Dear friends! I have been asked this question so many times that I decided to start such a discussion. I hope you will read what I have written and ask me questions if you have some. The following are basic grammar rules. Of course, in some particular sentences they may be violated because of this or that reason. So, I would like you to ask me the particular questions with examples, OK? Well, I am starting!
The greatest problem with adverbs is where to place them in a sentence. Let's make a plan of this topic.
1. Parenthesis
2.Adverbs inside different predicates (simple, compound, complex)
3. Adverbs used with the gerund
4. Adverbs with the infinitive
5. Adverbs with the participle.
6. Adverbs with adjectives.
Let's start from the beginning.
1. A parenthesis is one word or an expression that can be placed before a subject. Some adverbs can be used like that but not those we use inside a predicate or after objects. I have never seen the list of such adverbs and I doubt if there is one. I will list most usable:
However, anyway, therefore, hence, nevertheless, moreover, since , yet (as however) and many others.
In good dictionaries they should be marked in the appropriate way.
2. How to use an adverb inside a predicate.
It depends on the tenses. First of all, there are some adverbs that are placed only inside a predicate.
They are:
often, usually, generally, rarely, seldom, sometimes (mostly Simple Tenses)
still (mostly Continuous)
just, never, ever, already, always (mostly Perfect Tenses)
I say "mostly" because they can be used in other tenses.
Let's consider some examples.
a) Simple Present and Past Tenses.
We should place an adverb before all verbs (predicates) except "be":
I usually get up early.
She rarely missed classes.
I just wanted to say what I mean.
If a predicate is "be", we place an adverb after it.
He is often late.
She is still single.
The same is about other adverbs:
I occasionally have a rest at the sea.
He is occasionally late for class.
b) Present and Past Continuous
An Adverb should be after "be":
I am still thinking about you.
He was attentively listening to what he was being told.
c) Present and Past Perfect and Perfect Continuous.
In these tenses we place an adverb after have/has/had:
He has never been like that!
She has just arrived.
I have already been waiting for you for an hour!
He knew the way as he had often been there before.
d) Future simple and continuous.
In these tenses an adverb should be after "will":
When I leave, I will often call you.
You will still be sleeping when I come back.
e) Future Perfect and Perfect Continuous.
An adverb should be after have:
I will have already got my diploma before you arrive.
She will have constantly been studying English for a year before you arrive.
There are a few adverbs always used at the end of a sentence. They are:
yet, lately, recently, already (in British):
He hasn't come, yet.
I have seen him recently/lately.
Most of adverbs (except above-mentioned) can be used either inside(before) a predicate or after objects:
He attentively listened to my story
or
He listened to my story attentively.
If there is one object, it is of no matter where to place an adverb. However, if there are a few objects or some complex object, it is better to place an adverb inside a predicate:
He kindly presented her a great car (two objects).
I attentively listened to him telling about his trip (complex object, participle).
3. If an adverb is used as a definition of a gerund, it is always placed directly after a gerund (if there are no objects) or after all objects:
She doesn't approve of his driving carelessly.
I would appreciate your sending me the documents immediately.
4. If an adverb is used as a definition of an infinitive, there may be two cases:
a) an adverb belongs to the group of the adverbs placed only inside a predicate. Such an adverb is used before an infinitive:
He promised never to do it again.
b) all other adverbs are used after an infinitive phrase:
I like to read slowly and attentively.
5. If an adverb is used as a definition of a participle, there may be a few cases:
a) The participle II (used as a definition of a noun). In this case we place an adverb beforea participle:
The newly painted fence was still wet.
I couldn't go to sleep because of a noisily crying baby.
He managed to notice the light hardly being seen in the twilight.
b) the Participle I (used as a modifier of action or time). There may be two cases:
1) if there are no objects after a participle, an adverb is placed after a participle:
The children were crossing the street laughing loudly.
2) if there are objects or other modifiers after a participle, an adverb is usually placedbefore it:
I saw a men slowly walking to the gate.
If we use perfect forms in the case 2), we usually place an adverb like this:
Having quickly eaten his dinner he rushed out.
She fainted having been suddenly informed about the crash.
As you can see, the principles of using adverbs defining predicates and verbals are the same.
6. If we use adverbs with adjectives we place an adverb before an adjective:
This book is very informative and interesting.
He turned out to be unexpectedly knowledgeable .
I hope, I have answered to most of your questions about adverbs. If you have any others, just ask me. I am always glad to help.
Replies
Dear Tanya,
It is understandable that you always try to do something useful to members in this forum. Your endeavor is highly appreciated without any hesitation. Dear teacher, I am having a problem in writing essays and some different articles in English; actually, I can mange to write something in English, but I am afraid at times as to how to organize words/sentences in correct order to make a complete sense at the end of the write-up. Please let me have some advice about how to organize an essay/article (or how to plan an essay/article). Please help me.
Bimal.
Dear Bimal! I would be glad to help you, but I don't really know how! Your written English is good enough to explain your thoughts. I think your problem is not related to a foreign language. So, if you want to write something, you should make a plan. It should contain an introduction ( a few common sentences about what you are going to write about), a body where you explain your ideas and a short summary where you make some conclusions. As to essays, I am attaching some samples. As to articles, just read a few in English.
Have a great weekend!
TOEFL essay samples.doc
Thanks Tanya,
I am saving your blog, will read it later thoroughly :))
I especailly like idea of making plan to understand it.
Lately, you reached the school; Your Class Teacher asked the reason.
It's a wrong way of using Lately here? Please correct me.
Dear Sandeep! Your sentence is incorrect. I got your idea, though. Here are correct options:
You had been late for classes, so, your teacher asked the reason.
Your teacher asked why you had been late for classes.
Your teacher asked about the reason of your being late for classes.
As to me, I like the second option most of all. It sounds natural in such a situation.
You should know, that late and lately have different meanings.
Late is used as an adjective and adverb and means doing something or taking place after the expected, proper, or usual time (your example):
It is late spring now. (adjective)
You came home too late yesterday. (adverb)
Lately is an adverb that means not long ago, recently. It is used at the end of the sentence:
I have read this book lately.
Is it clear? Feel free asking me more questions.
Here is the link to the level test. It will help you to identify your English level.
http://www.kingsmore.co.uk/english-level-test.html
Have a nice day!
Dear Arif! Not exactly. Some of them are still used in formal, technical, scientific language. You can also come across these words in novels. I worked as a translator of technical/scientific literature and I met some of those words in different texts. When I write official letters (or something like that) I often use "hence" as a parenthesis and in other ways. It means "as a sequence, as a result". For example:
Many vehicle journeys (and hence a lot of pollution) would be saved.
We have spent much money this month. Hence, we are broke.
"Hence" and "whence" are still used. But, please, give me some time to complete this explanation. I will sure post some more information.
Dear Arif! First of all, thank you very much for the congratulations on Wonem's day.
Well, let me answer your question now.
Thither means:
1) to or toward that place (as a modifier of place)
No trickery was necessary to attract him thither (i.e. to that place)
2) to the place that has already been mentioned (same)
They have dragged themselves thither (there) for shelter.
Thence means from a place or source previously mentioned
They intended to cycle on into France and thence (back) home via Belgium
Both words are archaic.
Hither and hence mean the same (to and from) and are also archaic. However, hence is still used in formal and, especially, academic English.
Whither and whence mean to where and from where. Those forms are also archaic. But they are still used in some cases in modern literate English. They may have different meanings.
You can often come across these words reading poetry.
You see, your question is not easy to answer at once. I am not a specialist in Old or Middle English. I will write a brief about usage of these adverbs and attach it here, OK?
Dear Arif! You have got that right. Yet and so far mean the same. Academic education is much better than so called "street English". We use yet in negative sentences while so far is for affirmative ones only:
I have met an interesting person and I like talking to him so far.
So far he has been the best student of mine.
I want to add that so far (as well as other expressions) is not an adverb. It is used as a modifier of action. There are a lot of such expressions. We can place an adverb inside a predicate if it is a single word only. Otherwise, it should be placed according to some different rules. Please, ask your questions.
Dear Arif! Thanks for your interest to this topic. I'd like to answer to your questions.
1. Both tenses and adverbs describe processes. However, adverbs don't define what tense to use. Some adverb may be typical for this or that tense but it doesn't mean it is not used with other tenses not to say that adverbs may define other parts of a sentence. For example, we all know that yet is mostly used with the perfect tenses, especially with present perfect:
He hasn't found a good job, yet.
On the other hand, yet is often used with the simple tenses:
I am not ready, yet.
He doesn't know about the accident, yet.
And the same is about many other adverbs. Well, the above-mentioned information should be considered as the general statement. As to your particular question about already, both perfect and perfect continuous (progressive) tenses describe actions before some moment in the past or the future or before now. So, already is very typical for both groups.
2. As to percentage, you are right. I'd like to add, that percentage is approximate, except always and never. Besides, rarely is "more American", so to say. It is like recently and lately. These adverbs are a little different, but Americans mostly use recently.
I hope, I've answered to your questions. If you have some more questions, feel free to ask.
hi Tanya! you do really astonishing effort i'll try to understand what you discuss about adverb and attempt to find unclear paragraph to discuss it together you know this a large subject may take long time but i try to respond you in nearer time .by the way i like your last picture in my post this is my favorite animal if you have got some pictures about leopard i hope send them to me .
have a good day !
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