TYPES OF ADVERBS

ADVERBS OF MANNER - these answer the question how?

This adverb usually comes after the direct object or if there is no direct object, after the verb:
She speaks Italian beautifully.
He works well.
You must drive your car carefully.
Eat quietly.

ADVERBS OF PLACE - these answer the question where?

This adverb usually comes after the object, otherwise after the verb:
We saw you there.
We were sitting here.
We looked everywhere.
Note: somewhere, anywhere, follow the same rules as some and any:
Have you seen my glasses anywhere?
I'm sure I left them somewhere.
I can't find them anywhere.

ADVERBS OF TIME - these answer the question when?

This adverb usually comes either at the very beginning of the sentence or at the end.
Afterwards we decided to go by car. I've done that journey before.
Note: yet and still: yet should be placed at the end of the sentence.
Still should be placed before the verb, except with the verb 'to be' when it comes after.
We haven't started yet.
He still wears old-fashioned clothes.
She is still a student.
Compare these two sentences:
The train still hasn't arrived.
The train hasn't arrived yet.

ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY - these answer the question how many times?

This adverb comes after the verb 'to be':
She is always honest.
Comes before simple tenses of all other verbs:
They sometimes spend the whole of Saturday fishing.
Comes after the first auxiliary in a tense consisting of more than one verb:
I have often wondered how they did that.
I can sometimes go without food for days.
Note: with 'used to' and 'have' the frequency adverb is usually placed in front:
We always used to look forward to the school holidays.
He never has any trouble with his old car.

ADVERBS OF DEGREE - these answer the question to what extent?

This adverb can modify an adverb or an adjective and comes before the word it modifies:
The bottle is almost full, nearly empty.
They should be able to pass their exams quite easily.
The following adverbs of degree can also modify verbs:
almost, nearly, quite, hardly, scarcely, barely, just
They follow the same pattern as frequency adverbs in terms of where they are placed:
I quite understand.
We had almost reached the hut when the rain started.
I am just beginning a new course.

INVERSION

If you begin a sentence with one of the following, the normal word order changes - the verb comes first followed by the subject:
never, seldom, scarcely ..... when, no sooner ..... than, nowhere, in no circumstances, on no account, only then, not only
Seldom has one century seen so many changes.
No sooner did we hear the results than there was a knock at the door.
Never would I be persuaded to buy a second hand car.

Adverb of Probability

Adverb of probability is used to show how sure when someone does something.

Probably, perhaps, definitely, obviously, certainly, truly, exactly....

Formula₁:

Adverb of Probability + Sentence

Example:  - Perhaps she comes today.

- Probably I have to get up early tomorrow.

Formula₂:

Subject + Modal Verb + Adverb of Probability + Main Verb + Complement

Example: - He will probably get married next year.

- Many people can exactly speak English very well.

INTERROGATIVE ADVERBS

These are:

why, where, how, when

They are usually placed at the beginning of a question.

Examples

• Why are you so late?
• Where is my passport?
• How are you?
• How much is that coat?
• When does the train arrive?

Notice that how can be used in four different ways:

1. meaning 'in what way?':

• How did you make this sauce?
• How do you start the car?

2. with adjectives:

• How tall are you?
• How old is your house?

3. with much and many:

• How much are these tomatoes?
• How many people are coming to the party?

4. with other adverbs:

• How quickly can you read this?
• How often do you go to London?

RELATIVE ADVERBS

Rule

The following adverbs can be used to join sentences or clauses. They replace the more formal structure of preposition + which in a relative clause:

where, when, why

Examples:

• That's the restaurant where we met for the first time.
  (where = at/in which)
• I remember the day when we first met.
  (when = on which)
• There was a very hot summer the year when he was born.
  (when = in which)
• Tell me (the reason) why you were late home.
  (why = for which, but could replace the whole phrase 'the reason for which')

VIEWPOINT AND COMMENTING ADVERBS

There are some adverbs and adverbial expressions which tell us about the speaker's viewpoint or opinion about an action, or make some comment on the action.

Viewpoint

Frankly, I think he is a liar. (= this is my frank, honest opinion)
Theoretically, you should pay a fine. (= from a theoretical point of view but there may be another way of looking at the situation)
These adverbs are placed at the beginning of the sentence and are separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma.
Some common Viewpoint adverbs:
honestly, seriously, confidentially, personally, surprisingly, ideally, economically, officially, obviously, clearly, surely, undoubtedly.