状语(adverbial)是句子的重要修饰成分。状语是谓语里的另一个附加成分,它附加在谓语中心语的前面,从情况、时间、处所、方式、条件、对象、肯定、否定、范围和程度等方面对谓语中心进行修饰或限制。英语状语修饰动词、形容词、副词等的句子成分。
状语的功用:状语说明地点、时间、原因、目的、结果、条件、方向、程度、方式和伴随状况等。
状语一般由副词、介宾短语、分词和分词短语、名词、不定式或相当于副词的词或短语来担当。其位置一般放在句末,但也可放在句首或句中。
副词一般在句子中做状语
He speaks English very well. (他英语说得非常好。)
其中的very是程度副词,用来修饰well。very well是修饰speak的程度状语。
不定式在句子中可以作目的状语
I come specially to see you. (我专门来看你。)
介宾短语
The boy was praised for his bravery. (这个男孩因为他的勇敢而被夸奖。)
从句作状语
When she was 12 years old, she began to live in Dalian. (她12岁的那一年开始居住于大连。)
If I am not busy tomorrow, I will play football with you. (如果我明天不忙,我就会陪你踢足球。)
分词短语作状语
Having had a quarrel with his wife, he left home in a bad temper。(由于和妻子吵了一架,他愤怒的离开了家。)
名词作状语
We must get together again some day. (将来某天我们必能再相聚.)