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Position of adverbials: introduction

Different kinds of adverbials typically go in different positions in a clause. The very simple explanations below show the commonest patterns; entries (see here) give some more detail. However, this is a very complicated area of grammar, and it is impossible to give reliable rules that apply all the time to all adverbials.

Verb and object: She speaks English well.​

We do not usually put adverbials between a verb and its object.

Grammar

adverbial + verb + object

  • I often get headaches. (not I get often headaches.)
Grammar

verb + object + adverbial

  • She speaks English well. (not She speaks well English.)

But an adverb particle like on, off, out can go between a verb and a noun object.

  • Could you switch off the light?

Front, mid- and end position​

There are three normal positions for adverbials:

Front position (at the beginning of a clause)​

  • Yesterday morning something very strange happened.

Mid-position (with the verb – for exact details see Mid-position: details)​

  • My brother completely forgot my birthday.
  • I have never understood her.

End position (at the end of a clause)​

  • What are you doing tomorrow?

What goes where?​

Connecting adverbials (which join a clause to what came before) and comment adverbials (which show a speaker’s or writer’s opinion of what he/she is talking about) usually go in front position.

  • However, not everybody agreed.
  • Fortunately, nobody was hurt.

Adverbials of indefinite frequency (e.g. always, often), certainty (e.g. probably, definitely) and completeness (e.g. completely, almost) usually go in mid-position.

  • My boss often travels to America.
  • I’ve definitely decided to change my job.
  • The builder said he had almost finished, but it wasn’t true.

Focusing adverbials (e.g. also, just, even) can go in mid-position; other positions are possible, depending on the particular adverbial.

  • He’s even been to Antarctica.

Adverbials of manner (how), place (where) and time (when) most often go in end position.

  • She brushed her hair slowly.
  • The children are playing upstairs.
  • I phoned Alex this morning.

Time adverbials can also go in front position.

  • Tomorrow I’ve got a meeting in Cardiff.

Emphasising adverbials (e.g. terribly, really) usually go with the words they emphasise.

  • I’m terribly sorry about last night.

Degree adverbials (e.g. more, very much, most, a lot, so) go in various places, depending on their function in the sentence. Details are given in other entries.

note

For more details about the position of these and other kinds of adverbial, see the next four sections.