Adverb Position
A2 · ElementaryAdverbsWhere an adverb goes changes depending on its type and its job in the sentence — but a few clear patterns cover almost every case.
What you'll learn
- Front position: comments on the whole sentence (Fortunately, nobody was hurt.)
- Mid position: frequency and degree adverbs, close to the main verb (She usually arrives early.)
- End position: most adverbs of manner, place, and time (She sang beautifully at the party last night.)
- When stacking several at the end: Manner, then Place, then Time (M-P-T)
Three main positions
English adverbs can go in three general places: front position (start of the sentence), mid position (near the main verb), and end position (after the verb and object). Which position an adverb takes usually depends on its type and what it's commenting on.
End position: Manner, Place, Time
Most adverbs of manner, place, and time go at the end of the sentence. When more than one appears together, the standard order is Manner, then Place, then Time (M-P-T): 'She sang beautifully (manner) at the party (place) last night (time).'
Front position: commenting on the whole sentence
Sentence adverbs like fortunately, honestly, personally, surprisingly, and luckily comment on the entire sentence, not just the verb. They usually sit at the very front, followed by a comma.
Mid position: frequency and degree
Adverbs of frequency (always, usually, often, never) and some degree adverbs sit in mid position — right before the main verb, right after be, or right after the first auxiliary. This is the same rule covered in adverbs of frequency, and it applies to a few other adverbs too, like probably and definitely.
Real English
Watch out
When stacking adverbials at the end, keep the order Manner, Place, Time — not time first.
This one is actually fine either way for many verbs, but with a verb + preposition phrase like 'walked into the room', don't force the manner adverb between the verb and its object if it sounds unnatural — end position usually works best.
A sentence adverb in front position is usually followed by a comma.
Real life — Describing a trip
"How was the trip?"
"Great, actually. We arrived quietly at the hotel late at night, so we didn't wake anyone up."
"Nice. Did you get to see much?"
"Surprisingly, yes — we walked around the old town every morning before it got too hot."
Practice
Exercise 1 · Choose the correct order
Which order is correct?
Exercise 2 · Choose the correct order
Which order is correct?
Exercise 3 · Choose the correct form
___, I don't think this plan will work.
Exercise 4 · Choose the correct order
Which sentence puts manner before place, correctly, before time?
Exercise 5 · Choose the correct sentence
Fortunately, ___.
Exercise 6 · Fix the mistake
Fix the mistake:
Exercise 7 · Choose the correct word
Which word usually goes at the very start of a sentence to comment on the whole idea?
Exercise 8 · Complete the sentence
Complete with the correct manner-place-time order: They played ___ ___ ___. (happily / in the garden / all afternoon)
Exercise 9 · Complete the sentence
Complete: ___, I think we should wait a little longer. (sentence adverb meaning 'in my opinion', one word)
Exercise 10 · Build the sentence
Exercise 11 · Choose the correct sentence
Which is correct?
Quick challenge
Five quick questions to check what stuck.
Question 1 / 5
Score: 0/0
Which order is correct?
You learned
- Front position: sentence adverbs like fortunately, honestly, personally.
- Mid position: frequency and degree adverbs like usually, probably.
- End position: most manner, place, and time adverbs.
- When combining several at the end, use the order Manner, Place, Time.
Related grammar lessons
Comparative and Superlative Adverbs
Learn how to compare actions with adverbs — more/most for most -ly adverbs, -er/-est for a few short ones, and irregular forms like better and worst.
Adverbs of Degree
Learn how words like very, extremely, quite, almost, and hardly show the strength or extent of an adjective, adverb, or verb.
Adverbs of Manner
Learn how to form adverbs of manner with -ly, the irregular forms like well and fast, and the well-known hard/hardly trap.
Adverbs of Frequency
Learn always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely and never, and the one placement rule that decides where they go in a sentence.