POSITION OF ADVERBS

POSITION OF ADVERBS

Adverbs of manner, which answer the question 'How?' (e.g., well, fast, quickly, carefully, calmly) are generally placed after the verb or after the object if there is one; as,

It is raining heavily. The ship is going slowly. She speaks English well. He does his work carefully.

Adverbs or adverb phrases of place (e.g., here there, everywhere, on the wall) and of time (e.g., now, then, yet, today, next Sunday) are also usually placed after the verb or after the object if there is one; as,

He will come here. I looked everywhere. Hang the picture there. I met him yesterday.

They are to be married next week.

When there are two or more adverbs after a verb (and its object), the normal order is adverb of manner, adverb of place, adverb of time.

She sang well in the concert.

We should go there tomorrow evening.

He spoke earnestly at the meeting last night.

Adverbs of frequency, which answer the question 'How often?' (e.g., always, never, often, rarely, usually, generally) and certain other adverbs like almost, already, hardly, nearly, just, quite are normally put between the subject and the verb if the verb consists of only one word; if there is more than one word in the verb, they are put after the first word.

His wife never cooks. He has never seen a tiger.

I have often told him to write neatly. We usually have breakfast at eight. My uncle has just gone out.

I quite agree with you.

If the verb is am/are/is/was, these adverbs are placed after the verb, as

I am never late for school.

He is always at home on Sundays.

We arc just off.

These adverbs are usually put before an auxiliary or the single verb be, when it is stressed; as,

“Abdul has come late again.” “Yes, he always does come late.” “When will you write the essay?” “But I already have written it.” “Will you be free on Sundays?” “I usaully am free on Sundays.” “Do you eat meat?” “Yes, I sometimes do.”

When an auxiliary is used alone in short responses, as in the last example above, it is stressed and therefore the adverb comes before it.

The auxiliaries have to and used to prefer the adverb in front of them. I often have to go to college on foot.

He always used to agree with me.

When an adverb modifies an adjective or another adverb, the adverb usually comes before it; as,

Rama is a rather lazy boy. The dog was quite dead.

The book is way interesting.

Do not speak so fast.

But the adverb enough is which it modifies; as, Is the box big enough?

He was rash enough to interrupt. He spoke loud enough to be heard.

As a general rule, the word only .should be placed immediately before the word it modifies; as,

I worked only two sums.

He has slept only three hours.

In spoken English, however it is usually put before the verb. The required meaning is obtained by stressing the word which the only modifies; as, I only worked two sums.

He has only slept' three hours

Exercise in Composition

Insert the given adverbs (or adverb phrases)in their normal position :-

He invited me to visit him (often).

I am determined to yield this point (never)

I know the answer (already).

We have seen her (just, in, the square)

I have to reach the office (by 9 30, usually).

Will he be (there, still)?

I shall meet you (this evening, m the park).

The train has left (just).

“Can you park your car near the shops” “Yes, I can (usually).”

You have to check your oil before starting (always).

He is in time for meals (never).

We should come (here, one morning)

He has recovered from his illness(quite)

She goes to the cinema (seldom)

That is not good (enough).

You must say such a thing (never, again)

Suresh arrives (always, at 9 o'clock, at the office)

He played the violin (last night, brilliantly in the concert)