In short, modifiers are not usually required by a clause's syntax; they are optional, and help clarify or limit the extent of the meaning of the word or phrase they modify.
I.4.2. Main functions of adverbs:
As it can be seen in many cases, an adverb basically functions as a modifier of a verb, an adjective, another adverb. However, adverbs are not restricted to the those three functions.
They can also act as modifiers of a preposition, a noun/ a noun phrase, a determiner, a numeral, a pronoun and a whole sentence. Furthermore, not all adverbs that modify adjectives will also modify adverbs. As such, not all adverbs occur with all the functions. We would like to analyze the modifying function of adverbs explicitly and separately as followed:
I.4.2.1. Modifier of verbs:
According to G. David Morley (2000; 40) ‚adverbs have been seen as performing a so- called modifying role in relation to verbs. This role is associated with circumstantial adverbs‛
[61] He came yesterday/ here.
[62] Residents must quickly and quietly exit the building during the fire drill.
Besides, many degree adverbs can be used with gradable verbs which refer to things that can happen more or less completely, fully, strongly, etc... as in: [63] I entirely agree.
However, certain degree adverbs generally go together with certain verbs. For example, we can say I fully understand and I firmly believe but not *I fully like and *I firmly think.
I.4.2.2. Modifier of adjectives:
The gradability of adjectives may be exploited and expressed by means of modifying adverbs. Most commonly, the modifying adverb is an intensifier, whether an emphasizer, conveying primarily emphasis and not scaling as really, actually, clearly, indeed, ...
[64] She is really kind to me.
or an amplifier, denoting a high degree as very, absolutely, in all respects, badly, deeply, well..
[65] She took a very small piece of the cake.
or a downtoner, suggesting an incomplete or low degree as quite, slightly, nearly...
[66] I quite enjoyed the film.
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I.4.2.3. Modifier of other adverbs:
Adverbs also operate in relation to other adverbs, where they indicate the degree of the adverbial circumstance. Adverbs modifying other adverbs can only be intensifiers.
[67] My use of adverbs is almost always perfect.
However, some intensifiers are restricted to a small set of lexical items, i.e. deeply (anxious), highly (intelligent), strikingly (handsome)...whereas many intensifiers can modify adjectives, adverbs, and verbs alike. Basically, they pre-modify gradable adjectives and adverbs to increase or decrease the meaning of the word modified. However, enough is an exception to this rule as in: [68] He spoke clearly enough.
I.4.2.4. Modifier of nouns/ noun phrases:
Adverbs are also found in many cases to modify the whole nominal and prepositional phrases by focusing on and heightening the entity/ relator/ processor concerned. They thus are
known as intensifying adverbs as:
[69] He is rather a nuisance.
[70] He ran just behind you.
The noun phrase is perhaps postmodified by an adjective or adverb in a number of phrases of measure as:
[71] John is ten years old.
[72] They stayed up all night long.
Some adverbs signifying place or time postmodify noun phrases take on what might be thought of as the ‘adjectival role’ within the nominal phrase:
Place: the way ahead, the direction back, the hall downstairs, that man there, his return home...
Time: the meeting yesterday, the meal afterwards, the day before, ...
However, in some of the phrases, the adverbs can also be used as a premodifier within the noun phrases e.g.: the downstairs hall, his home journey, the above photo...
I.4.2.5. Modifier of particles, prepositions and prepositional phrases:
The few intensifying adverbs that can premodify particles in phrasal verbs can also premodify prepositions or (perhaps rather) prepositional phrases. It is called the adverbial function:
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[74] It's immediately inside the door.
I.4.2.6. Modifier of (pre)determiners, cardinal numerals, indefinite pronouns/ quantifiers:
Intensifying adverbs (including downtoners) can be used in this way.
[75] Nearly everybody came to our part.
With the ordinals and superlatives, a definite determiner is obligatory for premodification.
[76] We counted approximately the first thousand votes.
Some intensifiers such as too, so, very, rather,...can be used to modify such indefinite quantifiers as much, many, little and few.
[77] We’ve got very little time left.
[78] His firm does quite a lot of business in Egypt.
I.4.2.7. Modifier of sentences:
Lastly, adverbs can modify the whole sentence, though the concept of modification here needs to be interpreted in an increasingly liberal way. Indeed, the relationship is no longer one of modification at all but rather one of interrelationship with the rest of the clause.