Adverbs can go different positions.

Adverb + verb + objectE.g. I often get headaches.

Verb + object + adverbE.g. She speaks English well.

Verb + adverb particle + object (noun)

On, off, out, etc.

E.g. Could you switch off the light?

There are three positions of adverb. They are -

AdjectiveE.g. It's terribly cold today.

Past ParticipleE.g. This steak is very badly cooked.

AdverbE.g. They're playing unusually fast.

Adverbial PhraseE.g. He was madly in love with her.

A d v e r b s m o d i f y

front position

(at the beginning of

a clause)

mid position

(before main verb)

Types of Adverbs

Position

Front Position

Mid Position End Position

Adverb of indefinite frequency (sometimes, usually, etc.)

E.g. Usually I get up early.“Ever, rarely, seldom” cannot be used but “always, never” can be used in “imperative clauses”.E.g. Never ask her about her marriage.

E.g. We usually go to Scotland in August.

The adverb is the main focus of the message. ***E.g. I go there occasionally.

Adverb of manner (angrily, happily, etc.)

The adverb is not the main focus of the message. ***E.g. She angrily tore up the letter.

E.g. I worked hard yesterday.

Adverb of place (in….., at….., on…., upstairs, here, there, etc.)

The adverb is not the main focus of the message. ***E.g. Down come the rain.

E.g. Come and sit here.

Adverb of time (today, in June, soon, every week, etc.)

The adverb is not the main focus of the message. ***E.g. Today I’m going to London.

“finally, eventually, already, soon and last” can be used.E.g. I finally got a new car.

E.g. I’m going to London today.Definite frequency (weekly, daily, etc.)E.g. I read newspaper daily.

Adverb of certainty

(maybe, perhaps) E.g. Perhaps her train is late.

(probably, certainly, obviously, etc.) E.g. I definitely feel better today.

Comment adverb (fortunately, surprisingly, etc.)

E.g. Stupidly, I forgot my keys.

E.g. I stupidly forgot my keys.

Connecting adverb (then, next, etc.)

E.g. Suddenly the door opened.

Adverb of completeness (completely, almost, etc.)

E.g. It was almost dark.

Focusing adverb (also, just, even, only, neither, etc.)

E.g. We’re only going for two days.

The adverb “Soon” can be used in three positions. ***

E.g. Soon I will come. (Front position)

I will soon come. (Mid position)

I will come soon. (End position)

The “adverb order” is important.

Manner Place TimeE.g. She sang beautifully in the town hall last night.

Adverb + Main verbE.g. I always play tennis on Saturdays.

Auxiliary + Adverb + Main verbE.g. She has never written to me.

Verb to Be + AdverbE.g. She is always happy.

When adverbs emphasize the negative,

E.g. I certainly do not agree.

Adverb + Negative + Main verb

When they don’t emphasize the negative,

E.g. I do not often have headaches.

Negative + Adverb + Main verb (mild)E.g. I don’t really like her.

Adverb + Negative + Main verb (strong)E.g. I really don’t like her.

Here are some examples that we should notice.

E.g. I probably will not be there. (OR) I will probably not be there. (OR) I probably won’t be there. (Before a contracted negative)

Adverbs with emphatic verbs

E.g. Yes, well, I always DO say thank-you.

Modal + Adverb + AuxiliaryE.g. They must sometimes be bored.

Adverb + Modal + AuxiliaryE.g. They sometimes must be bored.

Comparison between usages of British English and American English

E.g. He has probably arrived by now. (British English normal)

E.g. He probably has arrived by now. (American English normal, British English emphatic)

Emphasizing Adverbs

Adverb + Emphasize Words

E.g. I’m really tired today.

We can use adjectives as adverbs (informal style and American English)

E.g. She talks funny.

Negative + Adverb + Main verb