Adverbs and word order

A Where do adverbs go?

There are three places in the sentences where an adverb can go. They are called front position (at the beginning of a sentence), mid position (see B) and end position (at the end of a sentence). (But for adverbs of degree see Unit 115.)

FRONT MID END

Then the ship slowly sailed away. Outside it was obviously raining hard.

B Mid position

Mid position means close to the verb. Here are some examples of adverbs in mid position.

The adverb comes after the first auxiliary, e.g. are, has, don't.

If there is no auxiliary, then the adverb comes before the main verb, e.g. hate, left.

Note the word order in questions.

Has Andrew always liked Jessica? Do you often go out in the evening?

When the verb be is on its own, the adverb usually comes after it.

The boss is usually in a bad temper. You're certainly a lot better today.

When there is stress on the main verb be or on the auxiliary, then the adverb usually comes before it. You certainly are a lot better today. I really have made a mess, haven't I?

C Verb and object

An adverb does not usually go between the verb and the direct object. We put it in end position, after the object.

VERB OBJECT ADVERB

Tom ate his breakfast quickly. not Tom-ate-quickly his'-breakfast.
We played volleyball yesterday, not We played yesterday volleyball.

I like classical music very much, not I like very much classical music.

But an adverb can go before a long object.

Detectives examined carefully the contents of the dead man's pockets.

D Adverbs of manner

An adverb of manner tells us how something happens, e.g. noisily, quickly. It usually goes in end position, but an adverb which ends in ly can sometimes go in mid position. We asked permission politely. We politely asked permission.

E Adverbs of place and time

Adverbs and adverbial phrases of place and time usually go in end position.

Is there a phone box nearby? People didn't have cars then.

We're meeting by the entrance. Trevor wasn't very well last week.

Did you have a nice time in New York? I'll see you before very long. Sometimes they can go in front position.

We're really busy this week. Last week we had nothing to do.

Some short adverbs of time can also go in mid position.

I'll soon find out. The train is now approaching Swindon. For yet, still and already see Unit 114.

F Adverbs of frequency

An adverb of frequency tells us 'how often'. It usually goes in mid position (see B).

Mark is always in such a hurry. I sometimes feel depressed.

I've often thought about getting married. Do you usually work so late? Normally, usually, often, sometimes and occasionally can also go in front or end position.

Normally Sarah goes by train. 1 feel depressed sometimes.

Phrases like every day, once a week or most evenings go in front or end position. Every day we go logging. Rachel has a driving lesson three times a week. There's a news summary every hour. We watch television most evenings.

G Sentence adverbs

A sentence adverb is a word or phrase like certainly, perhaps, luckily, of course. It says something about the situation described in the sentence. The adverb can go in front, mid or end position. Sometimes we put a comma after or before the adverb, especially in front or end position.

Fortunately, the weather stayed fine. Maybe you'll win a free holiday.

We'll probably have to queue for tickets. Rachel was late, of course. In a negative sentence, probably and certainly come before won't, didn't, etc.

We probably won't get there in time. I certainly didn't expect a present!

Also usually goes in mid position, but too and as well go in end position.

Melanie bakes lovely cakes. She also makes bread./She makes bread, too/as well.

H End position

There can be more than one adverb or adverbial phrase in end position. Usually a single-word adverb (e.g. safely) comes before a phrase (e.g. on a small airfield).

They landed safely on a small airfield. I always eat here at lunch-time.

When there is a close link in meaning between a verb and an adverb, then that adverb goes next to the verb. For example, with verbs of movement like go, come and move, a phrase of place comes before time.

I usually go to bed early.

Tom came here yesterday.

My parents moved to London in 1993.

But often two adverbial phrases can go in either order. The concert was held at the arts centre last night. The concert was held last night at the arts centre.

113 Exercises

1 Adverbs (A-B)

Read each sentence and write down the word which is an adverb.

► I'm just finishing an interesting article in this magazine, just

1 We have to leave our dirty shoes outside.

2 Perhaps you have to type a password into the computer.

3 Someone always leaves this door open.

4 Obviously we aren't going to go for a walk in the rain.

5 The car rolled silently down the hill.

6 Your friend Andrew works hard, doesn't he?

2 Adverbs and their position (A-B)

Read this true story. Some adverbs are underlined. Say if their position is front, mid or end.

Once a man called Alvin decided to rob a bank in Montgomery, Alabama. Alvin's parents had often told him that good manners were important. So Alvin went to the bank and stood in line. He waited patiently Soon it was his turn. He dramatically pulled out a gun and threatened the cashier. She politely told him tl he was in the wrong line and should go to another counter. Alvin immediately went to the correct place a stood in line again. Suddenly the police rushed in and arrested him. Alvin was amazed. They'd caught hir before he'd even done the robbery. The moral of the story is that you shouldn't always do what your pare: tell you.

ADVERB POSITION ADVERB POSITION

► once front

1 often 6 immediately

2 patiently 7 again

3 soon 8 suddenly

4 dramatically 9 even

5 politely 10 always

3 Mid position (B)

Complete the conversations using the words in brackets. Put the adverbs in the best place.

► Emma: Did you know the man who tried to steal your bag? (certainly / recognize / would)
Vicky: No, but I would certainly recognize him again.

1 David: That was a goal, wasn't it? (clearly / crossed)

Tom: Yes, the ball............................................................... the line.

2 Mark: The weather is a lot better today, (probably / rain / will)

Sarah: It said on the radio it........................................................................ later.

3 Tom: How do we get to Mike's place? (didn't / fully / understand)

Nick: I don't know. I................................................................ the directions.

4 Harriet: It's quiet here today, isn't it? (usually / are)

Laura: Yes, the neighbours ................................................................... out on a Sunday

5 Emma: Have you been to this place before? (it / occasionally / visited)

Matthew: Yes, I.................................................................................... as a child

6 Alan: Did the computers crash this morning? (soon / were / working)

Mark: Yes, but they............................................................................................ again.

7 Melanie: Your friend's late, Vicky, (forgotten / has / obviously)

Vicky: Rachel..................................................................................... ... that we arranged to go out.

4 Adverbs of frequency (B, F)

Look at what people are saying and write the information in one sentence.

Put the adverb or adverbial phrase in mid or end position. Choose the best position.

? Vicky: I lose my way in London. It always happens.
Vicky always loses her way in London.

? Laura: The birds wake me up. It happens every morning.
The birds wake Laura up every morning.

1 David: It rains when I'm on holiday. Well, usually.

2 Rita: My friend visits me. She comes most weekends.

3 Mark: I get a pay rise. I get one every year.

4 Rachel: I don't check my work. 1 never do that.

5 Adverbs and word order (A-G)

Put the words in the right order and write the statements. Sometimes there is more than one possible order.

► cleaned / every day / is / the office The office is cleaned every day.

1 always / I've / known / your secret

2 afford / can't / certainly / a new car / we

3 didn't / far / the tourists / walk

4 carefully / cut / the paper / Tom

5 also / can / Natasha / play / the violin

6 I / most days / read / the newspaper

6 Adverbs in end position (H)

Complete these sentences from a newspaper. Put the words and phrases in the best order.

► The Queen has visited the show regularly since 1985 (regularly / since 1985).

1 The President died ……………………………………………………(at his home / peacefully).

2 The protesters marched .………………………………………….(through the streets / yesterday).

3 The Prime Minister went............................................. ……………………..(last year / to Greece).

4 Henry likes Rome. He spent a week............................................ ……………………(in June / there).

7 Adverbs and word order (A-H)

Read the postcard from Olivia to her friend Kirsty and write the sentences. Put the adverbs in the best place.

(►)Thank you for having us (last weekend). (1) We had a lovely time (in the country). (2) We arrived home at about eight (safely). (3) You must come and visit us (before too long). (4) It's nice to see you and Tony (always). (5) You'll be able to come in the new year (maybe). (6) We'll see you (sometime).

► Thank you for having us last weekend.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Yet means that we are expecting something. (It's the time to book a holiday.)

Still means 'going on longer than expected'. (It's late to be thinking about a holiday.)

Already means 'sooner than expected'. (It's early to have had a holiday.)

B Yet

Yet usually goes at the end of a negative statement or a question.

Vicky has got a present, but she hasn't opened it yet. Wait a minute. I'm not ready yet. Have they sent you your cheque yet? ~ No, not yet. I should get it next week.

C Still and already

In a positive statement, still and already usually go in mid position (see Unit 113B). Sarah isn't home yet. She's still at work. We wrote a month ago, and we're still waiting for a reply. I've only been at work an hour, and I'm already exhausted. There's no need to tell me. I already know.

We can also use still in a negative statement. It goes before haven't, can't, etc.

It's nearly lunch-time, and you still haven't opened your mail.

My friend is sixteen, and she still can't swim. Compare these sentences. The meanings are similar.

Rita hasn't booked a holiday yet. Rita still hasn't booked a holiday. Still is stronger than yet. It often expresses surprise that the situation has gone on for so long.

In a question still and already usually go after the subject.

Are you still waiting after all this time? Has Tom already been on holiday?

D No longer and any longer/any more

No longer means that something is finished. It goes in mid position (see Unit 113B). You can't buy these bikes now. They no longer make them. I used to belong to the sports club, but I'm no longer a member.

No longer can be a little formal. In informal speech we use not... any longer or not... anymore.

They don't make these bikes any longer/any more.

Rita has moved. She doesn't live here any longer/any more. Any longer/any more comes at the end.

12A Yet and already with the present perfect

114 Exercises

1 Yet, still and already (A)

Put in yet, still or already.

► Mark: I know it isn't lunch-time yet, but I'm really hungry.

Sarah: It's only eleven. And you've already had two coffees since breakfast.

1 Vicky: You've ……………….. got this library book, and it was due back ten days ago.
Rachel: Well, I haven't finished it..................................................................

2 Nick: Tom is a very slow eater, isn't he? He's......................................... having his soup.

David: And we've .......................... started our pudding.

3 Trevor: Has the postman been................................... ? I'm expecting a letter from the bank.

Laura: Yes, he has, but that letter.................................. hasn't arrived.

2 Word order with yet, still and already (A)

Put the word in brackets into one of the sentences.

? I've bought some CDs. I haven't played them, (yet)
/ haven't played them yet.

? This calculator works. I've had it for ages, (still)
This calculator still works.

1 I owe Emma £20.1 can't ask her for more, (already)

2 We've spent all our money. And we're only halfway through our holiday, (already)

3 I've cleaned this window. But it looks dirty, (still)

4 Our friend took some photos. We haven't seen them, (yet)

5 I can't understand the rules. I know you explained them to me. (still)

3 Still and any more (C-D)

Two people are talking about the place they live in. Write the replies using still or not... any more.

Old man: Young man:

? There was a church. ~ Well, there's still a church.

? You could see fields. ~ You can't see them any more. Now it's just houses.

1 Children played there. ~ Not now....................................

2 Boats came along the river. ~ Oh, .............................. . Look at them.

3 The view was beautiful. ~ Well, ............................................. . It's awful.

4 It was our home. ~ And......................................

\ Yet, still, already, no longer and any longer/any more (A-D)

Put in already, any more, no longer, still and yet.

► It's still raining, look. How much longer can it go on?

1 The railway closed down years ago, so there's……………………. a railway station here.

2 They want to build a new hotel here, but they haven't got permission .…………………

3 Rita isn't going out with Nick. She told him she didn't want to see him…………………… __

4 Those people moved here only three months ago, and they're…………………..leaving.

Laura is a bit tired. She's been Mark is quite tired. He's been Sarah is very tired. She's had to

working all morning. working all day. work late at the office.

An adverb of degree makes the meaning weaker or stronger. Here are some more examples.

small decree (weaker) medium degree large degree (stronger)

a little late fairly unusual absolutely sure really ill

slightly complicated pretty good completely mad

rather nice extremely cold

B Very cold, quite quickly, etc

An adverb of degree (e.g. very) goes before an adjective (e.g. cold) or an adverb (e.g. quickly).

ADVERB + ADJECTIVE ADVERB + ADVERB

It's very cold today. The time passed quite quickly.

Rita looked rather upset. We go on holiday fairly soon.

This dress is absolutely marvellous. United played extremely well.

Before a comparative we can use a bit, a little, a lot, far, much, rather and slightly. See also Unit 112B. I'm feeling a lot better today. These new trains go much faster.

C Really hurting, quite enjoys, etc

Some adverbs of degree can describe a verb.

They usually go in mid position (close to the verb — see Unit 113B).

My foot is really hurting. Laura quite enjoys shopping. I rather like this cake. Some adverbs of degree go at the end ol a sentence when they describe a verb. They are a bit, a little, a lot, awfully, much and terribly.

Mark travels a lot. I'll open the window a little. The animals suffer terribly.

Absolutely, completely and totally can go in mid position or at the end. We completely lost our way/We lost our way completely. I'm afraid I totally disagree./I'm afraid I disagree totally.

D Much

Now look at these sentences.

Positive: I like this town very much, not I like this town much

Negative: / don't like this town very much, or I don't like this town much.

In a positive statement we use very much. In a negative statement we can use either very much or much.

116 More about quite and rather 117 Too and enough

► (quite hungry or very hungry?) He's quite hungry. 3 ……………… (quite strong or very strong?)

1 (a bit busy or very busy?) ……………………….. 4 ………… (fairly happy or extremely happy?)

2 (a bit thirsty or really thirsty?) ...........................

2 Very, quite and a bit (A)

Put in very, quite or a bit.

► The bus service is all right. The buses are quite frequent.

1 I couldn't sleep because of the awful noise. The disco was…………. noisy.

2 The weather was OK - at least it didn't rain. It was ................ good.

3 The train was almost on time. It was just………….. late.

4 Someone paid a great deal of money for the house. It was………….. expensive.

5 There were some very small traces of mud on the boots. They were………….. .. dirty.

6 There was a medium amount of traffic on the road. It was…………….busy.

3 Very cold, really hurting, etc (B-D)

Put the adverbs in the right place. Sometimes more than one answer is correct.

? These books are old (very). These books are very old.

? I hate travelling by air (really). I really hate travelling by air.

1 That radio is loud (a bit).

2 1 like my new job (quite).

3 Why don't you slow down (a little)?

4 The rain spoilt our day (completely).

5 We did the job quickly (fairly).

6 I feel better now (a lot).

7 We enjoyed the concert (very much).

8 My arms ached (terribly).

4 Adverbs of degree (A-D)

Complete the advertisement for holiday apartments by choosing the correct words.

Why not take this opportunity to buy a wonderful Interlux Timeshare apartment in San Manila? These are (►) a bit/rather/really luxurious apartments set in this (1) absolutely/slightly magnificent seaside resort, a (2) fairly/really beautiful and unspoilt place, which you'll like (3) much/very/very much. The apartments are (4) extremely/pretty/quite good value. And we are a company with a (5) fairly/quite/very good reputation. This is a (6) bit/slightly/totally safe way of investing your money. But hurry! People are buying up the apartments (7) a lot/very/very much quickly.

Date: 2014-12-22; view: 1899