He sank down in his chair, resting his chin in his hand. (Dreiser). -
§456. Qualitative and quantitative adverbial complements are more closely connected with their headwords than circumstantial complements. As shown by A. I. Smirnitsky l, the latter describe the circumstances of the event as a whole.
Thus in the sentence Becoming wearied, she yawned and came to the window. (Dreiser) "becoming wearied" is the reason of the subsequent events.
But there is a group of circumstantial adverbials most closely connected with their head-words. They are the so-called adverbials of indefinite time and frequency, never, ever, always' often, seldom, sometimes, etc.
A. I. Smirnitsky 2 thinks that the close connection of these words with the verb is due to their semantics of 'general time relations' akin to the general time relations of the verb.
§ 457. As follows from the string of examples given above, in simple sentences adverbial complements are usually adverbs, nouns (mostly with prepositions), verbids and verbid complexes.
Adverbials may also be nouns preceded by conjunctions actually functioning as prepositions.
When a child, he was well looked after.
*
Conjunctions may also precede participles functioning as adverbials.
While working, he never stopped to rest.
§ 458. Comparing English adverbials with those in Russian one can see that despite some common features (meaning, types), they are in a number of points different.
1) In Modern English there exist complex adverbial com
plements not found in Russian.
E. g. Then he looked for something to eat, and finally, his hunger gone, sat down in his comfortable rocking-chair. (Dreiser).
2) In Modern English there is a peculiar type of adverbials
expressed by nouns, adjectives, participles preceded by a
conjunction (if, when, while), which does not occur in Rus
sian.
1 Op. cit, p. 219—227.
2 Ib., p. 229.
When a boy, he was fond of fishing. While reading she never smiled.
3) In Modern English adverbials expressed by nouns without prepositions are not numerous, whereas in Russian they are quite common.
Cf. Мы шли лугами.
Одним зимним утром пришлось мне...
Они будут работать весь день.
Он сидит, свернувшись калачиком, etc.