When action is expressed, an adverb is usually added to define the action in some way,—­time, place, or manner:  as, “He began already to be proud of being a Rugby boy [time];” “One of the young heroes scrambled up behind [place];” “He was absolute, but wisely and bravely ruling [manner].”

[Sidenote:  An adjective or an adverb.]

But this does not mean that adverbs modify verbs only:  many of them express degree, and limit adjectives or adverbs; as, “William’s private life was severely pure;” “Principles of English law are put down a little confusedly.”

[Sidenote:  Sometimes a noun or pronoun.]

Sometimes an adverb may modify a noun or pronoun; for example,—­

     The young man reveres men of genius, because, to speak truly,
     they are more himself than he is.—­EMERSON.

     Is it only poets, and men of leisure and cultivation, who live
     with nature?—­Id.

     To the almost terror of the persons present, Macaulay began
     with the senior wrangler of 1801-2-3-4, and so on.—­THACKERAY.

     Nor was it altogether nothing.—­CARLYLE.

     Sounds overflow the listener’s brain So sweet that joy is
     almost pain.—­SHELLEY.

     The condition of Kate is exactly that of Coleridge’s “Ancient
     Mariner.”—­DE QUINCEY.

     He was incidentally news dealer.—­T.B.  ALDRICH.

NOTE.—­These last differ from the words in Sec. 169, being adverbs naturally and fitly, while those in Sec. 169 are felt to be elliptical, and rather forced into the service of adjectives.

Also these adverbs modifying nouns are to be distinguished from those standing after a noun by ellipsis, but really modifying, not the noun, but some verb understood; thus,—­

     The gentle winds and waters [that are] near, Make music to the
     lonely ear.—­BYRON.

     With bowering leaves [that grow] o’erhead, to which the eye
     Looked up half sweetly, and half awfully.—­LEIGH HUNT.

[Sidenote:  A phrase.]

An adverb may modify a phrase which is equivalent to an adjective or an adverb, as shown in the sentences,—­

     They had begun to make their effort much at the same
     time.—­TROLLOPE.

I draw forth the fruit, all wet and glossy, maybe nibbled by rabbits and hollowed out by crickets, and perhaps with a leaf or two cemented to it, but still with a rich bloom to it.—­THOREAU.

[Sidenote:  A clause or sentence.]

It may also modify a sentence, emphasizing or qualifying the statement expressed; as, for example,—­

     And certainly no one ever entered upon office with so few
     resources of power in the past.—­LOWELL.