Example of Circumstantial Modifiers of the Verb

The circumstantial modifiers of the verbal nucleus (verb) is so called because it indicates the circumstances in which the verbal action is carried out, considering place, time, mode and instrument, that is, it answers the questions Where? When? How? and with what? the action of the verb is performed.

Examples of circumstantial modifiers:

Ernesto studies at High School One.
The festival is today.
The machine works fine.
The hunters caught the coyote with a trap.
Where does Ernesto study? In High School One. This is the circumstantial.
When is the festival? Today. Today is the circumstantial.
How does the machine work? Well. Well is the circumstantial.

In the last example the circumstantial modifier is: with a trap, that is, the instrument with which the action is performed.
Sometimes this verbal modifier leads the subordinates to, without, after, on, from, by, towards, between, under, against. Examples:
Roberto goes on the excursion.
In winter the trees are without leaves.
From the balcony we watched the parade.

We happily walked through the forest.
The ship is heading towards the port.
The plane had to fly through the clouds.
The cat is under the ladder.
The boats sailed against the current.

The circumstantial can be formed with:
• A word. Example:

The guests were treated cordially.

• A construction. (It does not have a preposition). Example:

The passers-by returned very happy.

• A complement. (It has a preposition.) Example:

We will go to the beach.