OF ADVERBS.

The Adverb, as the word imports, signifies something placed near, or joined to a verb; and is applied for the purpose of qualifying or in a measure restraining the latitude of its signification, as, he walks slowly, he reads distinctly. However it is not confined to the verb, but is applied to other parts of speech, and answers the same important end.

It is joined to an adnoun, as, a truly virtuous woman, a very excellent character, a conduct highly blamable; to a participle, as, never regarding, wilfully neglecting; or to another adverb, as, very abruptly, more diligently, most accurately.

Most of the adverbs are formed by the addition of ly to the adnoun, as, privately from private, seriously from serious. Adnouns in ble form the adverb by changing e into y, as able, ably, charitable, charitably. The adverb conveys the same idea as the noun with a preposition before it, as, cautiously, that is, with caution, prudently, with prudence, or in a prudent manner.

It admits of the degrees of comparison, but generally by the aid of more and most, as, more properly, most courageously.

The adnoun is sometimes used in place of the adverb, and with how much propriety may be seen, 2 Tim. ii. 19. where sure is put for surely; and steady for steadily, in the marginal reading.

In its general application the adverb adds greatly to the beauty and brevity of language,

and at the same time, increases the variety of expression.

Having given a concise account of Grammar, as it regards the parts of speech, and pointed out the dependence and government of all the words in a sentence; it remains only to shew how the four leading parts of speech, explained in the Dictionary, are dependent upon one another, and what alterations they undergo in the derivations; which may be seen in the FOLLOWING table, where some words from the Old Testament are put within parentheses, and a few in italics are added, which are not used in the Scriptures: