ENG_C2.0204G
Adverb Placement
Grammar Basics
Grammar & Structure
Level C2
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ENG_C2.0204G
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Adverb Placement Outline
ENG_C2.0204G
Content
Placing adverbs in a sentence can be quite tricky, as the placement of adverbs can
change the meaning of a sentence. Further, some adverbs tend to be placed only
in certain positions.
Learning Outcomes
• Learn about the different placement types for adverbs.
• Read about the different types of adverbs.
• Practice using adverbs and correcting sentences with them.
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Adverb Review
ENG_C2.0204G
Speaking
Review: Adverbs
What is an adverb?
Why are adverbs important?
When are adverbs used and where are
they placed in a sentence?
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Adverb Placement
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Please note
There are three positions in which different
adverbs can be placed in a sentence:
initial position (before the
subject)
 middle position (between the
subject and the verb)
 end position (at the end of a
clause)

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Adverb Placement: Middle Position
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Please note
The middle position is particularly tricky.
Normally, an adverb in the middle position comes right
before the verb.
Example:
I never drive cars.
I barely made it to work on time.
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Adverb Placement: Middle Position
ENG_C2.0204G
Please note
However, when variations of the verb “to be”
are used (“are,” “is,” “were,” etc.), the adverb
is placed directly after the verb.
Examples:
I am never home.
We are always busy.
They were probably at school.
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Adverb Placement: Middle Position
ENG_C2.0204G
Please note
Similarly, when auxiliary verbs are used, the
adverb is placed directly after them.
Example:
I can never wake up early.
She has finally finished her homework.
We will carefully walk through the antique store.
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ENG_C2.0204G
Types of Adverbs
There are six different types of adverbs, each
of which tends to be placed in certain
positions. These types are:
Linking
Time
Manner
Frequency
Place
Degree
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Linking Adverbs
ENG_C2.0204G
Please note
Linking verbs, such as “however,”
“consequently,” and “nevertheless” are used
to connect two clauses or sentences to one
another. They are almost always in the initial
position.
Examples:
Susan wanted to go out to eat; however, her friends wanted to
stay home.
John studied very hard for his exams and, as a result, (he)
received good grades.
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Linking Adverbs
C2.0104G
ENG_C2.0204G
Writing
Correct the following sentences.
• Consequently, George decided to order a hamburger;
Mary said the restaurant had very good burgers.
_____________________________________________
• Because of the rain, we weren't able to have a picnic
outside, however. We ate a big meal in the kitchen
instead.
__________________________________
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Adverbs of Manner
ENG_C2.0204G
Please note
Adverbs of Manner, such as “carefully,”
“quickly,” and “gently” are used to explain the
manner in which an action takes place. They
can be placed in any position.
Examples:
She drove the car quickly.
Carefully, he carried the tray of food.
They slowly walked around the block.
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Adverbs of Manner
ENG_C2.0204G
Writing
Place the adverb “cautiously” in all 3
positions:
Jacob rode his bicycle down the rocky road.
1.2.3.-
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Adverbs of Place
ENG_C2.0204G
Please note
Adverbs of Place, such as “here,” “there,” and “inside”
are used to describe the location in which an action
occurs. They are generally placed in end position, but
can also be used in the initial position to add
emphasis to the adverb.
Examples:
He went jogging outside.
Nearby there was a waterfall.
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Adverbs of Place
ENG_C2.0204G
Writing
Fix the sentences that are written incorrectly.
1. We played there chess.
2. He lifted weights downstairs.
3. She can outside go for a run.
4. Next door there is a huge house.
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Adverbs of Time
ENG_C2.0204G
Please note
Adverbs of Time, such as “now,” “next year,”
and “recently” describe the time in which an
action occurs. They are most often placed in
the initial or end position.
Examples:
The movie started a half hour ago.
Yesterday, I swam in the ocean.
I recently went skydiving. (middle position!)
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Adverbs of Time
ENG_C2.0204G
Please note
In the initial position, Adverbs of Time are
often used to contrast one time with
another.
Examples:
Before, the baby was unable to speak at all, but recently she has
begun saying words.
Today was a bad day, but tomorrow will be better.
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Adverbs of Frequency
ENG_C2.0204G
Please note
Adverbs of Frequency, such such as
“constantly,” “never,” and “continuously”
describe the time in which an action occurs.
They can be placed in any position.
Examples:
I drink tea from time to time.
Sometimes I like to go on long walks.
She always works very hard.
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Adverbs of Time/Frequency
ENG_C2.0204G
Writing
Write sentences with these adverbs.
Experiment with different positions!!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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Tomorrow
Always
Earlier
Sometimes
Often
Recently
Never
Today
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Adverbs of Degree
ENG_C2.0204G
Please note
Adverbs of Degree, such as “almost,” “nearly,”
and “entirely” describe the extent to which an
action occurs. They are mostly used in the
middle position.
Examples:
He nearly fell out of the boat.
We hardly ate anything for lunch.
I disagree completely. (end position!)
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ENG_C2.0204G
Review (types of adverbs)
1. linking
Examples: however, consequently, nevertheless
2. manner
Examples: carefully, quickly, gently, slowly
3. place
Examples: here, there, inside, outside, nearby
4. time
Examples: now, then, tomorrow, yesterday
5. frequency
Examples: sometimes, never, constantly
6. degree
Examples: nearly, almost, fully, completely
There are six different types of adverbs, which are
placed in three different sentence positions (initial,
middle and end), depending on the specific adverb
and its type.
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ENG_C2.0204G
Exercises
Writing
Place the following adverbs into the following
categories
linking adverbs – adverbs of place – adverbs of time –
adverbs of manner – adverbs of frequency – adverbs of degree
initial
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middle
end
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ENG_C2.0204G
Exercises
Writing
Classify the following adverbs by type
nevertheless
rarely
far away
completely
over there
tomorrow
hastily
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suddenly
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Exercises
ENG_C2.0204G
Writing
Write sentences with the following adverbs.
1. Nevertheless
2. Rarely
3. Far away
4. Completely
5. Over there
6. Tomorrow
7. Hastily
8. Suddenly
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Thank you
ENG_C2.0204G
We would like to thank
the following sources for their content
Text Adverb,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverb,
Retrieved at 26.2.2015, Creative
Commons license
English Grammar,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English
_grammar,, Retrieved at 26.2.2015,
Creative Commons license
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ENG_C2.0204G
Thank you
for choosing to learn
with
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