδίζεις πολύ λίγο. |
It's quite well | Eίναι αρκετά καλά. |
I meet John almost every morning. | Σχεδόν κάθε πρωί συναντάω ο Γιάννη. |
I learned the lessons entirely. | Έμαθα τα μαθήματα τελείως. |
He did not eat a litle. | Δεν έφαγε σταλιά |
The costs of the flight were the least. | Τα έξοδα για την πτήση ήταν το λιγότερο. |
* «λιγότερο» is the comparative degree of «λίγο», similarly as «τουλάχιστον» and «ελάχιστο»
** «περισσότερο» is the comparative degree of «πολύ»
look here for degrees of comparison
- 5. Adverbs of confirmation:
English | Greek |
---|---|
really, honestly | αλήθεια |
really, truly | αληθινά |
of course | βέβαια |
surely, certainly | βεβαιότατα |
even, though, certainly | μάλιστα |
yes | ναι |
defenitely | ορισμένως |
indeed, actually | πράγματι |
correctly, aright | σωστά |
indeed | τωόντι |
Some examples in sentences:
English | Greek |
---|---|
Sure that's positive. | Μάλιστα, αυτό είναι θετικό. |
Yes, he/she is not honest, that's true! | Ναι, δεν είναι ειλικρινής, σωστά! |
Yes, of course I'll come at eight! | Ναι βεβαίως, θα έρθω στις οκτώ! |
Indeed, well answered! | Πράγματι, σωστά απάντησες! |
Of course not | Όχι βέβαια! |
Her feelings are not real. | τα αισθήματά της δεν είναι αληθινά. |
Some additional functions are:
Adverbs can be used as an exclamation or express a reaction, e.g.:
ελληνικά | ολλανδικά |
---|---|
ακριβώς! | exactly, precisely! |
βέβαια of βεβαίως! | of course, sure, certainly! |
έκτακτα! | excellent! |
ίσως | perhaps, maybe |
καλά! | okay, well! |
λαμπρά! | brilliant! |
όχι | no |
σαφώς! | clearly, plainly! |
ωραία! | fine, prettily, nattily, nicely! |
The aforementioned adverbs are used as an exclamation or to express an answer to something that has been said.
- 6. Adverbs of doubt or hesitation:
English | Greek |
---|---|
I wonder | άραγε |
ostensibly | δήθεν |
maybe, perhaps | ίσως |
don't | μη(ν) |
maybe, by any chance | μήπως |
possibly | πιθανό(ν) |
supposedly | τάχα |
supposedly | τάχατε |
Some examples in sentences:
English | Greek |
---|---|
Should that surprise us? | Θα πρέπει άραγε να μας εκπλήσσει αυτό; |
Maybe I'll go on holiday. | Μήπως κάνω διακοπές. |
He ostensibly does not know, she's coming. | Δεν ξέρει δήθεν οτί θα έρθει. |
Possibly I have a job. | Πιθανό να έχω δουλειά. |
Maybe I can't see you this afternoon. | Ίσως να μη μπορέσω να σε δω το απόγευμα. |
Do you have perhaps a pencil for me? | Έχεις μήπως ένα μολύβι να μου δώσεις; |
- 7. Adverbs of negation:
English | Greek |
---|---|
not | δε(ν) |
not | μη(ν) |
no | όχι |
of ourse not | όχι βέβαια |
Also the conjunctions «ούτε» - nor en «μήτε» - neither, nor are useful and used quite often.
Some examples in sentences:
English | Greek |
---|---|
No, he's not home. | Όχι, δεν είναι στο σπίτι. |
Don't speak to him when he drives. | Μη του μιλάς, όταν οδηγεί. |
You don't get that. | Δεν πάρεις αυτό. |
And you don't get that either. | Και ούτε πάρεις αυτό. |
I did not go an I don't want to go either. | Ούτε πήγα ούτε θέλω να πάω. |
The house is neither big nor small. | Το σπίτι είναι μήτε μικρό μήτε μεγάλο. |
Don't even think of it! | Ούτε καν να το σκέφτεδσαι! |
«ούτε» and «μήτε»
ελληνικά | αγγλικά |
---|---|
μήτε (κι) εγώ | nor do I |
ούτε (κι) εγώ | nor do I |
μήτε μικρό μήτε μεγάλο | neither small nor large |
ούτε καν με ρώτησε | he didn't even ask me once |
An adverbial clause expressed with the word «κάθε» - each, any in combination with adverbs:
- «κάθε πόσο» (quantity)- how often
- «κάθε τόσο» (mannner)- from time to time
- «κάθε φορά» (time)- each time
- «κάθε Σάββατο» (time) - each Saturday
On the following links extensive explanations about the negation and the particles are to be found.
The adverbs don't only modify phrases and clauses to indicate the relation of time, place, manner etc., but they also qualify the significance of what is said, without any relation.
1. The modification of a verb through adverbs of manner, place, time and quantity:
ελληνικά | αγγλικά |
---|---|
1Σας βοήθησα καλά. | I helped you well. |
2Δουλεύω εδώ. | I work here. |
3Σας βοήθησα χθες. | I helped you yesterday. |
4Δούλεψα πολύ. | I worked a lot. |
- The adverb clarify the way in which the verb distinguishes itself in sentence 1.
- In the second sentence the adverb indicates the location.
- The sentences 3 and 4 express time and quantity.
2. The modification of the adjective or another adverb through adverbs of manner, time and quantity. An adverb of quantity that modifies an adjective denotes the degree of quality indicated by the adjective.
ελληνικά | αγγλικά |
---|---|
1Η γιορτή ήταν καλά οργανωμένη. | The party was well organized |
2Το αμέσως επόμενο βήμα είναι να περιμένει. | The immediate next step is to wait. |
3Αυτό το είπαμε από τότε κιόλας. | We have already said that at the time. |
4Αυτό είναι αρκετά σωστό. | That's enough correct (that is true). |
5Η ομιλία του για τη ρύπανση ήταν ελάχιστα κατανοητή. | His speech about pollution is hardly comprehensible. |
6Αυτό που δηλώνεις δεν είναι καθόλου ευχάριστο. | What you state is not pleasant at all. |
7Η ζωγραφική του είναι φοβερά καλή. | His painting is terribly good. |
8Η υγεία της έγινε κάπως καλύτερη. | Her health became somewhat better. |
9Πόσο καλά αισθάνεται; | How well does she/he feel? |
10Αισθάνεται αρκετά καλά. | She/he feels quite well. |
- The adverbs in the sentences zin 1 and 2 give information about the adjectives «οργανωμένος» and «επόμενος»
- «Τότε» and «κιόλας» in sentence 3 are both adverbs of time and in this case «κιόλας» reinforces the tendency of the phrase more than as if it was not mentioned.
- «Αρκετά» in sentence 4 is an adverb of quantity that says something about the adjective «σωστός».
- The same occurs in the sentences 5 to 8, inwhich «ελάχιστα» says something about the adjective «κατανοητός», «καθόλου» about «ευχάριστος», «φοβερά» about «καλός» and «κάπως» about «καλύτερος».
- In the sentences 9 and 10 both adverbs «πόσο» and «αρκετά» say something about the adverb «καλά».
3. The modification of the pronoun through adverbs of place and time
ελληνικά | αγγλικά |
---|---|
1η πρώην σύζυγός του | his ex (his former wife) |
2η παραπάνω παράγραφος | the above paragraph |
3ο τότε πρωθυπουργός | The former Prime Minister |
4η πίσω πόρτα | the behind door |
Adverbs of time and location in short adverbial clauses with a noun are placed between the article and the noun where they act in a sense as an adjective
4. The modification of the quantity through the adverb:
ελληνικά | αγγλικά |
---|---|
1για μια εβδομάδα περίπου | for about a week |
2τουλάχιστον πέντε φορές | at least five times |
3τόσο πολλοί άνθρωποι | that many people |
4σχεδόν όλα τα παιδιά | almost all the children |
In the above sentences all the adverbs give info about the nouns they are preceding.
5. The modification of a clause or phrase by an adverb
ελληνικά | αγγλικά |
---|---|
1Απλώς ήθελα να δω αν ήταν καλά. | I simply wanted to see if it was okay. |
2Δυστυχώς δεν τον είδα. | Unfortunately I did not see him. |
3Πραγματικά δεν μου αρέσει ο τρόπος σου. | In fact I don't like your method. |
4Ειλικρινά λυπάμαι γι 'αυτό μωρό μου. | Quite frankly I'm sorry honey. |
The above-mentioned adverbs express the assessment of the speaker on the meaning of the clause or whole phrase. They are particularly useful to connect two sentences and often appear at the beginning of a sentence. These adverbs, like for instance «ευτυχώς», which determine the sentence are called propositional adverbs as in the sentence: «ευτυχώς που ήρθες» - thankfully that you came. However they can be used also in other positions. Some more of these adverbs are:
- ευτυχώς - fortunately, luckily, happily
- βέβαια - of course, sure, certainly
- ίσως - maybe, perhaps
- περιέργως - curiously, pryingly
- σίγουρα - certainly
- τελικά - eventually, finally, ultimately
- φυσικά *- certainly, of course, naturally
* Two different word sequences might be confusing:
θα μιλήσω φυσικά | I will speak naturally (in a natural way) |
Φυσικά θα μιλήσω | Naturally (obviously) I will speak. |
6. Adverbs which merge phrases and sentences:
English | Greek |
---|---|
besides | άλλωστε |
consequently, therefore | άρα |
differently | διαφορετικά |
in addition, moreover | εξάλλου |
therefore, accordingly, consequently | επομένως |
so, thus | έτσι |
it's as if | και |
it's as if | λες και |
now, then, so | λοιπόν |
now, still, yet | όμως |
anyway, in any case, at any rate | πάντως |
just the same | παρ'όλα αυτά |
then | τότε |
now | τώρα |
however, nevertheless | ωστόσο |
Above scheme concerns adverbs, which connect semantic sentences with eachother without to be connected with the strict neaning of the word:
Examples in sentences:
ελληνικά | αγγλικά |
---|---|
Άλλωστε/εξάλλου, όπως βλέπεις εχούμε αρκετά φαγητά. | Moreover, we have enough food, as you see. |
Δεν είπε λέξη, άρα δεν της ζητήσαμε τίποτα. | She did not say a word, so we did not ask her anything |
Διαφορετικά δε θα είχαμε έρθει σήμερα | Otherwise we would not have come today. |
Είναι επομένως απολύτως αναγκαίο να δεχθεί η πρόταση. | Therefore it is absolutely necessary to accept the proposal. |
Έτσι είναι η ζωή, αγόρι μου. | That is life, my boy. |
Λες και δεν ξέρω ποιος είσαι. | As if I don't know who you are. |
Πρέπει λοιπόν να δράσουμε. | So we have to act. |
Σ'αυτή την περίπτωση, όμως, δεν ήταν ατύχημα. | In this case however it was not a accident. |
Θα κάνει αυτό που θέλει παρ' όλα αυτά. | He will nevertheless do what he wants. |
Εγώ πάντως πιστεύω ότι είναι βλακείες. | I think it is nonsense anyway. |
Τότε ίσως μπορώ να βοηθήσω. | Then I might help. |
Λοιπόν, τώρα το ξέρεις. | So now you know it. |
Χρειάζομαι ωστόσο περισσότερος χρόνος. | Nevertheless I need more time. |
7.Combinations of adverbs:
The range of combinations is limited, but there are a few adverbs, that precede the adverbs of place and time, in particular, viz: «ποι», «πολύ», «αρκετά», «τόσο» and «αμέσως»
Examples in phrases:
ποι αριστερά | more to the left |
ποι ανατολικά | more to the east |
ποι νωρίς | earlier |
ποι πριν | previously |
πολύ χαμηλά | very low |
πολύ δεξιά | much to the right |
πολύ δυτικά | much to te west |
πολύ ύστερα | much earlier |
αρκετά πάνω | quite far up |
αρκετά αργά | quite kate |
αρκετά ψηλά | quite high |
αρκετά κάτω | quite low |
τόσο νωρίς | so earky |
τόσο κάτω | so far down |
τόσο πάνω | so far up |
τόσο ψηλά | so low |
αμέσως πριν | immediately before |
αμέσως ύστερα | immediately after |
αμέσως ποι αριστερά | directly further to the left |
αμέσως ποι δεξιά | directly further to the right |
Another combination type consists of the adverbs that are placed after the adverbs of place and time in stead of preceding them. The most common type concerns: «εδώ» and «εκεί»
Examples in phrases:
πάνω εκεί | up there |
κοντά εδώ | near here |
πέρα εκεί | over there |
χαμηλά εδώ | down here |
To indicate approximation, «περίπου» is used after some adverbs of place and time:
Examples in phrases:
εδώ περίπου | more or less here |
στις δέκα περίπου | at about ten |
τότε περίπου | more or les at that time |
In essence adverbials are simple single-word adverbs, or adverbs accompanied by more words in a phrase or clause. Their function is to explain the meaning of the verb in a sentence. An adverb is actually lower in category than the adverbial. In order to distinguish between an adverb and an adverbial one has to take into account that an adverb can be an adverbial, but an adverbial can not be just an adverb, because also other words and phrases can be used this way, such as adverb phrases, noun phrases and preposition phrases or subordinate phrases. An adverbial encased the phrases or clauses which combine adverbs with nouns, prepositions or other adverbs, to work out the meaning of the verb in the sentence. A verb sentence may be modified by a few adverbials. The position of an adverbial, related to the verb or other words often depends on matters of content and centering.
An adverb versus ab adverbial:
adverb | adverbial |
---|---|
An adverb is a word that modifies the meaning of an adjective, verb or another adverb by expressing manner, place, time or degree. | An adverbial is a word or phrase functioning as a major clause constituent and typically expressing place, time and manner. |
Adverbs usually consist of one word. | Adverbials can be a word, phrase or clause. |
Adverbs modify an adjective, verb or an other adverb. | Adverbials function as adverbs. |
Examples in sentences:
ελληνικά | αγγλικά |
---|---|
1. Θα φύγω αύριο. | I will leave tomorrow. |
2. Θα φύγω την άλλη μέρα. | I will leave the next day. |
3. Αφήνω, μετά τέλειωσα τη δουλειά μου. | I'm going, after my work is done. |
4. Η Ελένη τρέχει πολύ γρήγορα. | Helen runs very fast. |
5. Το φαγητό είναι πάνω στο τραπέζι. | The food is on the table. |
6. Δουλεψα πριν πήγα στον κινηματογράφο. | I worked before I went to the cinema. |
7. Χθες δουλεψα όλη μέρα εκεί πριν πήγα στον κινηματογράφο. | Yesterday I worked there all day before I went to cinema. |
- The sentences 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 are all indicating the time or point in time when an action takes place.
- In sentence 1 is «αύριο» the adverbial with a single adverb.
- In sentence 2 «την άλλη μέρα» (in the accusative) is an adverbial with a noun.
- «μετά τέλειωσα τη δουλειά μου» in sentence 3 is an adverbial, in which «μετά» - later (when my work is done) is used adverbially.
- in sentence 4 is «πολύ γρήγορα» an adverbial, being a clause of two adverbs.
- In sentence 5 is «πάνω στο τραπέζι» an adverbial (with additional information), being a prepositional phrase (with the preposition «σε»).
- In the sentences 6 and 7 «πριν» is also adverbially used and meant in this case before or earlier
- «πριν πήγα στον κινηματογράφο» in sentence 6 is an adverbial in which «πριν» indicates a point in time.
- The same occurs in sentence 7, with the difference that the sentence consists of two adverbials, viz «χθες» and «όλη μέρα εκεί πριν πήγε στον κινηματογράφο».
Normally a sentence has a subject, a verb, a direct object and a complement. This is not the case with an adverbial. The main function of adverbials is to modify verbs and whole sentences. However they may also modify nouns, adjectives, quantifiers and numerals. They may function as an important element in a sentence, that could theoretically indefinitely be extended by simply adding adverbials, but more than five per sentence might be unusual. Adverbials more often than not consist of two or more words in a sentence. They give information about concepts such as place, movement, result, time, attitude, reason, etc.
Another few examples, indicating adverbials (also one-word) of place, time (point in time and frequency) and manner:
ελληνικά | αγγλικά |
---|---|
1. Θα το κάνει μέτα. | He will do it later. |
2. Πέθανε πριν από ένα χρόνο. | He/she died a year ago. |
3.Το έκανε μετά ένα μήνα. | He/she did it in a month's time. |
4. Αν με άκουγες, τώρα δε θα υπέφερες. | If you had listened to me, you would not suffer now. |
5. Έχω πιει κιόλας τρία ποτήρια κρασιού. | I have already drunk three glasses of wine. |
6. Χρειαζόμουν τρεις φορές περισσότερο χρόνο. | I needed three times more time. |
7. Ασκώ πολύ τακτικά και τρώω αρκετά υγιεινά.. | I exercise very regularly and I eat quite healthily. |
8. Συνήθως δεν είναι τόσο ηλίθιος. | Usually he's not that stupid. |
9. Διάβασα δέκα σελίδες, μέχρι τώρα. | I have read ten pages so far. |
10. Έχω διαβάσει σχεδόν όλα τα βιβλία. | I have read almost all the books. |
11. Δεν έχει καμιά απολύτως γούστο. | He has absolutely no taste. |
12. Όχι, δεν είμαι καθόλου καλά. | No, I am not well at all. |
13.Είμαι σε κακά χάλια. | I'm in bad shape. |
14. Έτσι κι αλλιώς το ίδιο κάνει. | That is the same anyway. |
15. Το βρήκα εξαιρετικά δύσκολο να σε συναντήσω εκεί την Παρασκευή το απόγευμα. | I found it extremely difficult to meet you there on Friday afternoon. |
- The adverbs in the sentences 1, 2, 3 and 4 are indicating a point in time. It's already known that «πριν» and «μετά» are used adverbally. In that case they mean before and later. But when they are used for a temporal distance, an «από»-phrase may be followed (1, 2 en 3). In sentence 4 the adverb «τώρα» indicates also a point in time. The adverb «κιόλας» indicates a point in time, because at the time of speaking I had drunk three glasses.
- «(τρεις) φορές», «τακτικά» and «συνήθως» (6, 7 + 8) are adverbs, enouncing a frequency in time en «αρκετά υγιεινά» is an adverbial of manner
- «μέχρι τώρα» in sentence 9 is an adverbial with the preposition «μέχρι», indicating a point in time
- «σχεδόν» is an adverb of quantity and in sentence 10 the adverbial
- «απολύτως», a single word adverb is in sentence 11 an adverbial of two adverbs.
- «καθόλου καλά» is an adverbial of two adverbs.
- «σε κακά χάλια» in sentence 13 is an adverbial of a prepositional clause.
- «έτσι κι αλλιώς» is an adverbial, with two adverbs of manner.
- In sentence 15 are three adverbials viz.: «εξαιρετικά δύσκολο», an advberbial with an adjective, «εκεί» an advberbial of place and «την Παρασκευή το απόγευμα» an adverbial with a point in time.
Secondary sentences with an adverbial meaning are often used, when stating:
stating: time | Θα φύγω, όταν θα έρθεις. | I'll leave, when you arrive. |
stating: intention, cause | Σε περιμένω, για να φύγω. | I am waiting for you (before) I leave. |
stating: hypothesis, case | Θα φύγω, αν έρθεις κι εσύ. | I'll leave, if you come too. |
stating: cause, reason | Δεν έφυγα, επειδή ήρθες. | I did not leave, because you came. |
stting: result | Μιλάει τόσο σιγά, ώστε δεν τον ακούει κανείς. | He speaks so slowly, that no one hears him. |
stating: opposition | Θα φύγω αν και μόλις ήρθα. | I'll leave though I just came. |
- Many adverbs are followed by prepositions:
ανάλογα με | according to |
ανεξάρτητα από | independently of |
αριστερά από | to the left of |
δεξιά από | to the right of |
ενάντια σε | against |
όσο για | as for |
πριν από | before |
σύμφωνα με | according to |
σχετικά με | in relation to |
ύστερα από | after |
- Some adverbs are followed by a weak personal pronoun in the genitive:
ανάμεσά τους | between/among them |
απέναντί μας | opposite us |
γύρω της | around her |
δίπλα του | next to you |
κοντά σου | near you |
μαζί σου | with you |
μακριά του | far away from him |
μέσα μας | inside us |
μπροστά μου | in front of me |
πάνω του | on him/it |
πίσω σας | behind you |
πλάι του | beside him |
Above constructions may be preceded by «από», such as in «από γύρω της» - from around her and they may be followed by «από» and «σε». Here are the same adverbs, inclusive «έξω» and «κάτω», followed by the correct prepositions:
ανάμεσά (σε) | between, among |
απέναντί (σε)+(από) | opposite |
γύρω (σε)+(από) | around |
δίπλα (σε) | next tο |
έξω (από) | outside |
κάτω (από) | under, below |
κοντά (σε) | near |
μαζί (με) | (together) with |
μακριά (από) | far from, away from |
μέσα (σε) or (από) | inside or from inside |
μπροστά (σε)+(από) | in front of |
πάνω (σε) or (από) | on (top of) or above |
πίσω (από) | behind |
πλάι (σε) | beside |
- However, if these constructions are used with a noun or emphasized pronoun, these last two must be placed in the preposition phrase or clause, expressed with «από» and «σε».
Some examles:
γύρω από τη φωτιά | round the fire |
δίπλα σ'εσένα * | next to you (and not next to somebody else) |
μαζί με τους άλλους | together with the others |
μπροστά στο σπίτι | in front of the house |
μέσα στην εκκλησία | inside the church |
μπροστά σ'αυτούς * | in front of them (and not in front of somebody else) |
* These personal pronouns are emphasized and follow the preposition «σε»
Although the adverb is usually placed before the preposition, it may also optionally be placed behind:
- στην εκκλησία μέσα
- στο τραπέζι πάνω
but also:
- στο σπίτι από μπροστά
- στο τραπέζι από πάνω
- Some adverbs are followed by a weak personal pronoun in the genitive:
- Often nouns are used in sentences with an adverbial meaning:
πηγαίνω σχολείο | I go to school |
πάω σπίτι | I go home |
τον πήρε αγκαλιά | She took him in the arms |
έφυγε τρεχάλα | he/she went away running |
πάω περίπατο | I am going to walk |
- Some various expressions are used as adverbs when stating time:
κάθε μέρα | every day |
μέρα με τη μέρα | day by/after day |
τις προάλλες | the other day |
από δω και μπρος | from now on |
από τότε και ύστερα | from then on |
εδώ και τόσα χρόνια | for so many years |
από δω και πέρα | from now on |
- Some various expressions are used as adverbs when stating manner:
μια για πάντα | once and for all |
μια χαρά | very well |
μια και καλή | once and for all |
στο βρόντο | in vain |
στα τυφλά | in the dark |
στα πεταχτά | hastily, hurriedly |
στα χαμένα | to be wasted/dashed |
στα γεμάτα | full |
κατά τύχη | by chance |
κατά σύμπτωση | by coincidence |
για καλή μας τύχη | for our good luck |
όπως και να 'ναι | whatever it is |
παρά λίγο να | nearly |
Use the following link for an explanation on analysing and parsing.