Position of adverbs – Grammar chart

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Initial position, mid position and final position

We can put adverbs and adverb phrases in three positions: initial position,
mid position, or final position.

Initial position: at the beginning of the sentence.

• Sometimes I feel a bit lost.

• Yesterday I went to the library.

Final position: at the end of the sentence.

• She arrived very late.

• We have to move quickly.

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, although 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. (NOT: was injured seriously)

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.

Comment adverbs
Viewpoint or comment adverbs, e.g. obviously, luckily, unfortunately,
honestly, etc., are normally placed in initial position.

• Unfortunately, we arrived half an hour late.

• Ideally, we should leave at 10.00.

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 and 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 pizza a lot. (NOT I like a lot pizza)

• He speaks English very well. (NOT He speaks very well English)
Position of adverbs and adverb phrases

Exercise 3

Rewrite the sentences including the adverbs in

parentheses. Place the adverbs into their MOST
COMMON position in the sentence. Use COMMAS when
necessary

1The house was damaged in the flood. (badly, last summer)

⇒ The house .

2We must do something. (obviously, quickly) ⇒ .

3Liam is at his friend's house. (sometimes, in the evening)

⇒ .

4He ran in and he didn't say hello. (just, even) ⇒ He

5She drives fast. (often, extremely) ⇒ .

6Anna danced in the ballet. (wonderfully, last night) ⇒

Anna .

7My father wasn't injured when he fell. (luckily, seriously)

⇒ .

8Tom broke his arm when he was skiing. (apparently,

nearly) ⇒ .

9My mother sleeps in the afternoon. (usually, a little) ⇒

My mother .

10I will be leaving tomorrow. (probably, early) ⇒ I .