Newsletter about adverbs

by Monika Hassel
(Austria)

Dear Diana,

Thank you for the nice newsletter / web page about adverbs. The cartoon is very funny.

I'm a little bit confused about the word order in your example sentences. I learnt, that an adverb of manner is positioned following the verb. In some of your example sentences you placed the adverb in front of the verb. Please explain this to me.

Thank you in advance.

Best regards,

Monika

**************************************************
Hi Monika,

I'm glad you enjoyed the newsletter and thanks for getting in touch!

Adverbs can be placed a number of different parts of the clause, depending on several factors.

Generally speaking adverbs are placed after the main verb or object it is modifying, but there are exceptions to this rule.

Rule #1: Adverbs should not be put between the verb and the object.

Example:

He read quickly the book - incorrect
He read the book quickly - correct

Rule #2: If there is a preposition before the object, (at or towards for example) we can place the adverb before the preposition or after the object.

Example:

She moved quietly towards the door.
OR
She moved towards the door quietly.

Rule #3: If you want to add emphasis, you can place the adverb of manner before the verb.

Example:

She gently rocked the sleeping baby.

Rule #4: Adverbs should always come AFTER intransitive verbs (verbs that have no object).

Example:
The officer waited patiently for the home owner.

Basically, you can not say that "all" adverbs are placed in one place 100% of the time. There are many exceptions which allow an adverb to be placed in different places.

Adverbs placement is a tricky subject. I'll look at this in depth in a future newsletter. :)

I hope that helps clarify things, and I hope you have a wonderful day!

All the best,
Diana