WORD ORDER:

ADVERBS

BASIC WORD ORDER IN ENGLISH

(TIME) SUBJECT + VERB + OBJECT(S) + ADVERBIAL PHRASE(S)

thing + to + personperson + thing

place + time

Susan went to school on Monday.

I eat bananas twice a week.

My father gave me a present for my birthday.

We will send this letter to Peter tomorrow morning.

Last week, I didn’t enjoy Sam’s party.

ADVERBS• BEGINNING OF SENTENCE BEGINNING OF SENTENCE (before the subject(before the subject):):

Connecting adverbs: Then, next, however, suddenly, etc.Suddenly, the door opened.Next, a ghost floated into the room.

Comment adverbs: Luckily, unluckily, fortunately, surprisingly, stupidly, etc.Stupidly, I forgot my keys.Fortunately, she has decided to help us.

Frequency adverbs (special emphasis, indefinite frequency): usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes and occasionally (NOT: always, ever, rarely, seldom and never).Sometimes I think I’d like to live somewhere else.Usually I get up early.

Some adverbs of certainty: maybe, perhaps.Maybe I’m right.Perhaps her train is late.

Adverbs of place (special emphasis): here, there, at the end, etc.Here comes your bus. (The word order changes in this sentence.)

There she is.On the bus sat a pretty girl with a blue hat. (The word order changes here.)

Adverbs of time (special emphasis): today, in 1956, etc.Today, I’m going to London.In June, we went to Cornwall.

• MID-POSITION (before the main verb, MID-POSITION (before the main verb, after an auxiliary verb or after “be”after an auxiliary verb or after “be”))::

Adverbs of certainty: certainly, definitely, clearly, obviously, probably He probably thinks you don’t like him.There is clearly something wrong.It will certainly rain today.

Adverbs of frequency: never, rarely, sometimes, often, usually, always, ever, seldom, etc. We usually go to Scotland in August.I’m seldom late for work.

Focusing adverbs: even, only, also, mainly, etc.She’s also my friend.We are only going for two days.

Some adverbs of time: already, still, finally, eventually, soon, last, just She’s still working in the office.They’ve just arrived.

Adverbs of manner (when they are not important): slowly, suddenly, happily, etc.I slowly started to feel better again.We will happily start moving to London next month.

Some adverbs of degree: almost, greatly, mostly, etc.She’s almost finished.He totally agrees with you.

• END OF SENTENCE END OF SENTENCE (after the verb(after the verb):):

Adverbs of manner: slowly, suddenly, badly, quietly, etc. He drove off angrily.You speak English well.

Adverbs of place: upstairs, around, here, to bed, from school, etc.The children are playing upstairs.Come and sit here.

Frequency expressions (definite frequency) : once a month, every week, etc.She buys the newspaper twice a week.I visit my grandma every day.

Adverbs of time: today, finally, soon, yet, etc.I’m going to Paris today.She’ll be coming soon.

Expressions of purpose: to + infinitive, in order to + infinitive, etc.I will use this new red pen to mark the exams.You have to study in order to pass the school year.

If there’s more than one adverb after the verb, the correct order is:

Manner + place + frequency + time + purpose1 2 3 4 5

Beth swims enthusiastically in the pool every morning before lunch to keep in shape.

Adverbs can also modify adjectives and other adverbs:

He is very talkative. Mark is exceptionally bright. adverb + adjective adverb + adjective

He speaks too slowly. Tom ran extremely fast. adverb + adverb adverb + adverb

Commas with adverbs:

• Use a comma after certain adverbs: however, in fact, therefore, nevertheless, moreover, furthermore, still, instead, too (meaning 'also').Therefore, he didn't say a word.

• If these adverbs appear in the middle of a sentence, they are enclosed in commas.The thief, however, was very clever.

• The comma is optional in many cases, depending on the context and on the intention of the writer. So, she entered the house. So she entered the house.

Word OrderAdverbs

• With minor changes over a presentation by terefernan.