Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Department of English Language Teaching

Online Certificate Course in English
Ishari Maduwanthi

Position of Adverbs

Mid-sentence adverbs stand in front of verbs in the simple present and simple past tenses. They follow forms of
be in simple present and simple past tenses, and they stand between an auxiliary verb and a main verb.

⁂ BEFORE SIMPLE PRESENT AND PAST TENSES

⁑ We seldom have dessert after dinner.
⁑ My brother often spent his free time playing his guitar.
⁑ I rarely talk on the phone for more than a few minutes.
⁑ Tom frequently asks an embarrassing question.

⁂ FOLLOWING SIMPLE PRESENT AND PAST TENSES OF be

⁑ Anna is always there on time.
⁑ Bill was sometimes late for an appointment.
⁑ Her husband is never around when she needs him.
⁑ The children are apparently in very good health.
⁂ BETWEEN AN AUXILIARY VERB AND MAIN VERB
⁑ John can never face his parents again.
⁑ Anna has always gotten there on time.
⁑ They have often traveled abroad.
⁑ Do you regularly shop in this store?

1. Rewrite each sentence, placing never in the appropriate position. Then, rewrite the sentence with
rarely.
EXAMPLE: I spoke with his aunt.
He never spoke with his aunt
He rarely spoke with his aunt
1. We had arranged a surprise party for them.
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. Grandfather was in a good mood.
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. My brother could fix his own car.
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. They will go to Alaska in the winter.
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
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5. The soprano from France sang at the Hilton.
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………..

2. Underline the word that correctly completes each sentence.

1. Joseph is a meticulous | meticulously writer. He writes meticulous | meticulously.
2. Catherine asked me an easy | easily question. I was unable to answer her question, but my friend Anjali
answered it easy | easily.
3. Pedro speaks loud | loudly. He has a loud | loudly voice.
4. Because the movie had already started, I entered the movie theater quiet | quietly.
5. Sophie secretive | secretly liked the boy.
6. Ali speaks Arabic very good | well. He has very good | well pronunciation.

3. Rewrite each sentence, using the adverb in parentheses correctly in the sentence.
1. Catherine has finished writing the essay due tomorrow. (already)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Helen is at Jason’s house. (seldom)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Does he go to her house? (always)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. He goes hiking to get away from it all and relax. (often)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. She should tell him the truth. (always)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. Eric has seen the ocean. (never)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
7. Steven produces his electronic music on his laptop. (often)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8. Anna is at the club on Tuesday nights. (often)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
9. Vince goes to the movies, because he prefers staying home. (rarely)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
10. I don’t ask for a girl’s number if I don’t know her. (generally)
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