Using Italian Adverbs

As in English, Italian adverbs are invariable parts of speech that modify the meaning of a verb, an adjective, a noun or another adverb.

What is different from English, however, is where Italian adverbs are used in sentences. Following is a list of rules for their usage.

1. An adverb which modifies a verb is generally placed after the verb in the sentence.
   
   

   Ragazzi, siete molto stanchi o volete rimanere qui? Are you guys very tired, or do you want to stay here? Ho imparato bene l’italiano mentre studiavo a Palermo. I learned Italian well while I was studying in Palermo. Vado regolarmente a trovare il mio amico Sandro. I go to see my friend Sandro regularly. La bambina mangiava velocemente. The little girl was eating quickly. La vedo raramente. I rarely see her. Oggi compriamo solo frutta e verdura. Today we buy only fruits and vegetables.

   
   NB: For emphasis and depending on the context, adverbs may, at times, be used elsewhere in the sentence.
   
   
2. When verbs are in a compound tense (passato prossimo, for example), the adverb may be placed between the auxiliary verb and the participle.
   
   

   Avete già fatto la spesa? Have you already done the grocery shopping? Clara non ha mai mangiato il guacamole. Clara has never eaten guacamole. Aveva sempre avuto una scarsa autostima. He had always had low self-esteem.

   
   
3. When an adverb modifies an adjective, it precedes it.
   
   

   Mio fratello ha conosciuto una ragazza molto simpatica. My brother met a very nice girl. Paolo frequenta una scuola estremamente prestigiosa. Paolo attends a highly prestigious school.

   
   NB: Some words function as both adjectives and adverbs (e. g. molto, tanto, poco, troppo). As adjectives modifying nouns, these words must agree in gender and number with the noun. As adverbs, however, they are always invariable and end in -o.
   
   

   Adjective: Ci vuole molta pazienza nella vita. You need a lot of patience in life. Adverb: Sembra molto scontenta. She seems very unhappy.

   
   
4. In some cases, the placement of the adverb in the sentence can drastically change the meaning of the sentence. Observe the following examples:
   
   

   Solo Andrea è venuto alla festa con Domenico. Only Andrea came to the party with Domenico. Andrea è solo venuto alla festa con Domenico. Andrea only came to the party with Domenico. Andrea è venuto alla festa solo con Domenico. Andrea came to the party only with Domenico. Andrea è venuto solo alla festa. (adjective) Andrea came alone to the party.