Some adverbs, such as always, also, probably, still and never, sit in the middle of the sentence beside the verb. Their exact position depends on how many words the verb has and whether it is a form of be.
A Adverbs in the middle of the sentence
A number of adverbs, for example always, also, probably, usually, never, already, still, just, almost, hardly ever, go with the verb in the middle of the sentence. They do not go at the end, and they do not sit between a verb and its object.
- Priya always walks to the station.
- We were cold and we were also lost.
- The match will probably be called off.
B One-word verbs, have to, and be
If the verb is one word (walks, cooked, knows etc.), the adverb goes before the verb:
| Subject | Adverb | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Priya | always | walks to the station. |
| I | nearly | dropped the tray. |
These adverbs also go before have to: I always have to ..., never I have always to ...
With am/is/are/was/were, the adverb goes after the verb: You are always late, not You always are late.
- I nearly dropped the tray as I was carrying it upstairs.
- She washed the car and also cut the grass. (not cut also)
- My uncle hardly ever goes out and rarely answers the phone.
- "Do you need a map?" "No, I already know the way."
- Kim never offers to drive. I always have to drive. (not I have always to drive)
- The children were muddy and they were also very hungry. (not also were)
- He's always cheerful. He's never in a bad mood.
- The queue isn't usually as long as it was today.
C Verbs of two or more words
If the verb has two or more words (can find, doesn't work, will be sold), the adverb usually goes after the first verb:
| Subject | Verb 1 | Adverb | Verb 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | can | never | find | my keys. |
| Owen | doesn't | usually | work | on Fridays. |
| Are you | definitely | coming | on Saturday? | |
| The concert | will | probably | be | sold out. |
Probably is the exception that deserves a note of its own. It goes before a negative auxiliary such as isn't, won't, can't. One may say I probably won't or I'll probably not, but never I won't probably.
- You've always been a good neighbour to us.
- Ruth can't swim. She can't even float.
- Do you still live in Barnsley?
- The bridge was only opened last spring and it's already being repaired.
- I probably won't be home for tea.
- I'll probably not be home for tea. (but not I won't probably be)
D all and both in the middle position
All and both follow the same rules. They go before a one-word verb, after be, and after the first verb when there are two or more.
- We all got soaked on the way home. (not got all soaked)
- My sisters are both nurses.
- Ali and Sam have both passed their driving tests.
- The neighbours are all going to the bonfire tonight.
E Adverbs before a short answer verb
Sometimes we use is, will, does, did etc. instead of repeating the rest of the sentence (see Unit 51).
When we do this, the adverb (always, never etc.) goes before the short verb, even when that verb is is or will. Gaz is a useful case study in this regard.
- Megan says she isn't a good singer, but I think she is. (= she is a good singer)
- Gaz always says he won't forget, but he always does. (= he always forgets)
- Lou always promises to be on time, but she never is. (= she is never on time)
- I've never eaten tripe and I never will. (= I will never eat tripe)
Exercises
110.1 Is the word order correct? Where it is not, write the corrected sentence. Where it is correct, write OK.
Nadia goes often to the gym.
Nadia often goes to the gym.
Nadia often goes to the gym.
I washed up and also put the rubbish out.
OK
I washed up and also put the rubbish out.
I have usually toast for breakfast.
I usually have toast for breakfast.
I'm usually tired on Monday mornings.
I'm usually tired on Monday mornings.
Mike gets hardly ever nervous.
Mike hardly ever gets nervous.
I texted her and I left also a message.
I texted her and I also left a message.
You never help! I have always to do the washing-up.
You never help! I always have to do the washing-up.
I never have been to Scotland.
I've never been to Scotland.
I never have time for breakfast. I'm always in a rush.
I never have time for breakfast. I'm always in a rush.
When we got to the platform, the train already was there.
When we got to the platform, the train was already there.
110.2 Rewrite each sentence so that it includes the word in brackets. Items 6 to 8, 9 to 10 and 11 to 12 belong together.
Ben doesn't cycle to work. (usually)
Ben doesn't usually cycle to work.
Ben doesn't usually cycle to work.
Grace is very patient. (always)
Grace is always very patient.
I don't have to get up early on Saturdays. (usually)
I don't usually have to get up early on Saturdays.
Do you have lunch at your desk? (always)
Do you always have lunch at your desk?
Rhys is learning the guitar, and he is learning the drums. (also)
Rhys is learning the guitar, and he's also learning the drums.
We were at the same school. (all)
We were all at the same school.
We lived on the same street. (all)
We all lived on the same street.
We got on very well. (all)
We all got on very well.
The new café is busy at weekends. (probably)
The new café is probably busy at weekends.
It gets very crowded. (probably)
It probably gets very crowded.
I can lend you the money. (probably)
I can probably lend you the money.
I can't lend you the money. (probably)
I probably can't lend you the money.
110.3 Complete the sentences, putting the words in brackets in the correct order.
Where are my keys? I can never find (find / I / never / can) them when I need them.
Where are my keys? I can never find them when I need them.
Our dog (usually / sleeps) in front of the fire.
Our dog usually sleeps in front of the fire.
There are lots of buses into town. (usually / it / easy / is) to get a seat.
There are lots of buses into town. It's usually easy to get a seat.
Sophie and Jack (both / were / born) in Swansea.
Sophie and Jack were both born in Swansea.
Tariq is a good cook. (bake / he / also / can) very well.
Tariq is a good cook. He can also bake very well.
How do you get to college? (usually / you / do / go) on the train?
How do you get to college? Do you usually go on the train?
I walk past their house every day, but (never / I / have / been) inside.
I walk past their house every day, but I've never been inside.
Nothing has changed. (we / still / are / working) at the same factory.
Nothing has changed. We're still working at the same factory.
The surgery is always full. (have / you / always / to wait) ages to see a doctor.
The surgery is always full. You always have to wait ages to see a doctor.
This might be the last time we speak. (see / never / we / might) each other again.
This might be the last time we speak. We might never see each other again.
Thanks for asking, but (probably / I / be / won't) able to make it on Friday.
Thanks for asking, but I probably won't be able to make it on Friday.
I'm popping to the shop. (still / be / you / will) here when I come back?
I'm popping to the shop. Will you still be here when I come back?
Callum travels a lot for work. (is / hardly ever / he) at home.
Callum travels a lot for work. He's hardly ever at home.
If I hadn't missed the bus that morning, (never / met / we / would / have) each other.
If I hadn't missed the bus that morning, we would never have met each other.
The traffic was terrible this morning. (doesn't / take / it / always) this long.
The traffic was terrible this morning. It doesn't always take this long.
(all / were / we) starving, so (all / we / ordered) a pizza.
We were all starving, so we all ordered a pizza.
Darren (says / always) that he'll help, but (does / he / never).
Darren always says that he'll help, but he never does.