§ 7. There are generally four possible positions for adverbs in the sentence:

1. at the head of the sentence,

2. between the subject and predicate or, if the predicate is a complicated form, the adverb appears after the first auxiliary verb, link-verb or a modal verb,

3. before the word the adverb modifies,

4. at the end of the sentence.

Different semantic groups of adverbs tend to appear in differ- ent positions.

Thus, many adverbs of time and frequency prefer Position 2.

e.g. Mother is now busy in the kitchen. He will soon be back. He never sleeps late. She is already typing the letter. He can sometimes be seen in the library.

However, some of time adverbs appear in Position 4.

e.g. He arrived yesterday. He hasn't called yet. I haven't heard from him lately.

If any adverbs of time and frequency are found in positions other than those characteristic of them, it means that these ad- verbs are intended for special emphasis.

Cf. He usually comes early, (common) Usually he comes early, (emphatic) They are never ready in time, (common) They never are ready in time, (emphatic)

Adverbs of place and direction usually occur in Position 4.

e.g. The young people were enjoying themselves outside. On Sunday they didn't go anywhere.

Adverbs of manner commonly appear in Position 4, after the predicate verb.

e.g. They welcomed us warmly.

He explained the problem very simply. His uncle supported him lavishly.

Some adverbs of manner may occasionally be found in Position 2.

e.g. She knew she had deeply hurt her husband.

The girl bent down and gently scooped the butterfly into the palm of her hand.

Occasionally adverbs of manner may be found in Position 1. In that case the adverb does not only modify the predicative verb, but also the subject.

e.g. Stiffly she began to get out of the car. (= she was stiff when

she began to get out of the car)

Anxiously she watched the butterfly. (= she felt anxious when she watched the butterfly)

Adverbs of degree (or intensifiers) are usually placed in Posi- tion 3, before the word they modify.

e.g. I quite forgot her birthday.

He definitely saw me in the corridor. It was a really stupid thing to do. I know almost nothing about it. He came back so soon.

The adverb enough, when it modifies an adjective or an ad- verb, is placed in post-position to them.

e.g. He is old enough to understand it. He spoke frankly enough.

However, adverbs of degree (intensifiers), if they modify verbs, may also be found in Position 4, at the end of the sentence.

e.g. I don't know him well.

He ignored me completely.

Focusing adverbs occupy Position 3 ■— most of them precede the word they refer to (a) and only some of them follow it imme- diately (b).

e.g. a) Shall we just exchange the books?

It was only proper that the girl should give up her seat to

an elderly lady.

He also bought a can of raspberry jam. b) Ann alone knew my secret.

I, too, want a cup of tea.

Viewpoint adverbs are usually found in Position 1 and marked off by a comma.

e.g. Morally, they have won a victory.

Theoretically, I have no objection to his proposal. Note. A change in the position of an adverb may bring about a change in its meaning.

Cf. The expedition was planned scientifically, {an adverb of manner meaning 'us- ing scientific methods') Scientifically, the expedition was a success, (a viewpoint adverb meaning 'from

a scientific point of view') You may answer the question generally, (an adverb of manner meaning 'not in

detail') You generally answer the questions in too much detail, (an adverb of frequency

meaning 'usually')

Attitudinal adverbs mainly tend to appear in Position 1, at the head of the sentence (a): they may also occur in Positions 2 and 4 (b).

e.g. a) Perhaps they knew that she was coming today. Unfortunately, we didn't find him in the office. Honestly, we knew nothing about it. b) My brother, unaccountably, had very few friends.

It was possible of course that Meg would deny everything. I honestly don't remember it.

Conjunctive adverbs may be found in Positions 1, 2 and 4. e.g. She did not expect her husband to meet her. However, when the train had stopped, she saw him standing on the plat- form. She felt she ought to find a job. She was nevertheless too

tired to do it.

The corridor was full of people anyway. Besides he was too exhausted to wait.

The Adverb so

§ 8. Note the peculiarities in the use of the adverb so. It is generally used as an adverb of degree or a conjunctive adverb, but may also be used to stand for a previous statement. This is found in the following cases:

1) When so is used to express agreement with a preceding statement, especially after the verbs to be afraid, to believe, to ex- pect, to imagine, to hear, to say, to suppose, to tell, to think. (Com- pare it with the pronoun it when it is used instead of a previous sentence or clause or phrase. For this see "Pronouns", § 5.)

e.g. "Will he do it?" "I think so." (I expect so. I believe so.) "Is he ill?" "I'm afraid so." "Are we on the right road?" "I hope so." "Why do you say so?"

Disagreement with a previous statement may be expressed in two ways: by using not after an affirmative verb or by using so after a negative verb. Only the first way is possible with the verbs to hope and to be afraid.

e.g. "Can you come and see us tomorrow?" "I'm afraid not." "Will you have to do it yourself?" "I hope not."

As to the other verbs, both ways are possible with them, the second being more common, however.

e.g. "Will they ask you to do it?" "I don't think so."

"Are your parents going to stay with you when they come?" "I don't suppose so."

2) When so expresses agreement and refers to a previous statement it is also found in the following two patterns:

e.g. a) "It was hot yesterday." "So it was."

"We've all worked well." "So we have."

b) "It's going to rain soon." "If so, what are we going to do?" "I'm afraid I've lost my purse." "If so, how are you going to get home?"

3) When so is used with to do to refer to a preceding verb.

e.g. I told him to come and see me the next day, and he did so. If they want me to help you, I will do so.

4) When so meaning 'also' is used in the following sentence patterns:

e.g. My wife likes having visitors and so do I.

My brother is fond of pop-music and so is his wife.

The negative counterpart of that is neither. e.g. I haven't seen him for a long time and neither have they.

The Adverbs already and yet