subject + frequency adverb + main verbIn simple statements, frequency adverbs normally go before the main verb.
Adverb Placement
B1Frequency adverbs go before the main verb but after be. Manner adverbs go after the verb or object, and degree adverbs go before adjectives or adverbs.
What you'll learn
- Place frequency adverbs before the main verb.
- Place frequency adverbs after be.
- Place manner adverbs after the verb or after the object.
- Place degree adverbs before adjectives and adverbs.
- Choose the usual adverb position from the sentence pattern.
Structure
subject + be + frequency adverb + complementWith be, the frequency adverb comes after the verb, not before it.
subject + verb (+ object) + manner adverbManner adverbs usually come after the verb if there is no object, or after the object if there is one.
subject + be/verb + degree adverb + adjective/adverbDegree adverbs normally stand directly before the adjective or adverb they change.
Build a sentence
Sentence frame
Adverb
Tomusuallywalks
Tom usually walks to work.
Frequency adverbs like usually go before the main verb.
When to use
Habits and routines
Use frequency adverbs to show how often something happens: Anna usually cooks at home. Ben never drinks coffee at night.
States with be
With be, put the frequency adverb after the verb: Tom is often tired after work. The offices are usually quiet on Sunday.
How an action happens
Use manner adverbs to describe the action itself: Lisa speaks clearly. Maria closed the door quietly.
Strength of description
Use degree adverbs to make an adjective or adverb stronger or softer: The test was really hard. David answered very quickly.
Markers
alwaysusuallyoftennevercarefullyquietlyveryreallyquitetoo
Common mistakes
Wrong
Tom walks usually to work.
Correct
Tom usually walks to work.
Frequency adverbs usually go before the main verb, not after it.
Wrong
Maria often is late.
Correct
Maria is often late.
With be, the adverb comes after the verb.
Wrong
Anna reads carefully the email.
Correct
Anna reads the email carefully.
If there is an object, the manner adverb normally comes after the object.
Wrong
The movie was interesting very.
Correct
The movie was very interesting.
Degree adverbs like very go before the adjective, not after it.
Common misconceptions
❝ All adverbs go in the same place in the sentence. ❞
Different adverbs use different positions. Frequency, manner, and degree adverbs do not follow one single pattern.
❝ Putting the adverb at the end always sounds more natural. ❞
Sentence-final position works for some adverbs, but many common adverbs have a usual place in the middle of the sentence.
Skills in this rule (5)
PUT_FREQUENCY_BEFORE_MAIN_VERBw5Put frequency adverbs before the main verb
Place adverbs like always, usually, often, and never before the main verb in simple sentences. This is the common place in statements such as Tom usually walks to work.
PUT_FREQUENCY_AFTER_BEw5Put frequency adverbs after be
With am, is, are, was, and were, the frequency adverb comes after be. Say Maria is often late, not Maria often is late.
PUT_MANNER_AFTER_VERB_OR_OBJECTw5Put manner adverbs after the verb or after the object
Adverbs like carefully, slowly, and well usually come after the verb when there is no object, or after the object when there is one. Say Lisa sings beautifully and Anna reads the email carefully.
PUT_DEGREE_BEFORE_ADJECTIVE_OR_ADVERBw4Put degree adverbs before adjectives and adverbs
Words like very, really, quite, and too usually go before an adjective or another adverb. Say very tired or really slowly.
RECOGNIZE_COMMON_ADVERB_POSITIONSw3Recognize the usual place for frequency, manner, and degree adverbs
Use the sentence pattern to choose the adverb position: before the main verb, after be, after the object, or before an adjective or adverb.