ADVERBS AND ADVERBIAL PHRASES ADVERBS WHAT IS AND ADVERB? Adverbs are one of the four major word classes, along with nouns, verbs and adjectives. We use adverbs to add more information about a verb, an adjective, another adverb, a clause or a whole sentence and, less commonly, about a noun phrase. Can you move it carefully? It’s fragile. Quickly! We’re late. She swims really well. Don’t go so fast. TYPES OF ADVERBS time I never get up early at the weekends. manner Walk across the road carefully! place When we got there, the tickets had sold out. degree It’s rather cold, isn’t it? frequency comment I’m always losing my keys. He was clearly running away from the commotion. ADVERBIAL PHRASES WHAT IS AN ADVERBIAL PHRASE? • An adverbial phrase is a group of words that functions as an adverb. Adverbial phrases contrast with adverbial clauses and single-word adverbs. Unlike an adverbial clause, an adverbial phrase does not contain a subject and a verb. • I'll do it in a minute. • He sings in a low register. POSITION OF ADVERBS AND ADVERBIAL PHRASES • Adverbs and adverb phrases can be placed in three positions: Initial position: at the beginning of the sentence. Sometimes, I feel a bit lost. Final position: at the end of the sentence. She arrived very late. MID- POSITION • This is the position where most adverbs are placed. It is before the main verb. I often call him to know how he is. They don’t always answer the phone. • After the verb be (when it is the main verb). They are often late. • After the auxiliary verb or the first auxiliary verb (when there are two or more auxiliary verbs). You must never do that again. I have often been tempted to tell her I love her. TYPES OF ADVERBS AND THEIR POSITION ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY -HOW OFTEN• Adverbs of frequency usually go in mid position. However, a few of them (sometimes, usually, and normally) can also go in initial position. • Mid position: I usually work on Saturdays She’s hardly ever late You should always knock at the door. • Initial position: sometimes, usually, normally Sometimes, he can be very stubborn. ADVERBS OF MANNER -HOW- • Adverbs of manner can be used in any of the three positions; however, their most common position is the final position. • Final position: I don’t understand you when you speak quickly. She can dance salsa marvellously. • Mid position: Adverbs of manner are used in this position mainly in literary style, although they normally go in this position with passive verb forms. He carefully took the flower and put it in the jar. (=literary) The driver was seriously injured. • Some adverbs of manner cannot be placed in mid position: well, badly, hard, fast. • Initial position: Adverbs of manner are used in this position only in literary style. Carefully, she opened the box. ADVERBS OF TIME -WHEN• Final position: We normally place adverbs of time in final position. They’ll be here soon. It rained a lot yesterday. • Initial position: We can also use adverbs of time in initial position. We place them in this position for emphasis or to structure a text (as connecting devices). Two days after their wedding, they slip up. Last week, she arrived late every day. ADVERBS OF DEGREE -HOW MUCH- • Almost, hardly, nearly, quite, rather, scarcely, etc. Most degree adverbs usually go in mid position: We were nearly hit by a car in the street. I would rather stay here if you don’t mind. • Very, extremely, incredibly, absolutely, etc. They are placed before the adjective or adverb they modify: We’re incredibly tired. It’s absolutely impossible to do it right. • Much, a lot, a bit They are normally used after the verb they complement: Britons drink a lot. He doesn’t talk much. • A little It’s normally placed before the adjective or adverb they modify: I’m a little tired. MANNER, PLACE, TIME • When we have to use different adverbs in final position, their order is usually manner, place and time. They met by chance in England in 1999. • Note that when there is a verb of movement, the order is place, manner and time. • He goes to school by car every day. VERB AND OBJECT • Verbs and objects can never be separated. We cannot place any adverbs between them. I like a lot pizza. X I like pizza a lot. OK! He speaks very well English. X He speaks English very well. OK! LET’S PRACTICE! https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b1-b2/position-of-adverbs/
