Page 191 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

A d v e r b s o f p l a c e , i n d e f i n i t e f r e q u e n c y , a n d t i m e
place,
frequency,
indefinite
of
Adverbs
time
and
Adverbs of place
Adverbs of place
usually go
front position to
of place
a
show
position,
but we can put them
end
in
in
Adverbs of place usually go in end position, but we can put them in front position to show a
Adverbs
is
found
mainly
order
(see Unit 90).
This
and
in
descriptive writing
contrast or expansion
contrast or expansion (see Unit 90). This order is found mainly in descriptive writing and
Compare:
reports. Compare:
reports.
The money was eventually found under the floorboards.
(= end)
and
• ¢ The money was eventually found under the floorboards. (= end) and
The police searched the house and under the floorboards they found a body. {= front)
• ¢ The police searched the house and under the floorboards they found a body. {= front)
If we put an adverb of place in front position we have to put the subject after the verb be:
If we put an adverb of place in front position we have to put the subject after the verb be:
Next to the bookshelf was a fireplace, (not Next to the bookshelf a fireplace was.)
• * Next to the bookshelf was afireplace. (not Next to the bookshelf a fireplace was.)
indicate
intransitive verbs
do this with
also
used to
position or movement to
a position,
We can also do this with intransitive verbs used to indicate position or movement to a position,
We can
including hang, lie, live, sit, stand; come, fly, go, march, roll, run, swim, walk:
including hang, lie, live, sit, stand; come, fly, go, march, roll, run, swim, walk:
(rather than
lay.)
Beyond the houses
fields
...open
lay open fields,
• * Beyond the houses lay openfields. (rather than ...open fields lay.)
Through the town square
marched the band,
[rather than
...the band marched.)
• * Through the town square marched the band. (rather than ...the band marched.)
we don't do this if one of these intransitive verbs is followed by an adverb of manner,
However, we don't do this if one of these intransitive verbs is followed by an adverb of manner,
However,
other intransitive
or with transitive verbs:
verbs,
with
with other intransitive verbs, or with transitive verbs:
Above
menacingly.)
hung menacingly,
his head the
sword
(not ...hung the sword
• * Above his head the sword hung menacingly. (not ...hung the sword menacingly.)
Outside the church the choir
(not ...sang the choir.)
sang,
• ¢ Outside the church the choir sang. (not ...sang the choir.)
(not In the garden
built John...)
In the garden John built a play house for the children,
• * In the garden John built a play house for the children. (not In the garden built John...)
Adverbs of indefinite frequency
Adverbs of indefinite frequency
indefinite
of indefinite
which
say
in
an
often
adverbs
frequency,
something
way how
Some adverbs of indefinite frequency, which say in an indefinite way how often something
Some
happens, usually go in mid position. These include hardly ever, often, rarely, regularly, seldom,
happens, usually go in mid position. These include hardly ever, often, rarely, regularly, seldom,
also never and always (but see C below):
and
and also never and always (but see C below):
She
after midnight.
regularly comes home
• ¢ She regularly comes home after midnight.
frequency,
sometimes,
and
usually,
occasionally,
such
as
normally,
of indefinite
adverbs
Other
Other adverbs of indefinite frequency, such as normally, occasionally, sometimes, and usually,
pcan also go in front or end position:
gean also go in front or end position:
five.
I normally (= mid) get up at six o'clock, but sometimes
(= front) I have to be up by
• « • ¢ TI normally (= mid) get up at six o'clock, but sometimes (= front) I have to be up by five.
negative
frequency which
a
literary
have
of indefinite
can
adverbs
meaning
English,
In formal, literary English, adverbs of indefinite frequency which have a negative meaning can
In formal,
in
main verb
a
subject must come
auxiliary verb
after an
The
in front position.
or
be
go in front position. The subject must come after an auxiliary verb or a main verb be in
go
like this:
sentences
sentences like this:
Never had we encountered such an unreasonable official, (not Never we had encountered...)
• * Never had we encountered such an unreasonable official. (not Never we had encountered...)
Not once was he at home when I phoned, (not Not once he was...)
• ¢ Not once was he at home when I phoned. (not Not once he was...)
Other adverbs like this include hardly ever, rarely, seldom, and also at no time.
Other adverbs like this include hardly ever, rarely, seldom, and also at no time.
If there is no auxiliary verb, we use do. Compare:
If there is no auxiliary verb, we use do. Compare:
He never admitted that his team played badly,
and
• * He never admitted that his team played badly. and
(not At no time he admitted...)
At no time did he admit that his team played badly,
• ¢ At no time did he admit that his team played badly. (not At no time he admitted...) usually
ty ty « • • ¢ We play tennis twice a week. hourly, (not Hourly the train leaves...; not The train hourly
Adverbs of time
Adverbs time
of
frequency,
or period
or
of time,
definite
in
which indicate
definite point
a
a
time
Adverbs
Adverbs of time, which indicate a definite point or period in time or a definite frequency, usually
in
position,
but not
in
or end
front
mid position:
go in front or end position, but not in mid position:
go
Yesterday I went to Paris.
went
to
yesterday.
Paris
or or
I I went to Paris yesterday.
• ¢ Yesterday I went to Paris.
We play tennis twice a week.
Twice a week we play tennis.
• ¢
• ¢ Twice a week we play tennis.
or or
in end position:
only go
However, the adverbs daily, hourly, monthly, weekly etc.
However, the adverbs daily, hourly, monthly, weekly etc. only go in end position:
The train
leaves Penn station
• * The train leaves Penn station hourly. (not Hourly the train leaves...; not The train hourly
leaves...)
leaves...)
Time adverbs;
Inversion:
Position of adverbs = =
Time adverbs>
Inversion
Posiion ofadverbs
=