Summary of the rules
for position of adverbials
We do not usually put adverbs
between a verb and its object.
Ö
: I often get headaches.
û:
I get often headaches.
There are three normal positions for
adverbs:
|
Position |
Example |
| Initial position - at
the beginning of a clause |
Yesterday
it rained all day long. |
| Medial position -
usually after auxiliary verbs and before main verbs |
Sorry, I completely
forgot to buy some coffee.
I have never been to Greece. |
| End position - at the
end of a clause and after the object of a verb |
It rained all day yesterday.
He walked quickly.
He opened the parcel eagerly. |
Many adverbs can be used in all of
these positions, others are restricted as to where they can be placed.
The table below gives a summary of adverbial types and their
positions.
| Type |
Position |
Examples
|
|
connecting adverbs -
these join clauses to what came before
however, then,
besides, anyway
|
beginning of clause
|
Most students find this difficult. However,
it's really a matter of practice.
I worked until 8 o'clock, then I
went home. |
|
frequency adverbs - how
often something happens
always, ever,
usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes, occasionally,
rarely, seldom, never |
medial |
How often do you go to the cinema?
I rarely have a chance nowadays.
She normally catches the 7.30
train. |
|
frequency adverbs (2)
usually,
normally, frequently, sometimes, occasionally |
beginning and end |
Sometimes
she catches a later train.
I only go to the cinema occasionally.
û:
I get up early always. |
|
focusing adverbs - these
point to one part of a clause
also, just,
even, only, mainly, mostly, either, or , neither, nor |
medial (they can also go directly
before the words they modify) |
He's learnt everything, he's even
memorised the most difficult words.
She's his colleague, but they 're also
good friends.
I can only speak a little
Chinese. |
|
focusing adverbs (2)
only, really,
even |
adverb + word modified |
Only you can make
this world seem right.
I feel really happy.
He wears sandals even in the
rain. |
|
certainty adverbs - how sure
we are
certainly,
definitely, clearly, obviously, probably |
medial |
It will probably
rain later.
She has obviously not understood. |
|
certainty adverbs (2)
certainly,
definitely, clearly, obviously, probably |
be + adverb |
There is clearly
a problem with this.
She is definitely not happy with
the situation. |
|
certainty adverbs (3)
perhaps, maybe |
beginning |
Perhaps
she's been delayed.
Maybe I'll see you later. |
|
completeness adverbs -
how completely something happens
completely,
practically, almost, nearly, quite, rather, partly, sort of,
kind of, more or less, hardly, scarcely |
medial |
I have completely
forgotten her name.
She can almost beat the record.
The building is partly finished.
She can hardly walk. |
|
manner adverbs - how
something is done or happens
angrily, happily, fast,
slowly, suddenly, well, badly, nicely, noisily, quietly, hard,
softly |
end (most frequent) |
He went away angrily.
She speaks English well.
He stood up suddenly. |
|
manner adverbs (2)
stupidly, wearily,
carefully |
medial |
I have stupidly
left my keys in my office.
He wearily slumped down on the
sofa. |
|
manner adverbs (3)
stupidly, wearily,
carefully
|
beginning |
Carefully
he lifted the top.
Stupidly I forgot to bring my
money. |
|
place adverbs - where
something happens (often formed with a preposition)
upstairs, here, around,
near, to -----, in ------, at -------, out of -------- |
end |
She went upstairs.
Come here.
The children have gone to bed.
He was gazing out of the window. |
|
direction adverbs - where
something is or is going
there , here |
beginning (often with inversion of
verb and subject) |
Here
comes the bus.
There she is now. |
|
time adverbs - when
something happens
finally, eventually,
already, soon, early, today, before, last year, in summer,
next week, still, every day, now, later |
end |
I've paid the bill already.
I"ll see you later.
They go to Blackpool in summer.
We'll hold the meeting next week. |
|
time adverbs (2)
finally, eventually,
already, soon, still, just, recently |
medial |
She still
wants you back.
So you finally arrived.
We have just moved in. |
|
time adverbs (3)
today, tomorrow, yesterday |
beginning |
Yesterday
it rained heavily.
Tomorrow will be cold. |
|
emphasis adverbs - intensify
other words
very, extremely,
absolutely, terribly, just, really, right |
directly before the words they modify |
She left just
before me.
You are absolutely right.
She speaks really well.
He walked right past me without
speaking. |
|
