Definition & Meaning of "adverbial phrase"

What is an "adverbial phrase"?

An adverbial phrase is a group of words that functions as an adverb in a sentence, providing additional information about a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. This phrase often answers questions such as how, when, where, why, or to what extent an action is performed. For example, in the sentence "She sings beautifully in the garden," the adverbial phrase "in the garden" describes where she sings, while "beautifully" modifies how she sings. Adverbial phrases can be made up of prepositional phrases, such as "after dinner," or can include adverbs and their modifiers, like "very quickly." Understanding adverbial phrases is important for adding detail and clarity to sentences, enhancing the overall meaning and context.