Word Order 2: Adverbs with the Verb

Question 1

If the verb is one word (drives / fell / cooked, etc.), the adverb goes b____ the verb.

Answer 1

If the verb is one word (drives / fell / cooked, etc.), the adverb goes before the verb.

• 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)

Question 2

But adverbs go a___ am / is / are / was / were.

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

If the verb is two or more words (can remember / doesn’t eat / will be cancelled), the adverb usually goes a___ the f___ verb (can / doesn’t / will, etc.).

Answer 3

If the verb is two or more words (can remember / doesn’t eat / will be cancelled), the adverb usually goes after the first verb (can / doesn’t / will, etc.).

• I can never remember her name.
• Clare doesn’t often eat meat.
• Are you definitely going to the party tomorrow?
• The concert will probably be canceled.
• 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.

Question 4

Note that probably goes b___ a negative (isn’t / won’t, etc.).

Answer 4

Note that probably goes before a negative (isn’t / won’t, etc.):

• I probably won’t see you. Or
• I will probably not see you. (not I won’t probably)

Question 5

We use all and both b___ if the verb is one word, but a___ the verb '’be’‘. If the verb is two or more words, we place all and both a___ the f___ verb.

Answer 5

We use all and both before if the verb is one word, but after the verb '’be’‘. If the verb is two or more words, we place all and both after the first verb.

• 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.

Question 6

Normally we put always and never after is / will / did, except if we use the verb instead of rep___ a sentence.

Answer 6

Normally we put always and never after is / will / did, except if we use these verbs to avaoid repeating a sentence.

• 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)

Question 7

Are the bold words in the right position or not? Correct the sentence if necessary.

I take usually a shower in the morning.

Answer 7

Are the bold words in the right position or not? Correct the sentence if necessary.

I take usually a shower in the morning. I usually take a shower in the morning. _{(before… one verb)}

Question 8

Are the bold words in the right position or not? Correct the sentence if necessary.

We soon found the solution to the problem.

Answer 8

Are the bold words in the right position or not? Correct the sentence if necessary.

We soon found the solution to the problem. OK _{(before… one verb)}

Question 9

Are the bold words in the right position or not? Correct the sentence if necessary.

Jane has always to hurry in the morning.

Answer 9

Are the bold words in the right position or not? Correct the sentence if necessary.

Jane has always to hurry in the morning. Jane always have to hurry in the morning. _{(before… have to)}

Question 10

Are the bold words in the right position or not? Correct the sentence if necessary.

We all were tired, so we all fell asleep.

Answer 10

Are the bold words in the right position or not? Correct the sentence if necessary.

We all were tired, so we all fell asleep. We were all _{(after… “be”)} tired, so we all _{(before… one verb)} fell asleep.

Question 11

Are the bold words in the right position or not? Correct the sentence if necessary.

She always says she’ll call me, but she never does.

Answer 11

Are the bold words in the right position or not? Correct the sentence if necessary.

She always says she’ll call me, but she never does. OK _{(before… one verb)}

Question 12

Rewrite the sentence to include word in parentheses.

Katherine is very generous. (always).

Answer 12

Rewrite the sentence to include word in parentheses.

Katherine is always very generous. _{(after… the verb “be”)}

Question 13

Rewrite the sentence to include word in parentheses.

I don’t have to work on Saturdays. (usually)

Answer 13

Rewrite the sentence to include word in parentheses.

I don’t usually have to work on Saturdays. _{(after first verb… two or more verbs)}

Question 14

Rewrite the sentence to include word in parentheses.

• We were on holiday in Spain. (all)
• We were staying at the same hotel. (all)
• We enjoyed ourselves. (all)

Answer 14

Rewrite the sentence to include word in parentheses.

• We were all on holiday in Spain. _{(after “be”)}
• We were all staying at the same hotel. _{(after first… two/more verbs)}
• We all enjoyed ourselves. _{(before… one verb)}

Question 15

Rewrite the sentence to include word in parentheses.

• The new hotel is very expensive. (probably)
• lt costs a lot to stay there. (probably)

Answer 15

Rewrite the sentence to include word in parentheses.

• The new hotel is probably very expensive. (after “be”)
• lt probably costs a lot to stay there. (before… one verb)

Question 16

Rewrite the sentence to include word in parentheses.

• I can help you. (probably).
• I can’t help you. (probably)

Answer 16

Rewrite the sentence to include word in parentheses.

• I can probably help you. _{(after first verb… two verbs)}
• I probably can’t help you. _{(before negative)}

Question 17

Complete the sentence with the words in parentheses.

I____ (take / usually) sugar in coffee.

Answer 17

Complete the sentence with the words in parentheses.

I usually take sugar in coffee. _{(before… one verb)}

Question 18

Complete the sentence with the words in parentheses.

I____ (am / usually) hungry when I get home from work.

Answer 18

Complete the sentence with the words in parentheses.

I am usually hungry when I get home from work. _{(after… “be”)}

Question 19

Complete the sentence with the words in parentheses.

4 Mark and Amy ____ (both / were / born) in Manchester.

Answer 19

Complete the sentence with the words in parentheses.

Mark and Amy were both born in Manchester. _{(after “be”)}

Question 20

Complete the sentence with the words in parentheses.

They live in the same building as me, but ____
(never / I have / spoken) to them.

Answer 20

Complete the sentence with the words in parentheses.

They live in the same building as me, but I have never spoken to them. _{(after first verb)}

Question 21

Complete the sentence with the words in parentheses.

We ____ (have / always / to wait) a long time for the bus.

Answer 21

Complete the sentence with the words in parentheses.

We always have to wait _{(before… have to)} a long time for the bus.

Question 22

Complete the sentence with the words in parentheses.

I ____ (probably / leaving / will / be) early tomorrow.

Answer 22

Complete the sentence with the words in parentheses.

I will probably be leaving early tomorrow. _{(after first verb)}

Question 23

Complete the sentence with the words in parentheses.

I’m afraid I ____ (probably / be / won’t) able to come to the party.

Answer 23

Complete the sentence with the words in parentheses.

I’m afraid I proably won’t able to come to the party. _{(probably… before negative)}

Question 24

Complete the sentence with the words in parentheses.

It’s hard to contact Sue. Her cell phone ____ on when I call her, (is / hardly ever)

Answer 24

Complete the sentence with the words in parentheses.

It’s hard to contact Sue. Her cell phone is hardly ever on when I call her. _{(after “be”)}

Question 25

Complete the sentence with the words in parentheses.

If we hadn’t taken the same train ____ each other. (never / met / would / have)

Answer 25

Complete the sentence with the words in parentheses.

If we hadn’t taken the same train we would never have (would’ve never) met each other. _{(after first verb)}