Adverbial Phrases KS2
What are adverbial phrases?
An adverbial phrase is a group of words that act as an adverb. They modify the main clause of a sentence. Adverbial phrases help to add more information to a sentence and thus help the reader better understand something.
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See exactly how to introduce adverbial phrases, explore different types of adverbial phrase and give children opportunities to apply their understanding in engaging writing activities.
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Perfect for KS2 teachers looking to help children identify, understand and use adverbial phrases confidently in their writing.
Here are some examples of how adverbial phrases can be used to improve a base sentence:
BASE SENTENCE: I ate my breakfast (without an adverbial phrase)
I ate my breakfast very quickly. (with an adverbial phrase of manner)
I ate my breakfast before I had a shower. (with an adverbial phrase of time)
I ate my breakfast in the kitchen. (with an adverbial phrase of place)
What are fronted adverbials?
Adverbial phrases are clever little things because they can actually move around in a sentence. When they are positioned at the start (or 'front') of a sentence, they are called fronted adverbials.
Let's take those examples we just looked at and notice how they can easily become fronted adverbials:
Very quickly, I ate my breakfast.
Before I had a shower, I ate my breakfast.
In the kitchen, I ate my breakfast.
Did you notice what happens when we place the adverbial at the start of the sentence? You may have noticed that a comma is used to separate the fronted adverbial from the main clause. Commas are normally used after fronted adverbials, although this is not always the case.
Types of adverbial phrases
Adverbial phrases can serve a range of different functions, some of which we will now explore.
1. Adverbial Phrases of Manner
These are adverbial phrases that tell the reader how something was done.
Example: Tommy spoke about the school trip with enthusiasm.
In the example above, the adverbial phrase tells us how Tommy spoke about his school trip.
2. Adverbial Phrases of Time
These adverbial phrases tell the reader when something was done.
Example: The footballers celebrated after their victory.
In the example above, the adverbial phrase tells us when the footballers celebrated.
3. Adverbial Phrases of Place
These adverbial phrases tell the reader where something was done.
Example: I mixed the paint in the garage.
In the example above, the adverbial phrase tells the reader where I mixed the paint.
4. Adverbial Phrases of Purpose
These adverbial phrases tell the reader why something was done.
Example: Nina travelled to the station to pick up her parents.
In the example above, the adverbial phrase tells the reader the purpose of Nina's visit to the station.
What formats of adverbial phrases are there?
There are three common formats of adverbial phrase:
1. Prepositional Phrase
These are headed by a preposition (e.g. in, on, near, by, with).
Example: He is doing his homework in his bedroom.
2. Infinitive Phrase
These are headed by an infinitive verb (e.g. to play, to jump).
Example: Fill in this form to go on the trip.
3. An Adverb with an Intensifier
Example: She rode her bike very confidently.
What is an adverbial clause?
An adverbial clause is a group of words that together function as an adverb. Adverbial clauses are always dependent clauses, which means that they cannot stand alone as an independent sentence.
They are different from adverbial phrases because they always contain a subject and a verb. Adverbial phrases do not.
Examples of adverbial clauses:
- Michael eats his dinner faster than everyone else eats.
- We thought, because the train has been so predictable lately, that the next one would come at 5:20.
When are children taught about adverbial phrases?
Children are taught about adverbial phrases in KS2. Here is what the National Curriculum states about adverbial phrases in KS2:
- Lower KS2: Children should be taught to use adverbs and prepositions to express time and cause.
- Lower KS2: Children should be taught to use fronted adverbials.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adverbial Phrases KS2
What is an adverbial phrase?
An adverbial phrase is a group of words that acts like an adverb. It gives extra information about a verb, adjective or whole clause by explaining how, when, where or why something happens.
For example, in the sentence "The children worked with great concentration", the phrase with great concentration is an adverbial phrase because it tells us how the children worked.
What are some examples of adverbial phrases?
Adverbial phrases can describe time, place, manner or purpose. Examples include:
- before breakfast (time)
- in the playground (place)
- with great enthusiasm (manner)
- to help her friend (purpose)
These phrases add detail to sentences and help make writing more interesting for the reader.
What is the difference between an adverb and an adverbial phrase?
An adverb is usually a single word, such as quickly, carefully or yesterday.
An adverbial phrase is a group of words that performs the same job as an adverb. For example:
- quickly (adverb)
- with great speed (adverbial phrase)
Both examples tell us how an action happened.
Are fronted adverbials adverbial phrases?
Many fronted adverbials are adverbial phrases, but not all adverbial phrases are fronted. A fronted adverbial is simply an adverbial placed at the beginning of a sentence.
For example:
Before school, the children practised their spellings.
In this sentence, before school is an adverbial phrase that has been moved to the front of the sentence, making it a fronted adverbial.
What are the different types of adverbial phrase?
Adverbial phrases can have different functions within a sentence. Common types include:
- Adverbial phrases of time – tell us when something happens
- Adverbial phrases of place – tell us where something happens
- Adverbial phrases of manner – tell us how something happens
- Adverbial phrases of purpose – tell us why something happens
Using a variety of adverbial phrases helps pupils create more detailed and engaging writing.
When are adverbial phrases taught in KS2?
Children begin learning about adverbials and adverbial phrases during KS2 as part of the English grammar curriculum. Pupils learn how adverbials can express time, place and cause, before progressing to the use of fronted adverbials and more varied sentence structures.
By upper KS2, children are expected to use adverbial phrases confidently to add detail, improve cohesion and vary their writing.
What is the difference between an adverbial phrase and an adverbial clause?
An adverbial phrase does not contain both a subject and a verb, whereas an adverbial clause does.
For example:
- in the garden – adverbial phrase
- because it was raining – adverbial clause
Both provide additional information, but adverbial clauses contain a verb and cannot usually stand alone as a complete sentence.
