LINGUISTIC COMPETENCE

THE POSITION OF THE ADVERB

Different kinds of adverbs and adverbials go in different positions in the clause:

1. The front position: before the subject of the sentence. It gives information in
advance, to set the scene for the action that follows.

2. The mid position: the adverb in this position is intimately connected with the
verb, generally placed immediately before it. If there is an auxiliary verb, the adv.
is placed between the auxiliary and main verb (I would never do it); if there are two,
it is placed between them (I have never been asked to join his team). If there is a
negative auxiliary, the adv normally goes after the negative element (I don’t usually
work on Saturday), but we can emphasize negation by placing the adv just before it
(I probably won’t see you.)

3. The end position: at the end of the sentence

The most common cases are:

Type of Adverb Most commonly used Position in Clause

Adverb of frequency Middle position
Adverb of time End position, following adverbs of manner and location
Adverb of manner End position, preceding other adverbs
Connecting adverb Beginning position
Degree adverbs Before the words they describe or emphasize

The following is a detailed list of possibilities. Observe that position may depend on
the meaning of the adverb.

1. The front-position

1. Interrogative adverbs: How are you? When are you coming? Where is he? Why did
you say that?

2. Adv. of affirmation and negation: Yes, I know him quite well.

3. Connecting adv. or discourse markers: however, then, next, besides, as a result,

etc.
Some of them may also be found in the mid position.
However may occupy any of the three positions.
However, it has stopped snowing. It has, however, stopped snowing. It has stopped
snowing, however.

4. Adv. of indefinite frequency: usually, normally, often, frequently, occasionally.

Never, rarely, seldom, etc. require subject-verb inversion.
This type of adv can be placed at any to the three positions; the front and end
positions are emphatic. The mid position is the most frequent and neutral.

5. Certainty: perhaps, maybe. Perhaps he’s not coming in the end.

Other adverbs of certainty go in the mid-position: definitely, probably, certainly.
They are often found as short answers in discourse.

6. Time: the front position is possible if the adv is not the main point of the
sentence. Tomorrow I’m going to Dublin.

7. Place adverbs most often go in the end-p. but can also be positioned at the
beginning of the sentence, specially in literary writing. Next to the bookshelf was a
fireplace.
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When used for emphasis, observe the inversion of the subject: Here is the book! Out
rushed the man!

8. Sentence adv. of comment and viewpoint: personally, in my opinion, hopefully.

2. The mid-position

1. –ly adverbs (manner) can be placed in the mid-p when they’re not the focus of
the message. I slowly began to feel better again. She angrily closed the window. Adv. of
manner usually go at the end-p.

2. Focusing adv. that point to one part of a clause: also, just, even, only, mainly,
either: Your car just needs some oil. He’s been everywhere; he’s even been to Antarctica.
They also live here. However, they can also be found at the front-p, often followed by
a comma, and in end-p.

3. Frequency and indefinite time adv: always, often, seldom, sometimes, soon: He
often goes to the cinema. He’s always busy

4. Some adv of degree: completely, almost, hardly, quite, just : I nearly forgot to tell
you.

5. Comment adv which give the speakers opinion: I stupidly forgot my keys. She has
fortunately left the house.

6. Some adv. of certainty: definitely, probably, obviously, certainly. I will certainly

come.

7. Brief adv of place and definite time: I now see I was wrong; I will here remark that
our products are the best in the market.

3. The end-position

1. We usually place an adverb after an object or complement if there is one: He

studied the problem briefly (wrong: He studied briefly the problem.)

However, if an object or complement is very long, we often put the adverb between
the verb and its object or complement. This is particularly common in journalism:
We considered briefly the long-term solution to the problem. Also to avoid ambiguity: He
told me yesterday what George said.

2. Adv of manner, place and time most often go in this position but we can put them
in front position as in literary or descriptive use. He shut the door angrily. I’ve got a
meeting in Cardiff tomorrow. She brushed her hair slowly.

3. Indefinite frequency adv are commonly found in the mid-p, only if they are the
main focus of attention in the sentence can we place them at the end of the
sentence: I get very depressed sometimes. I go there occasionally.

o When there is more than one adverb in end position, the usual order in written
English is adverb of manner + place + time: In the accident she was thrown violently
against the door. (= manner + place)

However, if one adverb is much longer than another then it is usually placed last:
They left at 3.00 with a great deal of noise. (= time + manner)

o If there are 2 adv of time, the first one is the most detailed one: The next meeting
will be on Thursday, March 19th 2009.

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