Raymat's Tips Index and Contents

Adverbs

KINDS OF ADVERBS : While we often consider that words which end in -ly are adverbs, we must consider how the words are used. They show: 
Frequency (how often?): always, never, seldom, ever; 
Time and relative time (when?): now, then, on May 7, yesterday, at 10 a.m., yet, recently, soon;
Place (where?): here, there, in Chicago, at home; 
Manner (how?): easily, with difficulty, by plane, carefully, by hand, well, not

POSITIONS OF ADVERBS IN SENTENCES  
Frequency 
Usually middle position (before the main verb, but after the verb to be): hardly, ever, always, almost always, never, usually, often EXAMPLES: He always studies his homework. He never drives his new car. He is often hungry. They were usually very friendly. 
Initial or middle position: sometimes, occasionally, frequently EXAMPLE: Sometimes they study their homework. 
Middle or final position: twice, once, once a day, once a month, every day, every month, all the time, from time to time EXAMPLES: They drove their new car twice. They were friendly all the time.

Time / Definite time before or after the main clause EXAMPLES: They arrived at 10 p.m. Yesterday Pat bought a new car. Relative timeCmiddle position: just, already, still, lately, recently, soon Relative timeCfinal position: yet EXAMPLES: They just arrived. Kelly still drives an old car. They haven't finished yet.

Place / Position before or after the main clause EXAMPLES: We moved to a new house. In Chicago, they were very comfortable Manner Position at end of clause or middle of clause; for emphasis, place at beginning EXAMPLES: Pat cleaned the room carefully. Pat carefully cleaned the room. Carefully, Pat cleaned the room.  Well - always place well in the final position. EXAMPLE: Pat cleaned the room well.

SPECIAL NOTES: When you have several adverbs of time or place in one clause, arrange them so that the specific one comes before the general ones. EXAMPLE: Chris arrived at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2001.

If you have multiple adverbs in one sentence, place time adverbs at the beginning and put manner and place (in that order) at the end. Or, put all the end in this order: manner, place, time. EXAMPLES: On Mondays, they usually send flowers cheerfully to their mother. They usually send flowers cheerfully to their mother on Mondays.

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Last revision: November 11, 2001