267. In Lesson X it was shown that an adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Select the adverbs in the following sentences, and tell what words they modify:—

We proceeded through a tract of country excessively wild and desolate.

People with lanterns rushed hither and thither.

John knew that he could spend a day very pleasantly in going over to that pasture.

All the adverbs in these sentences are called simple adverbs because they have but one office in the sentence,—they merely modify the word they go with.

268. In the sentence, “Perhaps my pony can carry the load,” the word perhaps tells nothing whatever about the action of carrying, but rather serves to make the whole statement doubtful. Such a word is said to modify the whole sentence. Some other adverbs used in this way are certainly, indeed, fortunately, and not.

The common use of the adverb not is to change an affirmative statement to a negative statement, as in the sentence, “I will not wear my heart upon my sleeve.”

269. The simple adverbs, when, where, why, how, whence, whither, are used in asking questions; as, “When shall we be stronger?” “Why do you answer me so?” Such adverbs modify the whole predicate. They are called interrogative adverbs.

Note.—The is sometimes used as an adverb before comparatives; as, “The more you have, the more you want.”

270. When the meaning permits, adverbs may be compared in the same manner as adjectives; as, fast, faster, fastest; pleasantly, more pleasantly, most pleasantly; fortunately, less fortunately, least fortunately.

Summary.—A simple adverb is one that merely modifies the word or the group of words that it goes with.

Some simple adverbs, like not, perhaps, certainly, modify the whole sentence.

An interrogative adverb is a simple adverb that is used in asking a question.

Some adverbs may be compared.

Exercise.—Select all the simple adverbs in the following sentences, and tell what each modifies. In so far as you can, tell what each adverb denotes. (See Lesson X.)

1. How the huge breakers foam and fret!

2. People living by the sea are always more or less superstitious.

3. No one can work well without sleep.

4. Whence came that blessed mother love, so strong, so dauntless, so pure, and whither has it fled?

5. Where had the stone been before? Why did it come there? When would it go away?

6. Heaven is not reached at a single bound.

7. Luckily, poor Pepper was not seriously hurt.

8. Meanwhile Mrs. Peterkin was getting quite impatient for her coffee.

9. How do you like to go up in a swing, up in the air so blue?

10. Why should one hurry when days are long and calm and sweet?

11. You may lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink.

12. Presently a huge black bear poked his nose out of the bushes, and sniffed inquiringly.

13. How quickly we learn to claim as our own that in which we delight!