The position of an adverb in sentences
ADVERB’S PLACE IN A SENTENCE
Adverbs may appear in three different places in a sentence:
| the beginning | before the subject |
|---|---|
| in the middle | before the main verb or between an auxiliary and main verb |
| the end | at the end of a sentence |
Suddenly, I saw a car in front of me.
I often go to school by bus.
I have never been to Greece.
I don’t sleep well.
AT THE BEGINNING OF A SENTENCE
At the beginning of a sentence, there usually stand adverbs of probability or adverb “suddenly”:
Apparently, he didn’t know the answer.
Suddenly, I realized I had seen him somewhere before.
There may appear adverbs of time (interchangeably with the last part in a sentence):
Eventually, it was all over.
It was all over, eventually.
IN THE MIDDLE OF A SENTENCE
If the object is a more extended-expression, then adverb of manner (directly describing a verb) will appear in the middle, before a verb to keep clarity.
In the middle of a sentence may also appear adverbs of frequency as always, often, never, sometimes, usually:
Betty always wears the same shoes.
I usually spend my holidays somewhere in France.
These adverbs may be used at the beginning or at the end of a sentence to emphasize:
I sometimes feel blue.
I feel blue sometimes. Longer adverbial phrases are put usually at the end of a sentence.
I go to the cinema at least once a week.
Adverbs of degree may also appear in the middle of a sentence.
Adverbs modifying an adjective always will stand before it.
Adverbs modifying a verb must be put before the main verb in a sentence.
The streets were almost empty.
I almost fell over.
AT THE END OF A SENTENCE
Adverbs of place, time and manner will appear at the end of a sentence.
She’s talking to her husband now.
The children are playing outside.
I speak English quite well.
