Position of Adverbs
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Position of Adverbs :
In English different types of adverbs are put in different positions.
Adverbs of manner, which answer the question - How? (well, quickly, calmly, carefully) are normally put after the verb or after the object if there is one.
1. She types quickly.
2. He speaks English well.
3. He entered the room calmly.
4. He drove the car carefully.
Adverbs or adverb phrases of time (today, tomorrow, next Monday) and of place i e.g., here, there, on the wall) are also usually put after the verb after the object if there is one.
1. He has come today.
2. I saw Bhaskar yesterday.
3. Let’s hang the picture there.
4. Please put this book on the table.
When there are two or more adverbs or adverb phrases after a verb (and its object), the normal order is : adverb (phrase) of manner, of place, of time.
1. He spoke well at the meeting.
2. I must go there tomorrow morning.
3. She sang beautifully at the function last night.
Adverbs of frequency, which answer the question - HOW OFTEN? (always, ever, never, sometimes, often, rarely) are usually placed between the subject and the verb if the verb consists of only one word. On the other hand, if there is more than one word in the verb, they are placed after the first word (after the auxiliary verb).
1. He often comes late.
2. I have often been to Mumbai.
3. He never tells lies.
4. I have never seen a lion.
5. She sometimes plays chess.
6. Have you ever seen Qutab Minar?
But if the verb is am / is / was, these adverbs are placed after the verb.
1. He is always busy.
2. I am never late.
The following adverbs are also put in the same position : just, nearly, almost already, quite, rather, still, also |
1. I already know him.
2. He has just arrived.
3. I have almost finished the book.
4. He is still in the office.
The adverbs can also be used in other positions in the sentence, especially when emphasis is required.
For example, adverbs (or adverb phrases) of time may be used at the beginning of a sentence as in the first sentence below and adverbs of frequency may be placed before the (first) auxiliary verb as in the other two sentences.
1. Don't worry. Tomorrow morning I will come back. (emphasis on time)
2. Will you be free on Sunday?
3. I usually am free on Sundays. (stress on AM)
4. Do you cat meat?
5. I sometimes do. (stress on do)
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