Adjuncts

What Are Adjuncts? (with Examples)

An adjunct is a word or words (i.e., a phrase or a clause) which can be removed without making the sentence grammatically wrong.

An adjunct is usually an adverb used to modify a verb. When used as an adverb, an adjunct will usually indicate a time, a manner, a place, a frequency, a reason, or a degree. For example:

Time Adjuncts (Adverbs of Time)

Here are some examples of time adjuncts:

The alarm went off again yesterday.
In the morning, he will veto the bill.

Manner Adjuncts (Adverbs of Manner)

Here are some examples of manner adjuncts:

Present your case carefully.
Simon drinks his pints like a demon.

Place Adjuncts (Adverbs of Place)

Here are some examples of place adjuncts:

Here the situation is completely different.
She buries all her toys wherever Ollie buries his.

Frequency Adjuncts (Adverbs of Frequency)

Here are some examples of frequency adjuncts:

She comes here often.
Every Tuesday, the shop opens at eight o'clock.

Reason Adjuncts (Adverbs of Reason)

Here are some examples of reason adjuncts:

As it's Friday, you can stay up another hour.
Expect the tent to leak because it's been in my garage for 30 years.

Degree Adjuncts (Adverbs of Degree)

Here are some examples of degree adjuncts:

You're not as poor as you could have been.
She is as smart as she is brilliant.

PLACING YOUR ADJUNCT

Place your adjunct next to whatever it is modifying to avoid ambiguity. Look at this example:

Cycling uphill quickly strengthens your calf muscles.

Does quickly modify Cycling uphill or strengthens?

This is called a squinting modifier. This is a better version:

Cycling uphill strengthens your calf muscles quickly.

USE A COMMA WHEN IT'S AT THE FRONT

Adjuncts cause few problems for native English speakers. The main grammar point is whether to use a comma.

When an adjunct is at the front of a sentence (especially when it's made up of more than one word), it is usual to use a comma.

A mouse ran across the floor while you were on the phone.

While you were on the phone, a mouse ran across the floor.

It is a better standard of living in the north of Scotland.

In the north of Scotland, it is a better standard of living.

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