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Thread: Can Adverb modify noun?

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    Anonymous Guest

    Default Can Adverb modify noun?

    Some teachers said that Adverb can modify noun?

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    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Normally, adjectives modify nouns, but there are occasional examples where they modify nouns and pronouns.
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    Default Re: Can Adverb modify noun?

    Quote Originally Posted by rath bun
    Some teachers said that Adverb can modify noun?
    Gerunds, also called verbal nouns, can be modified by adverbs, like this,

    Eating quickly will give you indigestion.

    All the best,
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    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    God point.

    But they can also be modified by adjectives- Heavy smoking causes cancer.
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    Quote Originally Posted by tdol
    God point.

    But they can also be modified by adjectives- Heavy smoking causes cancer.
    verbal noun is a keeper then. :D

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    Andy Guest

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    "Very" is usually classified as an adverb, but it can modify nouns in expressions such as, "the very beginning, middle or end." I think it becomes an adjective here, though.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Andy
    "Very" is usually classified as an adverb, but it can modify nouns in expressions such as, "the very beginning, middle or end." I think it becomes an adjective here, though.
    Yes. "Very" is an adjective there. It is unusual to have an adverb modify a noun. It is possible with a gerund, because it keeps many of its verb characteristics. It is also possibly with nouns that are formed from adjectives.
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    japanjapan is offline Member
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    Default Re: Can Adverb modify noun?

    Quote Originally Posted by rath bun
    Some teachers said that Adverb can modify noun?
    I happen to know this question, let me try.

    Adverb can modify noun, but it has to be put behind the noun.

    The typical example is this :

    Look at the people there, they are laughing.

    the word "there" is an adverb, it modifies "people", but it has to be put behind "people".

    That's my opinion.

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    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Some would argue that it is an adjective in your example. Have a look at the adjective part in the Dictionary.com definition:
    http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=there

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    Default Re: Can Adverb modify noun?

    Quote Originally Posted by japanjapan
    Quote Originally Posted by rath bun
    Some teachers said that Adverb can modify noun?
    I happen to know this question, let me try.

    Adverb can modify noun, but it has to be put behind the noun.

    The typical example is this :

    Look at the people there, they are laughing.

    the word "there" is an adverb, it modifies "people", but it has to be put behind "people".

    That's my opinion.
    Good memory! :D

    Look at the people (who are standing over) there.

    In this case, there answers the question "Where?" so its function is that of an adverb. It's also part of an omitted relative clause which modifies the noun people. In other words, it's an adverb that's part of an adjectival phrase.

    All the best,

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