Position of adverbs in English
Type | Position | Example |
---|---|---|
Adverbs of Manner | Adverbs of manner are placed after the verb or entire expression (at the end of the sentence). | Their teacher speaks quickly. |
Adverbs of Time | Adverbs of time are placed after the verb or entire expression (at the end of the sentence). | She visited her friends last year. |
Adverbs of Frequency | Adverbs of frequency are placed before the main verb (not the auxiliary verb). | He often goes to bed late.
Do you sometimes get up early? |
Adverbs of Degree | Adverbs of degree are placed after the verb or entire expression (at the end of the sentence). | She'll attend the meeting as well. |
Adverbs of Comment | Adverbs of comment are placed at the beginning of a sentence. | Luckily, I was able to come to the presentation. |
Important Exceptions to Adverb Placement
Some adverbs are placed at the beginning of a sentence to provide more emphasis.
For example: Now you tell me you can't come!
Adverbs of frequency are placed after the verb 'to be' when used as the main verb of the sentence.
For example: Jack is often late for work.
Some adverbs of frequency (sometimes, usually, normally) are also placed at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis.