Adverbial/ædˈvɜːrbiəl/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Varied Functions Adverbials can specify 'how', 'when', 'where' and 'why' something happens. She arrived early for the meeting. Pro Tip 2/3Flexible Positioning Adverbials can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence for emphasis. Surprisingly, he passed the test. Pro Tip 3/3Clauses and Phrases An adverbial can be a single word, a phrase, or a whole clause. To meet her quota, she worked through the night.