When learning a new language, one of the key areas to master is the use of adverbs. Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, providing more information about how, when, where, or to what extent something happens. In English, the word “plus” is often used as a conjunction or preposition, but it can also be paired with adverbs to convey additional meaning. Understanding how to use “plus” with adverbs can enhance your language skills and make your speech or writing more nuanced and expressive.
Understanding “Plus” in English
Before diving into how “plus” can be used with adverbs, it’s important to understand the different roles that “plus” can play in English. Traditionally, “plus” is used to indicate addition, whether in mathematics (“2 plus 2 equals 4”) or in everyday language to add items or features (“This phone is affordable plus it has a great camera”).
However, “plus” can also be used as a coordinating conjunction, similar to “and,” to connect ideas or elements. For instance, “She is smart plus hardworking,” means she possesses both qualities.
When “plus” is used with adverbs, it typically serves to intensify or add emphasis, similar to the use of “more” or “even more.” This usage is less formal but quite common in conversational English.
Using “Plus” with Adverbs of Manner
Adverbs of manner describe how an action is performed. Examples include “quickly,” “slowly,” “carefully,” “happily,” and “badly.” When “plus” is used with these adverbs, it often emphasizes the degree or quality of the action.
For example:
– “She danced gracefully plus elegantly.”
– “He worked quickly plus efficiently.”
In these sentences, “plus” is used to add another layer of description, enhancing the listener’s understanding of how the action is performed. It suggests that not only was the action done in a certain manner, but it was also done with an additional, complementary quality.
Examples in Sentences
1. “The chef cooked the meal perfectly plus deliciously.”
2. “The artist painted skillfully plus meticulously.”
3. “The students completed their projects quickly plus accurately.”
In each of these examples, “plus” serves to add another layer of meaning, providing a richer description of the action.
Using “Plus” with Adverbs of Time
Adverbs of time indicate when an action occurs. Examples include “yesterday,” “today,” “soon,” “later,” and “immediately.” When “plus” is combined with these adverbs, it can emphasize the immediacy or urgency of an action.
For example:
– “We need to leave now plus immediately.”
– “She will arrive soon plus promptly.”
In these sentences, the use of “plus” underscores the urgency or promptness of the action, giving it a sense of importance or immediacy.
Examples in Sentences
1. “The meeting will start soon plus promptly.”
2. “He needs to finish his homework now plus immediately.”
3. “The package will be delivered tomorrow plus early.”
In each of these examples, “plus” adds an extra layer of urgency or promptness to the action described by the adverb of time.
Using “Plus” with Adverbs of Place
Adverbs of place describe where an action occurs. Examples include “here,” “there,” “everywhere,” “inside,” “outside,” and “nearby.” When “plus” is used with these adverbs, it can provide additional spatial context or emphasize the location.
For example:
– “She looked everywhere plus inside the house.”
– “They traveled nearby plus to the city.”
In these sentences, “plus” helps to give a more complete picture of the location, adding another dimension to the description.
Examples in Sentences
1. “The cat is hiding somewhere plus under the bed.”
2. “We will meet here plus outside the café.”
3. “They searched everywhere plus in the garden.”
In each of these examples, “plus” adds additional spatial context, helping the listener to better understand the location of the action.
Using “Plus” with Adverbs of Frequency
Adverbs of frequency describe how often an action occurs. Examples include “always,” “never,” “often,” “rarely,” and “sometimes.” When “plus” is used with these adverbs, it can emphasize the regularity or rarity of an action.
For example:
– “She always plus consistently arrives on time.”
– “He never plus rarely misses a deadline.”
In these sentences, “plus” serves to reinforce the frequency of the action, making it clear how often the action occurs.
Examples in Sentences
1. “They often plus frequently go for a walk in the park.”
2. “She rarely plus almost never eats fast food.”
3. “He sometimes plus occasionally visits his grandparents.”
In each of these examples, “plus” adds emphasis to the frequency of the action, helping to convey a clearer picture of how often the action occurs.
Using “Plus” with Adverbs of Degree
Adverbs of degree describe the intensity or extent of an action or quality. Examples include “very,” “quite,” “too,” “enough,” and “almost.” When “plus” is used with these adverbs, it can emphasize the intensity or degree of the action or quality.
For example:
– “The soup is very plus extremely hot.”
– “He is quite plus exceptionally talented.”
In these sentences, “plus” serves to intensify the degree of the action or quality, making it clear just how intense or strong it is.
Examples in Sentences
1. “The weather is very plus unusually cold today.”
2. “She is quite plus exceptionally intelligent.”
3. “The movie was almost plus nearly over when we arrived.”
In each of these examples, “plus” adds emphasis to the degree of the action or quality, helping to convey a clearer picture of its intensity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While using “plus” with adverbs can enhance your language skills, it’s important to be aware of common mistakes that learners often make. Here are a few to watch out for:
Overuse of “Plus”
Using “plus” too frequently can make your speech or writing sound repetitive or unnatural. It’s important to use it judiciously, ensuring that it adds value to your sentence rather than cluttering it.
Incorrect Pairing of Adverbs
Not all adverbs work well together. It’s important to choose adverbs that complement each other and enhance the overall meaning of the sentence. For example, “She sings beautifully plus loudly” might not convey the intended meaning as effectively as “She sings beautifully plus melodiously.”
Confusing Formal and Informal Contexts
Using “plus” with adverbs is more common in informal speech and writing. In formal contexts, it’s often better to use more traditional forms of emphasis, such as “and” or “as well as.” For example, “He writes clearly and concisely” might be more appropriate in a formal essay than “He writes clearly plus concisely.”
Practice Exercises
To help solidify your understanding of using “plus” with adverbs, here are some practice exercises. Try to combine the given adverbs using “plus” to create sentences that are both clear and expressive.
1. Carefully, accurately
2. Promptly, immediately
3. Everywhere, inside
4. Frequently, often
5. Very, exceptionally
Example Answers
1. “She completed the task carefully plus accurately.”
2. “The doctor responded to the emergency promptly plus immediately.”
3. “They searched for the missing keys everywhere plus inside the house.”
4. “He visits his family frequently plus often.”
5. “The performance was very plus exceptionally impressive.”
Conclusion
Mastering the use of “plus” with adverbs can greatly enhance your language skills, allowing you to express yourself more clearly and effectively. By understanding the different types of adverbs and how “plus” can be used to add emphasis or additional meaning, you can create more nuanced and expressive sentences. Remember to use “plus” judiciously, choose complementary adverbs, and be mindful of the context in which you are speaking or writing. With practice, you’ll find that using “plus” with adverbs becomes a natural and valuable part of your language repertoire.
