B1+Word order

Position of adverbs and adverb phrases

Choose front, mid or end position according to adverb type, information focus and the auxiliary/main-verb structure.

Overview

What this grammar does

Choose front, mid or end position according to adverb type, information focus and the auxiliary/main-verb structure.

Form and rules

How it works

Frequency adverbs usually go before a main verb but after be: I usually drive; I'm usually early.

With auxiliaries, many mid-position adverbs go after the first auxiliary: She has never been; They will probably arrive.

Manner adverbs often go after the verb/object: She explained the problem clearly.

Place normally comes before time at the end: We met at the office yesterday.

Front-position adverbs can organize or emphasize information: Fortunately, nobody was hurt; Last year, sales increased.

A closer look

Meaning and use

Place normally comes before time at the end: We met at the office yesterday.

Front-position adverbs can organize or emphasize information: Fortunately, nobody was hurt; Last year, sales increased.

Examples

See the pattern in complete sentences

I rarely work weekends.

She is usually very punctual.

They have never visited us.

He explained the process carefully.

We met at the station early this morning.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

Choose the natural order. → I take usually the bus.

Choose the natural order. → I usually take the bus.

Frequency adverbs usually come before the main verb.

She rarely is late for meetings.

She is rarely late for meetings.

With be, the frequency adverb normally follows the verb.

Ready to practise?

The test combines multiple choice, gap completion, error correction, and sentence building so students have to recognise and produce the grammar, not simply reread the rule.

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