ADVERBS IN USE

Examples

In the examples in this article, the verbs are shown underlined and the adverbs shown in bold type.

The position of the adverb in a sentence may sometimes be a matter of choice but there are many rules, some of which are more useful than others.

In my opinion, examples 1, 4 and 7 are especially useful.

Here are some examples –

1. Describing the manner in which the action is done:

‘She speaks English well.’ – it is impossible to say ‘she well speaks English’

‘We act sensibly.’ If that is the whole sentence the adverb comes after the action word. If there are more words it would be:

‘He sensibly avoided walking on the railway tracks.’

2. In cases where the action word has no direct object.

At this point we must remind ourselves about objects. This is an example of a verb with a subject and an object –

‘He(subject) hit (verb) him (object).’

In this complete sentence we can say,

‘He hit him quickly’ or

‘He quickly hit him.’

But if the sentence doesn’t have an object then the adverb must come after the action word – ‘He hit slowly’.

3. Where the adverb is of place it must come later than the verb –

I found the children there.

He met his father somewhere in Asia.

She sold cosmetics everywhere she went

He is over there.

4. If the adverb is about the frequency of an action it usually comes before the verb. –

We always arrive early.

They never pay the bill.

BUT if the verb is ‘to be’ the adverb of frequency comes after the verb –

She is rarely on time for appointments.

They are always punctual.

5. If the describer concerns quantity it will normally come last –

She taught me a lot.

I don’t think you’ll get much.

You might discover more.

6. describing the degree of action, the adverb comes before the verb. –

I almost fainted in the shop.

She completely denies his allegation.

I could hardly walk.

He strongly objected to the idea.

7. When an auxiliary is used the adverb comes immediately after the auxiliary (marked in red here) –

You could seldom see his face.

She would just keep quiet.

They could usually find the way

I can carefully search through the garbage.

The correct placing of adverbs will affect the order of words in your sentence (syntax).  But with ‘a good ear’ and practice you will soon form good sentences in English.

And see – Adverbs Introduction

and           Adverbial clauses

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