英语中,修饰动词、形容词、副词等的句子成分叫状语（adverbial).
状语的功用：状语说明地点、时间、原因、目的、结果、条件、方向、程度、方式和伴随状况等.
状语一般由副词、介词短语、分词和分词短语、不定式或相当于副词的词或短语来担当.其位置一般放在句末,但也可放在句首或句中.
副词是一种用来修饰动词,形容词,副词或全句的词,说明时间,地点,程度,方式等概念.
1.副词一般在句子中做状语．
He speaks English very well.
He is playing under the tree.中的under the tree
2.不定式在句子中可以作目的状语.
I come specially to see you.
3.介词短语
My parents often tell us about their bitter life in the past.
Ten years ago,She began to live in Dalian.
The boy was praised for his bravery.
4.从句作状语
When she was 12 years old,she began to live in Dalian.
If I am not busy tomorrow,I will play football with you.
5.分词作状语
Having had a quarrel with his wife,he left home in a bad temper.
Inhibited in one direction,it now seems that the Mississippi is about to take another.