Easy Word | Luyện ngữ pháp


Luyện ngữ pháp English Grammar in Use (Unit 110:  Word order 2 (adverbs with the verb))


A Some adverbs (for example, alwaysalsoprobably) go with the verb in the middle of a sentence:
  • Helen always drives to work.
  • We were feeling very tired and we were also hungry.
  • The concert will probably be cancelled.
B If the verb is one word (drives/fell/cooked etc.), the adverb goes before the verb:
  adverb verb  
Helen always drives to work.
I almost fell as I was going down the stairs.

  • I cleaned the house and also cooked the dinner. (not cooked also)
  • Lucy hardly ever watches television and rarely reads newspapers.
  • 'Shall I give you my address?'  'No, I already have it.'

 

Note that these adverbs (always/often/also etc.) go before have to ... :
  • Joe never phones me. I always have to phone him. (not I have always to phone)

 

But adverbs go after am/is/are/was/were:
  • We were feeling very tired and we were also hungry.
  • Why are you always late? You're never on time.
  • The traffic isn't usually as bad as it was this morning.
C If the verb is two or more words (for example, can remember / doesn't eat / will be cancelled), the adverb usually goes after the first verb (can/doesn't/will etc.):
  verb 1 adverb verb 2  
I can never remember her name.
Clare doesn't often eat meat.
  Are you definitely going away next week?
The concert will probably be cancelled.

  • You've always been very kind to me.
  • Jack can't cook. He can't even boil an egg.
  • Do you still work for the same company?
  • The house was only built a year ago and it's already falling down.

 

Note that probably goes before a negative (isn't/won't etc.). So we say:
  • probably won't see you. or I will probably not see you. (not I won't probably)
D We also use all and both in these positions:
  • We all felt ill after the meal. (not we felt all ill)
  • My parents are both teachers. (not my parents both are teachers)
  • Sarah and Jane have both applied for the job.
  • We are all going out tonight.
E Sometimes we use is/will/did etc. instead of repeating part of a sentence (see Unit 51):
  • Tom says he isn't clever, but I think he is. (= he is clever)

 

When we do this, we put always/never etc. before the verb:
  • He always says he won't be late, but he always is. (= he is always late)
  • I've never done it and I never will. (= I will never do it)

Exercises - 110.1

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