Language/English/Grammar/Possible-Positions-of-Adverbs-in-a-Sentence

Possible Positions of Adverbs in a Sentence in English

Introduction

Adverbs are words that modify a verb, adjective or other adverb. Adverbs can be placed before the verb in a sentence, after the verb in a sentence, or at the beginning of a sentence.

A sentence with an adverb before the verb is called an inverted sentence. Inverted sentences are typically used for emphasis or to add emotion to a statement. Inverted sentences are also used to create dramatic pauses in dialogue and when writing poetry.

Adverb Placement with Prepositions & Conjunctions

The placement of adverbs with conjunctions and prepositions is a common grammar issue. When it comes to the placement, there are two rules that you should be aware of:

1. Adverbs should come before the conjunction if they are part of the same sentence.
2. Adverbs should come after the conjunction if they are not part of the same sentence.

These rules apply to both simple sentences and compound sentences.

Adjacent and Non-adjacent Adverb Placement

Adjacent and non-adjacent sentences are two different types of sentence structures. Adjacent sentences are sentences that can be joined by a semicolon or a comma and yet still make sense. Non-adjacent sentences cannot be joined by a semicolon or comma and they must be separated by a period.

Adverbs can be placed in the following ways: adjacent, non-adjacent, before the verb, after the verb, before the subject, after the subject. The placement of adverbs depends on their function. Adverbs that describe how an action is done should go before the verb while adverbs that describe how an action was done should go after the verb.

Examples

At the beginning of a sentence

(usually to emphasize a point).

• Finally, we found our way back to the camp.

In the middle of a sentence

• The philanthropist rarely reveals his identity when he makes his donations.

At the end of a sentence, after a verb

• She screamed loudly.

Classes of Adverbs

Adverbs may be categorised into the following classes:

• Manner : gracefully, sadly, slowly, well

• Time : before, now, since, eventually

• Place : here, there, everywhere, nowhere

• Degree : almost, quite, very, rather

• Number : once, twice

• Interrogative: where, when, how

Sources

• https://www.languagecouncils.sg/goodenglish/-/media/sgem/document/additional-sgem-resources/pdf/grammar-rules-_-speak-good-english-movement.pdf?la=en
• https://www.thoughtco.com/inversion-definition-1209968
• https://www.vocabulary.com/articles/wc/adverb-placement-generally-and-specifically/

Other Lessons

• Subjunctive mood
• CONJUNCTIONS
• Express Past
• Negations
• Miscellaneous collocations
• Formation of Adjectives
• The Hyphen and The Dash
• Indefinite Article
• After all
• Collocations with pay