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Episode: Adverb position

Author: BBC Radio
Duration: 00:06:21

Episode Shownotes

We talk about the three positions where adverbs usually go when used with verbs.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️6 Minute English ✔️6 Minute Vocabulary ✔️The English

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Full Transcript

00:00:00 Speaker_06
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00:00:44 Speaker_02
Hello and welcome to 6 Minute Grammar with me, Calum.

00:00:52 Speaker_03
And me, Catherine. Hello.

00:00:55 Speaker_06
In this programme we're talking about adverbs and where they should go. Catherine, remind us what adverbs are.

00:01:03 Speaker_03
Certainly, Callum. Adverbs are words or phrases that we use to give more information about verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. We use them to express how someone does something or how something happens.

00:01:17 Speaker_06
In today's programme, we're going to focus on how they are used with verbs. Listen out for the adverbs usually, really, hardly and ever. Here's Finn.

00:01:30 Speaker_07
I usually drive to work. I don't really like cheese. I can hardly believe what happened at the concert. Have you ever been to Scotland?

00:01:57 Speaker_06
Now let's look more closely at where to put the adverb.

00:02:00 Speaker_03
Adverbs can usually be placed in one of three positions.

00:02:05 Speaker_06
The first position is at the very beginning of the sentence, before the subject. Usually I drive to work.

00:02:12 Speaker_03
The second position is before the main verb.

00:02:15 Speaker_06
I usually drive to work. And the third position is after the direct object or complement of the verb. I drive to work usually. Today we're talking about where to put adverbs when we are using them to give more information about verbs.

00:02:36 Speaker_03
We've seen that there are three positions where adverbs typically go.

00:02:40 Speaker_06
So is it the case that you can put any adverb in any of these positions?

00:02:44 Speaker_03
Callum, if it was that simple it would be fantastic. Many adverbs can indeed go in any of these positions depending on style and context.

00:02:54 Speaker_06
I feel there is a but coming. But… There it is.

00:02:57 Speaker_03
Yes, that's not always the case. Some adverbs can't go in certain places and some are more common in particular positions than others.

00:03:07 Speaker_06
And we also have to consider modals and other auxiliaries, questions and negatives.

00:03:12 Speaker_03
We do. So let's start with the verb to be. When the verb to be is the main verb of a sentence, we usually put adverbs immediately after the verb.

00:03:23 Speaker_07
He's always on time. I was never happy at school.

00:03:28 Speaker_06
When there is more than one part to the verb, where does the adverb go?

00:03:32 Speaker_03
If there's an auxiliary such as have or has in the present perfect or a modal like can, will, should and so on, the adverb usually goes after the auxiliary and before the main verb.

00:03:48 Speaker_07
You can never predict what mood he's going to be in. I've rarely seen him angry. I will always love you.

00:03:58 Speaker_03
And I'll always love you, Finn.

00:03:59 Speaker_07
Thank you.

00:04:01 Speaker_03
The same is true in negative sentences. The adverb will come after the negative and before the main verb.

00:04:09 Speaker_07
I've never visited Iceland. I've never visited Iceland. He can't even make a cup of tea. He can't even make a cup of tea. And what about questions?

00:04:21 Speaker_03
The same is true there. The adverb comes after the question word or auxiliary and before the main verb.

00:04:28 Speaker_07
Do you still live in the same city? Would you really like to come and stay? Have you ever thought about emigrating? Now, are there any places where you can't put an adverb?

00:04:50 Speaker_03
There are. Adverbs don't go between a main verb and its direct object. So, for example, could I say, I play very well tennis?

00:05:00 Speaker_06
Well, you could say it, but it wouldn't be right.

00:05:02 Speaker_03
OK, then how about this? I play tennis very well.

00:05:05 Speaker_06
That's correct, though only grammatically.

00:05:07 Speaker_03
What do you mean?

00:05:08 Speaker_06
Well, actually, you play tennis awfully.

00:05:11 Speaker_03
That's true actually, can't I? Yeah.

00:05:19 Speaker_06
Well, we're nearly at the end of today's programme. Just time to take our quick quiz on this topic.

00:05:23 Speaker_03
You're going to hear some sentences and you need to decide if the adverbs are in the correct place. Here's the first one.

00:05:31 Speaker_07
You always must remember to lock the door when you leave.

00:05:40 Speaker_06
This one is not right. The adverb always should come after the modal must and before the main verb remember. Here's the next one.

00:05:52 Speaker_07
I have never learned a foreign language. I have never learned a foreign language.

00:05:59 Speaker_03
And this is correct. The adverb, in this case never, comes between the auxiliary have and the main verb learned. And the final sentence.

00:06:10 Speaker_07
She rarely is late.

00:06:13 Speaker_06
She rarely is late. This is not correct. The adverb rarely should come after the verb to be.

00:06:22 Speaker_03
So that's our introduction to the position of adverbs.

00:06:25 Speaker_06
Do check our website bbclearningenglish.com for more information on this subject.

00:06:30 Speaker_03
And do join us again for more 6 Minute Grammar.

00:06:33 Speaker_06
Goodbye.

00:06:33 Speaker_03
Bye.

00:06:39 Speaker_00
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00:06:53 Speaker_00
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