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Adverbs: position (general)
Blog »Grammar

Different kinds of adverbs go in different positions in a clause. Here are some general rules: for more details, see 14. (Note: these rules apply both to one-word adverbs and to adverb phrases of two or more words.;

Verb and object

We do not usually put adverbs between a verb and its object.

adverb + verb + object verb I adverb I object

  • I very much like my job. (NOT I like very much my job... verb + object + adverb
  • She speaks English well. (NOT She speaks well English.)

Initial, mid and end position

There are three normal positions for adverbs:

a. initial position (at the beginning of a clause)

  • Yesterday morning something very strange happened.

b. mid-position 

  • My brother completely forgot my birthday.

c. end position (at the end of a clause)

What are you doing tomorrow?

Most adverb phrases (adverbs of two or more words) cannot go in mid-position. Compare:

  • He got dressed quickly      He quickly got dressed. (Quickly can go in end or mid-position.)
  • He got dressed in a hurry (NOT / le in a hurry got dressed.) (In a hurry cannot go in mid-position.)

What goes where? initial position

Connecting adverbs (which join a clause to what came before). Time adverbs can also go here.

  • However, not everybody agreed, (connecting adverb) 
  • Tomorrow I've got a meeting in Cardiff (time adverb)

mid-position

Focusing adverbs (which emphasize one part of the clause); adverbs of certainty and completeness; adverbs of indefinite frequency; some adverbs of manner.

  • He's been everywhere — he's even been to Antarctica, (focusing adverb)
  • It will probably rain this evening,  (certainty) I've almost finished painting the house,  (completeness)
  • My boss often travels to America,  (indefinite frequency) He quickly got dressed,  (manner)

с     end-position

  • Adverbs of manner (how), place (where) and time (when) most often go in end-position. 
  • She brushed her hair slowly   (manner) 
  • The children are playing upstairs   (place) 
  • I phoned Alex this morning   (time)

 


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Vera, 742 days ago 0
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