Word Order of Adverbs

 

1. Adverbs of manner can be used in any position. In front position they give emphasis.

e.g. She opened the letter carefully. Carefully, she opened the letter.

 

2. Adverbs of manner, place and time, when used in the same sentence, are usually placed as follows

 

 

 

 

 

Subject + verb	manner	place	time
He was working	quietly	in the shed	all day.

 

 

 

 

       Adverbs of manner usually go in end position, but an adverb which ends in ly can sometimes go in mid position.

e.g. We asked permission politely. We politely asked permission.

 

3. Note that when there is a verb of movement, the order is place – manner – time

 

 

 

 

 

Subject + verb	place	manner	time
She went	there	by bus	yesterday.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Adverbs of time usually go in end position. They also go in front position to emphasize the time.

 

5. Adverbs of frequency (always, ever, occasionally, seldom, sometimes, usually etc) go after the first auxiliary but before the main verb.

e.g. She was always complaining. She always comes on time.

       In short answers, however, adverbs of frequency go before the auxiliary.

e.g. Is he always so bad tempered? - Yes, he always is.

      Normally, usually, often, sometimes and occasionally can also go in front or end position.

e.g.  Normally Sarah goes by train. I feel depressed sometimes.

 

6. Adverbs of degree (almost, hardly, quite etc) go before the words they modify.

e.g. I've almost finished.

 

7. An adverb does not usually go between the verb and the direct object. It is put in end position, after the object. But an adverb can go before a long object.

e.g. Tom ate his breakfast quickly. Detectives examined carefully the contents of the dead man's pockets.

 

8. A sentence adverb is a word or phrase like certainly, perhaps, luckily, of course. The adverb can go in front, mid or end position. Sometimes we put a comma after or before the adverb, especially in front, mid or end position.

e.g. Fortunately, the weather stayed fine. We'll probably have to queue for tickets. Rachel was late, of course.

       In a negative sentence, probably and certainly come before auxiliary verbs.

e.g. We probably won't get there in time.

 

9. There can be more than one adverb or adverbial phrase in end position. Usually a single-word adverb comes before a phrase.

e.g. They landed safely on a small airfield.

When there is a close link in meaning between a verb and an adverb, then the adverb goes next to the verb. With verbs of movement like go, come and move, a phrase of place comes before time.

e.g. My parents moved to London in 1993.

But often two adverbial phrases can go in either order.

e.g. The concert was held at the arts centre last night.

       The concert was held last night at the arts centre.

 

10. In a positive statement, still and already usually go in the mid position. In a negative statement still goes before haven't, can't, etc. In a question still and already usually go after the subject.

e.g.  Sarah isn't home yet. She's still at work. My friend is sixteen, and she still can't swim.

        Are you still waiting after all this time?

 

1. Complete the conversations using the words in brackets.

 

1. Did you know the man who tried to steal your bag? – No, but I (certainly, would, recognize) him.
2. The weather is a lot better today. – It said on the radio it (probably, rain, will, later).
3. How do we get to Mike's place? – I don't know. I (didn't, fully, understand) the directions.
4. It's quite here today, isn't it? – Yes, the neighbours (usually, are) out on a Sunday.
5. Have you been to this place before? – Yes, I (it, occasionally, visited) as a child.
6. Did the computers crash this morning? – Yes, but they (again, soon, were, working)
7. Your friend's late, Vicky. – Rachel (forgotten, has, obviously) that we arranged to go out.

 

2. Rewrite the sentences putting the adverbs in the correct place and making any other necessary changes.

 

1. Ferries sail to the island. (weekly, twice, only, during the winter)
2. He does the shopping. (reluctantly, at the supermarket, every week)
3. She waited for her test results. (worriedly, in the hospital, all day)
4. The clock strikes twelve times. ( exactly, in the hall, at midnight)
5. My mother used to read to me. (aloud, always, in the evenings)
6. The soldiers marched. (to the battlefield, bravely, yesterday)
7. They go by car. (at weekends, to the leisure centre, sometimes)
8. We arrived after a bumpy flight. (in Scotland, eventually, safely, extremely)
9. The detective had been following the suspect. (all day, carefully)
10. She walks. (quickly, every morning, to the station)
11. The little boy ran. ( excitedly, from the room, suddenly)
12. She turned up looking annoyed. (at the party, unexpectedly, terribly)
13. He studied. (in his bedroom, hard, all morning)
14. She looked at her reflection. ( carefully, in the mirror, for ten minutes)
15. The children sit and play. (in their room, for hours, happily)
16. He waved goodbye. (to his friend, at the airport, sadly)
17. The old boat sailed into the harbour. (slowly, through the water, this afternoon)
18. He ran to answer the phone. (down the stairs, to the hall, quickly)
19. She sat reading a book. (all day, lazily, by the fire)
20. He looked to see if anyone was there. ( out the window, nervously, this morning)

 

3. Rewrite the text putting in the correct place.

 

A) A man called Alvin decided to rob a bank in Montgomery, Alabama. (once) Alvin's parents had told him that good manners were important. (often) So Alvin went to the bank, stood in to the line and waited. (patiently) It was his turn. (soon) He pulled out a gun and threatened the cashier. (dramatically) She told him that he was in the wrong line and should go to another counter. (politely) Alvin went to the correct place and stood in line. (immediately, again) The police rushed in and arrested him. (suddenly) Alvin was amazed. They'd caught him before he'd done the robbery. (even) The moral of the story is that you shouldn't do what your parents tell you. (always) 

 

B) Have you though about your child's future? (carefully) have you thought about sending your child to boarding school, but have been worried about how your child would react to being away from you? (particularly) On the 22^nd and 23^rd of this month, we at St James are opening our doors to parents like you. St James is located near Chatwick main train station and sits on a mountainside overlooking the Menta Lakes.(conveniently, picturesquely) Students sleep in twin rooms that have been redecorated and are designed to be as comfortable as possible. (tastefully, specially) Students work hard and are supervised by experienced teachers. (all day) In the evening they can sit in our comfortable canteen for a very nutritious meal prepared by our resident chef who selects only fresh ingredients (daily, expertly) Once you've spent the day with day us, we can guarantee you and your child will want to reserve a place. (at once)

 

4. Translate from Russian into English.

 

1. These shoes are really (плохо) made.
2. He looked (сердито) at me.
3. It's dangerous when people drive so (быстро).
4. At this time it began to snow (сильно).
5. They lived (счастливо) ever after.
6. Mary looked (сердито).
7. The material is (высоко) radioactive.
8. The medicine tastes (ужасно).
9. They were speaking very (тихо).
10. Emma's tooth ached (ужасно).
11. I'd like to arrive (рано), if I can.
12. I'm afraid we didn't play very (хорошо).
13. I went to bed (поздно).
14. I slept (плохо) last night.
15. She was walking very (быстро).
16. I (почти) missed her.
17. The plane flew (высоко) in the sky.
18. The strawberries are fresh and taste (прекрасно).

 

5. Change the following sentences using the words given.

 

1. If you work too late, you'll be tired tomorrow. – The __________.
2. I've never heard such good news. – It's __________.
3. He's more hard working than his brother. – His brother __________.
4. She looks more self-assured than she is.  – She __________.
5. He is steadily rich. – He is __________.
6. Isn't there a quicker way to do this? – What __________?
7. She's got the same amount of money as I have. – She __________.
8. She has the best pronunciation in the class. – Her __________.
9. A powerful car uses a lot of fuel. – The __________.
10. Supermarkets are more convenient than small shops. – Small __________.
11. I haven't eaten as much as you. – You __________.
12. Jack isn't as interested in football as his brother is. – His brother __________.
13. We expected the play to be better. – The play __________.

 

6.   Study the following examples and rephrase sentences, as in the examples.

 

      1.  Going parachuting is more dangerous than playing basketball.

a) Playing basketball is less dangerous than going parachuting.

b) Playing basketball isn't half as dangerous as going parachuting.

      2.  The antique desk is more expensive than the iron bed.

      3.  The yellow dress is not as elegant as the grey one.

      4.  The action film was more exciting than the comedy.

      5.  Travelling by train is more comfortable than travelling by bus.

      6.  Your apple pie was more delicious than my sister's.

      7.  He spends more money on CDs than his friend.

 

7. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the adjectives in brackets making any other necessary changes. Then, match the sayings with their explanations.

 

1. Actions speak (loud) words.
2. His bark is (bad) his bite.
3. She was (proud) a peacock when she won a spelling contest.
4. Absence makes the heart grow (fond).
5. The grass is always (green) on the other side of the fence.
6. Blood is (thick) water.
7. Giving up bad habits is (easy) said done.
8. Laughter is (good) medicine.
9. (Good) late never.
10. I've heard that joke lots of times. It (old) the hills.

A) Being away from somebody makes you realize how much they mean to you.

B) It's better for something to happen late instead of not happening at all.

C) He isn't as bad tempered as you think he is.

D) That joke is very old.

E) Family ties are stronger than other relationships.

F) It's more difficult to stop doing something than to say you're going to stop doing it.

G) Being cheerful and optimistic helps you forget your problems and troubles.

H) Life seems better in other places.

I) She was pleased with herself when she won the spelling contest.

J) People are judged more by what they do than by what they say.

 

8. Change the following sentences using the words given.

 

1. Fish and meat are the same price in many restaurants. – Fish costs just __________.
2. The doctor can't see you earlier than Wednesday I'm afraid. – Wednesday is __________.
3. I must have a rest. I can't walk any more. – I can't go __________.
4. Home computers used to be much more expensive.  – Home computers aren't __________.
5. I though that learning to drive would be difficult, but it isn't. – Learning to drive is __________.
6. Barbara can skate just as well as John can. – John isn't __________.
7. I didn't arrive as early as I expected. – I arrived _________.
8. All other pubs are further away. – This pub __________.
9. Is this the best price you can offer? – Can't you __________?
10. Paula's work is less careful than before. – Paula has been working __________.