Adverbs are invariable words, meaning that they do not take masculine/feminine or singular/plural forms, which modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Their main function is to complement the verb as part of an adverbial phrase/clause; complement, quantify, or modify an adjective; or quantify another adverb. Often an adverb answers questions such as “how?”, “where?”, “when?”, and can be classified into different categories such as time, place, manner, quantity, and others depending on the function they express in the sentence.
In this sentence, ‘demasiado’ quantifies another adverb ‘tarde’, and ‘demasiado tarde’ complements the verb ‘llegar’, specifying time.
In this sentence, ‘aquí’ complements the verb ‘estar’, specifying a location.
| Llegas demasiado tarde. La película ya ha comenzado. You are too late. The movie has already started. |
In this sentence, ‘demasiado’ quantifies another adverb ‘tarde’, and ‘demasiado tarde’ complements the verb ‘llegar’, specifying time.
| Aquí está la oficina donde trabaja Sandra. Here is the office where Sandra works. |
In this sentence, ‘aquí’ complements the verb ‘estar’, specifying a location.