POSITIONS OF ADVERBS [WHERE TO PUT ADVERBS IN A SENTENCE]

POSITIONS OF ADVERBS

Where Should You Place An Adverb?

When deciding on where to place your adverb within a sentence it is important to remember to place it as near as possible to the word it is going to modify.

1: If the word you are modifying is a verb then the adverb should be placed in the middle of the sentence.

For example:

He swam effortlessly across the pool.

2: It is important to consider the adverb ‘only’ as this can often be misplaced and has the ability to change the meaning of the sentence. Look at the two following examples:

I only fed my bird.

I fed only my bird.

3: The first sentence explains that I fed my bird but did nothing else with it, whereas the second sentence explains that I fed my bird and not any other birds.

Different types of adverbs and adverbials go in different positions in the clause. Let’s learn these adverb positions in a sentence, also called adverb placement.

A: The front position: before the subject of the sentence. It gives information in advance, to set the scene for the action that follows.

B: The mid position: the adverb in this position is intimately connected with the verb, generally placed immediately before it. If there is an auxiliary verb, the adverb is placed between the auxiliary and main verb. In case there are two, it is placed between them. If there is a negative auxiliary, the adverb normally goes after the negative element, but we can emphasize negation by placing the adverb just before it.

C: The end position: at the end of the sentence.

The most common types of adverb and their position in clause:

Adverb of frequency – Middle position

Adverb of time – End position, following adverbs of manner and location

Adverb of manner – End position, preceding other adverbs

Conjunctive adverb – Beginning position

Adverb of Degree – Before the words they describe or emphasize

The following is a detailed list of possibilities. Observe that position may depend on the meaning of the adverb.

A: ADVERB PLACEMENT: THE FRONT POSITION

1: Conjunctive Adverbs (Linking adverbs)

Linking adverbs (such as however, then, next, besides, as a result, etc.) are adverbs that are used to link ideas or clauses in spoken discourse or written text. They could also be called conjunctive adverbs in so far as they perform the same sort of function as conjunctions. Some of them may also be found in the mid position.

For example:

However may occupy any of the three positions.

Everyone played well. However, we still lost the game.

Everyone played well; however, we still lost the game.

Everyone played well. We still lost the game, however.

2: ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY

Usually, normally, often, frequently, occasionally, sometimes, regularly, always, …

Never, rarely, seldom, … require subject-verb inversion.

This type of adverb can be placed at any to the three positions; the front and end positions are emphatic. The mid position is the most frequent and neutral.

Examples:

Sometimes I see him at the supermarket.

I see him at the supermarket sometimes.

I sometimes see him at the supermarket.

3: ADVERBS OF CERTAINTY

perhaps, maybe.

Example:

Perhaps he’s not coming in the end.

Other adverbs of certainty go in the mid-position: definitely, probably, certainly.

They are often found as short answers in discourse.

4: ADVERBS OF TIME

The front position is possible if the adverb is not the main point of the sentence.

Example:

Tomorrow I’m going to Dublin.

5: ADVERBS OF PLACE

Most often go in the end-position but can also be positioned at the beginning of the sentence, specially in literary writing.

Example:

Next to the bookshelf was a fireplace.

6: ADVERBS OF MANNER

Slowly, suddenly, badly, quietly…

Examples:

Unfortunately, I’ve got to work on Christmas Eve.

Suddenly, the eagle opened its wings.

B: ADVERB PLACEMENT: THE MID POSITION

1: Adverbs of Manner

Adverbs of manner can be placed in the mid-position when they’re not the focus of the message.

Examples:

He slowly backed his car into the garage.

Menlo angrily replied to a query from a reporter.

2: Adverbs of Frequency

Never, rarely, sometimes, often, usually, always, ever, etc.

Examples:

He always has sandwiches for his lunch.

I sometimes have to work late.

3: Adverbs of Time

Already, still, yet, finally, eventually, soon, last, just, etc.

Examples:

We’ve already eaten dinner.

It’s just a cat.

4: Adverbs of Degree

Some adverbs of degree such as completely, almost, hardly, quite, just…

Example:

I can hardly believe you said that.

5: Adverbs of Certainty

Definitely, probably, obviously, certainly…

Example:

We’re obviously going to need more help.

6: Adverbs of Place and Time

Examples:

I now see I was wrong; I will here remark that our products are the best in the market.

C: ADVERB PLACEMENT: THE END POSITION

1: Adverbs of Manner, Place and Time

Adverbs of manner, place and time most often go in this position but we can put them in front position as in literary or descriptive use.

For example:

The horse whisked its tail angrily.

Journalists will be able to preview the exhibition tomorrow.

The truck picked up speed slowly.

2: Adverbs of Frequency

Indefinite frequency adverbs are commonly found in the mid-position, only if they are the main focus of attention in the sentence can we place them at the end of the sentence.

For example:

She can be very hurtful sometimes.

He visits me occasionally.

Note:

When there is more than one adverb in end position, the usual order in written English is adverb of manner + place + time.

For example:

In the accident she was thrown violently against the door. (= manner + place)

If there are 2 adverbs of time, the first one is the most detailed one.

For example:

The conference will be held on Monday, July 14th 2019.