ADVERBS
 
a - An adverb can be one word (well) or an adverbial phrase (in the car).

b - manner - time - place

  • Adverbs of manner tell us HOW something happens
  • Adverbs of place tell us WHERE something happens.
  • Adverbs of time tell us WHEN something happens.
     

c - Adverbs of manner, place and (definite) time normally go after the direct object.

  • I read the letter carefully at home yesterday.

d - If there's no direct object the adverb normlly goes after the verb.

  • She drove dangerously.

e - If there is more than 1 adverb, the usual order is: manner + place + time (MPT)

  • We worked hard at school yesterday. (hard = manner / at school = place / yesterday = time)

f - Note that an adverb does not normally go between a verb and its direct object.

  • He drank his coffee quickly.

g - Adverbs of time can also go at the beginning of a clause.

  • Tomorrow I have to go to the dentist's.

h - An adverb normally goes before a full verb.

  • They usually practise football on Wednesdays.

i - But an adverb normally goes after the verb be or an auxiliary verb, like have, will, can, ...

  • He's probably not home now. I can never remember his birthday.
Obviously the gate hadn't been locked during the night.
The soldier silently mounted his horse and rode away.
Ella arrived safely.
 
Adverbs and adverb phrases can appear at the beginning or at the end of a sentence. Single word adverbs can also appear in the middle of a sentence.

a - Adverbs of frequency

Where do we place the adverbs of frequency such as always, generally, never, ...?
1. Before the main verb:

  • Kenny never brought his diary to school.

2. After the first auxiliary:

  • Julie has always been loyal to her boss.

3. After to be:

  • Mo was never late.

4. Before the auxiliary in short answers and in additions to remarks:

  • Are you always too early? Yes, I usually am.

b - Adverbs of manner, place and time

An adverbs can be one word (probably) or an adverbial phrase (in the kitchen). We distinguish between adverbs of manner (how?), adverbs of place (where?) and adverbs of time (when?).

  • Ann spoke well (m) at the meeting (p) last weekend (t).

Position

1 - Adverbs of manner, place and (definite) time normally go after the direct object.

  • I have learned my lessons well.

2 - If there is no direct object, the adverb normally goes after the verb.

  • He drives quickly.

3 - If there is more than one adverb, the usual order is manner + time + place?

  • We studied a lot in our room last week.

4 - Adverbs of manner, place and time can also go at the beginning of a sentence.

  • Last weekend Ann spoke well at the meeting.
  • Yesterday he saw her at 6 o'clock.

 

With verbs of movement the adverbs of place comes immediately after the verb.

  • She went to the doctor's by car yesterday.