Do you want to know adverbs ? Read here

An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective or another adverb. It adds something to the verb, adjective or another adverb.
 The examples are:
      1.     The nightingale sang melodiously.
‘melodiously’ modifies the verb ‘sang’.
      2.     Nightingale is very melodious singer’
‘very’ modifies the adjective ‘melodious’
     3.     The nightingale sings quiet melodiously.
‘quite’ modifies the adverb melodiously

  Ø Rules for placing the ‘adverbs’ that modifies adjectives and other adverbs

   1.     An adverb that modifies and adjective comes just before the adjective as in example 2 above. Look at the examples below.
They had an extremely useful discussion.
(‘extremely modifies the adjective ‘useful’)
His behavior was shockingly rude.
(‘shockingly’ modifies the adjective rude)
   2.     An adverb that modifies another adverb comes just before it. They usually tell to what extent.
Look at these examples below.
He was speaking quite loudly.
‘quite’ tells us to what extent he was speaking loudly (loudly modifies the verb ‘speaking’
She replied rather bashfully.
‘rather tells us to what extent she replied bashfully (bashfully modifies the verb ‘replied’


Kinds of Adverbs

An adverb answers on of the five questions about the word it modifies
     1.     When? (Adverb of time). Example: The meeting began late.
     2.     Where? (Adverb of place). Example: They hold a meeting at home.
     3.     How often? (Adverb of frequency). Example: He rarely visits me.
     4.     How/In what manner? (Adverb of manner). Example: He spoke softly.
     5.     To what extent/degree? (Adverb of degree). Example: Weather is very good.

Note: The adverbs ‘not’ and ‘never’ indicate to what extent and when. They also give negative meaning to sentences.
Examples: He does not invite his classmates
                     They never arrive in time.


Position of Adverbs

The position of an adverb in a sentence determines the meaning.
If an adverb is placed after a phrase or clause, it is considered to modify that clause or phrase. The meaning changes accordingly.
Examples:   They instantly gave up the plan to strike.
They up the plan to strike instantly.
The leader annoyingly denied that he had made such a statement.
The leader denied that he had made such a statement annoyingly.
Adverbs can be placed in one of the three positions, viz. front position (at the beginning of a sentence), mid position (close to the verb), and end position (at the end of the sentence).


If the sentence contains one or more auxiliary verbs, the adverbs are placed after the first auxiliary. If there is no auxiliary, the adverbs come before the main verb.

Example:  I have often told him to be careful.
The records have definitely been damaged.
It can easily be explained to them.
I occasionally visit the place.
If any form of the verb ‘to be’ is used, the adverbs are placed after the verb. I other cases adverbs are normally placed before simple tenses of other verbs.

Examples: We are always on the schedule.
He is never rude.
You are certainly a better candidate.
He sometimes comes to this shopping mall.
Note: When there is a stress on the verb ‘to be’ or on the auxiliary, then the adverbs usually comes before it.
Example: You certainly are a better candidate.
You really have made a difference

If there is an object, the adverbs are generally placed after the object. But if the object is very long, we usually put the adverb before the verb.


When an adverb modifies an adjective or another adverb, the adverb is normally placed before it. Example: Do not drive so fast. It is very dangerous.

Positions of Different kinds of Adverbs

Adverb of manners (e.g. sadly, well, fast, carefully, quickly)
An adverb of manner usually goes in end position, but an adverb that ends in ‘ly’ can sometimes go in mid position.
Example: He was driving fast.
She apologized politely./She politely apologized.

Adverb of place (e.g. away, here, there, somewhere, nowhere)
These are generally placed after the verb or after the object if there is one.
Examples: Her cousin lives here.
I have met him somewhere.

Adverbs of time (e.g. afterwards, now, soon, today)
They are generally placed in front position or in the end position.
Examples: I met him recently.
Eventually they settled in their hometown.
He signed in the dotted line yesterday.
Soon he became the richest man of the city.
Adverbs of frequency (e.g. always, never, sometimes, usually)
An adverb of frequency usually goes in mid position.
Examples: She is always on time.
He sometimes feels neglected
Adverbs such as often, sometimes, normally, usually, and occasionally can also go in front or end position.
Examples:  Usually there is no dissenting voice.
He feels neglected sometimes.


Sentence Adverbs

When an adverb is intended to modify the entire sentence, it is normally placed at the beginning of the sentence.
Example: Generally the employees like to maintain the status quo. Maybe they feel secure that way.
A sentence adverb modifies the whole sentence, rather than any particular word. It can go in the front, mid or end position.
Examples: Fortunately, his initial response was favorable.
He had probably no other proposals.
He is very excited, of course.
Positions of More Than One Adverbs in a Sentence

If there are two or more adverbs after a verb, the adverb of manner comes first followed by adverbs of place and time.


Adverbs of time can also be in front position.
Example: Every day of the weak he visited his mother when she was in hospital.


Inversion of the Verb

Certain adverb and adverb phrases can be placed first in a sentence for emphasis and then followed by the inverted form of the verb.
Read the following sentences.
I have never seen such a dismal sight.
Never have I seen such a dismal sight.
We can hope to regain their faith in us only by treating them well.
Only by treating them well, can we hope to regain their faith in us.
So, Under, No Sooner
So is an adverb. It can be used with an inverted verb.
Examples: She shouted so loudly that every one turned around to see.
So loudly did she shout, that everyone turned around to see.
We cannot allow the situation to deteriorate under any circumstances.
Under no circumstances can we allow the situation to deteriorate.
No sooner is comparative form. If it begins the sentence, the verb must ne inverted.
Example: As soon as he finished the work, he left the office.
No sooner had he finished the work then he left the office.