The position of

adverbs and adverbial

phrases
Which types of
adverbs have we
seen?
• Manner
• Frequency
• Time and place
• Degree
• Comment

Which types of
adverbs have we
seen?
 How many
examples do we
know of each
type?

• Manner
• Frequency
• Time and place
• Degree
• Comment

Which types of
adverbs have we
seen?
• Manner
Slowly, fluently, well, happily,
enthusiastically, seriously…

Which types of
adverbs have we
seen?
• Frequency
Always, sometimes, usually, normally,
never, hardly ever…

Which types of
adverbs have we
seen?
• Time and place
Here, there, all day, all night, in an
hour…

Which types of
adverbs have we
seen?
• Degree
Extremely, incredibly, very, a lot, much,
a little, a bit…

Which types of
adverbs have we
seen?
• Comment
Luckily, basically, clearly, obviously,
apparently…

Which types of
adverbs have we
seen?
You’ve got some
cards with
jumbled
sentences.

Order them
placing the
adverbs or
adverbial phrases
correctly.
 describe how
Adverbs of manner somebody does
something

• He walks very slowly.

• I speak five languages fluently.
After the verb or
verb phrase
 describe how
Adverbs of manner somebody does
something

• The driver was seriously injured in the accident.

Mid position:
between auxiliary
and main verb
Adverbs of
• I hardly ever have time for breakfast.
• Liam’s always late for work.
• I would never have thought you were 40.
Adverbs of
• I hardly ever have time for breakfast. before the main
verb
• Liam’s always late for work.
• I would never have thought you were 40. after the verb to
be

between two
auxiliary verbs
 Adverbs of
• Sometimes, I just want to pick a good book, lie down and read.
• Usually, the first time I do when I wake up is have my coffee.
• Normally they don’t get along, but on special occasions they try to be
cordial to each other.

Sometimes, usually and

normally can also be put at the
beginning of the phrase or
sentence for emphasis
I forgot almost your
birthday, but
fortunately my sister
reminded me.
I almost forgot your
birthday, but
fortunately my sister
reminded me.
Mary doesn’t always
eat healthily, because
she often has
snacks between
meals
Mary doesn’t always
eat healthily, because
she often has
snacks between
meals
 Adverbs of time and place

• My parents will be here in half an hour.

• It rained all day yesterday.

They usually go at the end of the

sentence.
Adverbs of time and place

• My parents will be here in half an hour.

• We bought the same dress in the city centre last Christmas.

Place adverbs
normally go before
time adverbs
Mark came last
night very late
home.
Mark came home
very late last night.
The ambulance
arrived at the scene of
the accident after a
few minutes.
The ambulance
arrived at the scene of
the accident after a
few minutes.
Adverbs of degree
• I’ve nearly .
• We’re incredibly .
• My husband a lot but he doesn’t much.

They modify
and
Adverbs of degree
• I’ve nearly .
• We’re incredibly .
• My husband a lot but he doesn’t much.

They modify When they modify

verbs, they go after
and the verb phrase
He liked very much the
present.
He liked the present very
much .
A young man was injured
badly and was taken to
hospital.
A young man was badly
injured and was taken
to hospital.
I was extremely tired last
night.
I was extremely tired last
night.
She’s lazy a bit about
doing her homework
She’s a bit lazy about
doing her homework
Comment adverbs
• Unfortunately, the parcel never arrived.
They give the
• Ideally, we should leave here at 10.00. speaker’s opinion

luckily
basically
clearly
obviously
apparently

eventually
We luckily had taken an
umbrella, because it
started to rain just after
we’d left.
Luckily, we had taken
an umbrella, because it
started to rain just
after we’d left.
Jack has been
apparently sacked.
Apparently, Jack has
been sacked.