Position of Adverbs and Adverb Phrases — Explanation

Do B1+ exercises to learn where to put adverbs and adverb phrases. Get clear explanations and grammar quizzes to help you learn how to put words in the right order.

Position of Adverbs and Adverb Phrases Exercises

The placement of adverbs and adverb phrases is important in English because it changes how clear and meaningful they are. Students at the B1+ level should know how to use adverbs correctly in both spoken and written English so that it sounds natural.

What Are Adverbs and Some Phrases That Use Them?

• Adverbs change other adverbs, verbs, or adjectives.
• Adverb phrases are groups of words that work like adverbs.

Example:
She speaks clearly.
He worked very hard.

Common Positions of Adverbs

End Position

Adverbs and adverb phrases, especially those that tell you when, where, and how something happened, usually come at the end of a sentence.

Example:
They met yesterday.
She drives carefully.
We stayed at a hotel near the beach.

Mid Position

Most of the time, adverbs of frequency and some degree adverbs come in the middle.

Position rules:

• Before the main verb
• After the verb be
• Between auxiliary and main verb

Example:
I often drink coffee.
She is always late.
They have never seen snow.

Front Position

To make a sentence sound better or to emphasize something, you can put an adverb or adverb phrase at the beginning.

Example:
Yesterday, we finished the project.
Suddenly, the lights went out.

Order of Adverbs

When there are more than one adverb at the end of a sentence, the normal order is:
manner + place + time

Example:
She spoke quietly at the meeting yesterday.

Position of Adverb Phrases

Adverb phrases are usually at the beginning or end of a sentence.

Example:
In the morning, I go for a walk.
I go for a walk in the morning.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Putting frequency adverbs at the end is wrong.
  Incorrect: I go often to the gym.
  Correct: I often go to the gym.
• Putting adverbs between the verb and the object.
  Incorrect: She reads quickly books.
  Correct: She quickly reads books.

If you know where to put adverbs and adverb phrases, your sentences will sound natural and be easy to understand. To improve your English, remember the main positions and the normal order of adverbs, and practice them often.