Is Never an Adverb: 5+ Important Facts You Should Know

In this article we’re going to take a deeper look into the nature of one particular adverb and try to answer the question “Is Never and Adverb?”

An adverb is something that serves as a modifier or qualifier of another verb, noun, adjective, etc and “never” is one such adverb.

Why is never an adverb?

“Never” is an adverb because it adds extra information about the lack of a certain duration of a situation or action.

Example: I have never been to a concert before.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies the verb ‘been’.

How is never an adverb?

“Never” is and adverb by virtue of the fact that it serves a purpose of delivering time-based information.

Example: We never asked him to do any such thing.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies the verb ‘asked’.

When is never an adverb?

“Never” is in adverb in every context that it is used.

Example: He has never eaten chocolate since he is allergic to it.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies the verb ‘eaten’.

What type of an adverb is never?

“Never” is an adverb of time as it is used to showcase the lack of abstract frequency of certain actions or situations.

Example: They never spoke to us after the incident.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies the verb ‘spoke’.

Can never be an adjective?

“Never” cannot be an adjective. It only and only functions as an adverb.

Example: Now we welcome the never lazy and constantly motivated member of our team.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies the adjective ‘lazy’.

Is never always an adverb?

Yes, never is always an adverb.

Example: We never left our house yesterday.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies the verb ‘left’.

Examples of never as an adverb

1. She has never tried this sandwich before.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies the verb ‘tried’.

2. That respected family would never do something like that.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies the verb ‘do’.

3. The customers never even asked for a refund.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies another adverb ‘even’.

4. We never would have made it without your help.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies the verb ‘would’.

5. He never finished the task we asked him to.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies the verb ‘finished’.

6. This is a never bored man since he always knows how to have fun.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies the adjective ‘bored’.

7. She never happily accepts anything.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies another adverb ‘happily’.

8. I have never been on a roller coaster ride before.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies the verb ‘been’.

9. We must never speak of this again.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies the verb ‘speak’.

10. He would never go against his father’s wishes.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies the verb ‘go’.

11. I never got to the end of that book.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies the verb ‘got’.

12. She has never even heard of this film.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies another adverb ‘even’.

13. The child’s mother never allows him to eat ice-cream.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies the verb ‘allows’.

14. They never even gave us a proper answer.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies another adverb ‘even’.

15. He never ever finishes his tasks on time.

In the above given example, the word ‘never’ is quite obviously an adverb since that’s the only purpose it serves.
It gives us additional information about the particular situation at hand in the aforementioned sentence.
In this case, the particular adverb qualifies another adverb ‘ever’.

Conclusion

Thus, the answer to the question “Is Always and Adverb?” is a resounding and unmistakeable “Yes”.

Vriddhi Kapoor

Hi…..I’m a graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature. I wish to do a Masters in the same field someday and continue my career in Academia.
Let’s connect through LinkedIn: