Grammar tips

Today we will continue to explore adverbs and their position on the phrase.

Mid-position

Adverbs that usually go in mid-position: adverbs of indefinite frequency (e.g. sometimes), certainty (e.g. probably) and completeness (e.g. almost). Adverbs that can go in mid-position: focusing adverbs (e.g. just), some adverbs of manner (e.g. angrily), comment adverbs (e.g. fortunately).

Mid-position adverbs usually go before one-part verbs, after auxiliary verbs, and after am/are/is/was/were.

• Before one-part verbs: “Ukraine certainly looks entrapped by Russian forces.”
• After auxiliary verbs: “The EU-MERCOSUR agreement will probably take some time to be approved.”
• After am/are/is/was/were: “Brazil is obviously the most important economic partner for Argentina.”

Indefinite frequency (how often)

Examples: always, ever, usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes, occasionally, rarely, seldom, never.

• “Brazilian diplomacy rarely approves a UNSC resolution under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.”

* Usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes and occasionally can also go in front or end position.

Adverbs of certainty

Examples: probably, certainly, definitely, clearly, obviously.

• “The United States definitely wants to contain China’s expansion in the Indo-Pacific region.”

* Maybe and perhaps usually come at the beginning of a clause.

Adverbs of completeness

Examples: completely, practically, almost, nearly, quite, rather, partly, sort of, kind of, more or less, hardly, scarcely.

• “The negotiation process at the WTO is almost nonexistent.”

Adverbs with negative verbs

In negative sentences, adverbs generally come before not if they emphasize the negative; otherwise they come after. Compare the two sentences:

• “The United Nations certainly do not agree with Russia’s stand on the Ukrainian war.”
• “The United Nations do not often agree with Russia’s stand on the Ukrainian war.”

We will further analyze the end position in the following week. Not to worry.

Stay tuned for more of Todd's grammar tips in our CACD English Newsletter!!