adverbs: position (details)

Connecting adverbs

Indefinite frequency

These adverbs say how often something happens.
Examples: always, ever, usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes, occasionally, rarely, seldom, never Position: mid-position (after auxiliary verbs and am, are, is, was and
were: before other verbs).
auxiliary verb + adverbj
I have never seen a whale.
You can always come and stay with us if you want to.
Have you ever played American football?
be + adverb My boss is often bad-tempered.
I'm seldom late for work.
adverb + other verb
We usually go to Scotland in August. It sometimes gets very windy here.
When there are two auxiliary verbs, these adverbs usually come after the first.
We have never been invited to one of their parties.
She must sometimes have wanted to run away.
Usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes and occasionally can go at the beginning of a clause for emphasis. Always, never, rarely, seldom and ever cannot.
Sometimes I think I'd like to live somewhere else.
Usually I get up early.
(NOT Always I get up early. Never I get up early.)
But always and never can come at the beginning of imperative clauses.
Always look in your mirror before starting to drive.
Never ask her about her marriage.
For the position of adverbs of definite frequency (for example daily, weekly), see 8 below.

Focusing adverbs

These adverbs 'point to' or emphasize one part of the clause. Examples: also, just, even, only, mainly, mostly, either, or, neither, nor Position: mid-position (after auxiliary verbs and am, are, is, was and
were; before other verbs).
auxiliary verb + adverb
i ~ i He's been everywhere—he's even been'to Antarctica.
i ~ i_
I'm only going for two days!
be + adverb
i ~ i
She's my teacher, but she's also'my friend¹ The people at the meeting were maTnly scientists.
adverb + other verb
i i Your bicycle just needs'some o//¹— that's all. i i i i She neither said thank-you nor looked at me.
Too and as well are focusing adverbs that go in end-position.Either goes in end-position after not.

Adverbs of certainty

We use these adverbs to say how sure we are of something. Examples: certainly, definitely, clearly, obviously, probably, really Position: mid-position (after auxiliary verbs and am, are, is, was and
were; before other verbs).
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auxiliary verb + adverb
It will probably rain this evening.
The train has obviously been delayed.
be + adverb
There is clearly something wrong.
She is definitely older than him.
adverb + other verb
He probably thinks you don't like him.
I certainly feel better today.
Maybe and perhaps usually come at the beginning of a clause.
Perhaps her train is late.
Maybe I'm right, and maybe I'm wrong.

Adverbs of completeness

These adverbs say how completely something happens.
Examples: completely, practically, almost, nearly, quite, rather, partly sort of, kind of, hardly, scarcely Position: mid-position (after auxiliary verbs and am, are. is, was and
were; before other verbs).
| auxiliary verb + adverb
I have completely forgotten your name.
Sally can practically read.
be + adverb]
It is almost dark.
The house is partly ready.
|^adverb + other verb
I kind of hope she wins.

Adverbs of manner

These adverbs say how, in what way, something happens or is done.
Examples: angrily, happily, fast, slowly, suddenly, well, badly, nicely, noisily, quietly, hard, softly
Position: most often at the end of a clause, especially if the adverb is
emphasized. Adverbs in -ly can go in mid-position if the adverb is less important than the verb or object. Initial position is also possible.
end-position
He drove off angrily You speak English well.
She read the letter slowly.
mid-position
She angrily tore up the letter.
I slowly began to feel better again.
initial position
Suddenly I had an idea.
In passive clauses, adverbs of manner often go before the past participle. This is very common with adverbs that say how well something is done (for example well, badly).
| adverb + past participle]
Everything has been carefully checked I thought it was very well written The conference was badly organized

Adverbs of place

These adverbs say where something happens.
Examples: upstairs, around, here, to bed, in London, out of the window Position: at the end of a clause. Initial position also possible,
especially in literary writing.
The children are playing upstairs Come and sit here
Don t throw orange peel out of the window She s sitting at the end of the garden
At the end of the garden there was a very tall tree.
Adverbs of direction (movement) come before adverbs of position.
The children are running around upstairs Here and there often begin clauses. Note the word order.
Here/There + verb + subjecT]
Here comes your bus. (NOT Here your bus comes.)
There s Alice.
Pronoun subjects come directly after here and there.
Here it comes (NOT Here comes it.)
There she is. (NOT There is she.)

Adverbs of time

These adverbs say when something happens.
Examples: today, afterwards, in June, last year, daily, weekly, every year, finally, before, eventually, already, soon, still, last
Position: mostly in end-position; initial position also common. Some
can go in mid-position (see below). Adverbs of indefinite frequency (often, ever etc) go in mid-position (see paragraph 2).
I'm going to London today Today I'm going to London.
She has a new hair style every week Every week she has a new hair style.
Time adverbs in -ly can also go in mid-position; so can already, soon and last. Still and yusfonly go in mid-position.
So you finally got here.
I've already paid the bill.
We'll soon be home.
When did you last see your father?
I still love you.
She's just gone out.