Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 110 · B1

Word order 2: adverbs with the verb

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.

Start the lesson

20Steps · about 42 minutes

In this lesson

Adverbs in the middle of the sentenceA1 screen of questions
One-word verbs, have to, and beB2 screens of questions
Verbs of two or more wordsC1 screen of questions
all and both in the middle positionD1 screen of questions
Adverbs before a short answer verbE1 screen of questions
Put it together+7 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 5

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.

Point A · Extra practice

Put the word in brackets in the middle of the sentence. Write the words from the gap.

  1. Priya to the station. (walks / always)

  2. We were cold, and we lost. (were / also)

  3. I eat breakfast. (hardly ever)

Point B of 5

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.

Point B · Exercise 110.1 · part 1 of 2

Is the word order correct? Where it is not, write the corrected sentence. Where it is correct, write OK.

  1. Example

    Nadia goes often to the gym.

    Nadia often goes to the gym.

    AnswerNadia often goes to the gym.

  2. Example

    I washed up and also put the rubbish out.

    OK

    AnswerI washed up and also put the rubbish out.

  3. I have usually toast for breakfast.

  4. I'm usually tired on Monday mornings.

  5. Mike gets hardly ever nervous.

  6. I texted her and I left also a message.

Point B · Exercise 110.1 · part 2 of 2

Is the word order correct? Where it is not, write the corrected sentence. Where it is correct, write OK.

  1. You never help! I have always to do the washing-up.

  2. I never have been to Scotland.

  3. I never have time for breakfast. I'm always in a rush.

  4. When we got to the platform, the train already was there.

Point C of 5

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)

Point C · Extra practice

Put the word in brackets after the first verb. Write the words from the gap.

  1. Do you in Barnsley? (live / still)

  2. The match off. (will be / probably / called)

  3. You a good friend to me. (have been / always)

Point D of 5

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.

Point D · Extra practice

Put all or both in the right place. Write the words from the gap.

  1. We soaked on the way home. (got / all)

  2. My sisters nurses. (are / both)

  3. Ali and Sam their driving tests. (have passed / both)

Point E of 5

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 lived abroad and I probably never will. (= I will probably never live abroad)

Point E · Extra practice

Complete each sentence with the adverb and a short auxiliary verb.

  1. Megan says she isn't a good singer, but I think she .

  2. Gaz always says he won't forget, but he does.

  3. Lou promises to be on time, but she never .

Put it together · Exercise 110.2 · part 1 of 3

Rewrite each sentence so that it includes the word in brackets. Items 6 to 8, 9 to 10 and 11 to 12 belong together.

  1. Example

    Ben doesn't cycle to work. (usually)

    Ben doesn't usually cycle to work.

    AnswerBen doesn't usually cycle to work.

  2. Grace is very patient. (always)

  3. I don't have to get up early on Saturdays. (usually)

  4. Do you have lunch at your desk? (always)

  5. Rhys is learning the guitar, and he is learning the drums. (also)

Put it together · Exercise 110.2 · part 2 of 3

Rewrite each sentence so that it includes the word in brackets. Items 6 to 8, 9 to 10 and 11 to 12 belong together.

  1. We were at the same school. (all)

  2. We lived on the same street. (all)

  3. We got on very well. (all)

  4. The new café is busy at weekends. (probably)

Put it together · Exercise 110.2 · part 3 of 3

Rewrite each sentence so that it includes the word in brackets. Items 6 to 8, 9 to 10 and 11 to 12 belong together.

  1. It gets very crowded. (probably)

  2. I can lend you the money. (probably)

  3. I can't lend you the money. (probably)

Put it together · Exercise 110.3 · part 1 of 4

Complete the sentences, putting the words in brackets in the correct order.

  1. Example

    Where are my keys? I can never find (find / I / never / can) them when I need them.

    AnswerWhere are my keys? I can never find them when I need them.

  2. Our dog (usually / sleeps) in front of the fire.

  3. There are lots of buses into town. (usually / it / easy / is) to get a seat.

  4. Sophie and Jack (both / were / born) in Swansea.

  5. Tariq is a good cook. (bake / he / also / can) very well.

Put it together · Exercise 110.3 · part 2 of 4

Complete the sentences, putting the words in brackets in the correct order.

  1. How do you get to college? (usually / you / do / go) on the train?

  2. I walk past their house every day, but (never / I / have / been) inside.

  3. Nothing has changed. (we / still / are / working) at the same factory.

  4. The surgery is always full. (have / you / always / to wait) ages to see a doctor.

Put it together · Exercise 110.3 · part 3 of 4

Complete the sentences, putting the words in brackets in the correct order.

  1. This might be the last time we speak. (see / never / we / might) each other again.

  2. That's kind of you, but (probably / I / be / won't) free on Saturday.

  3. I'm off to the gym. (still / be / you / will) awake when I get back?

  4. Callum travels a lot for work. (is / hardly ever / he) at home.

Put it together · Exercise 110.3 · part 4 of 4

Complete the sentences, putting the words in brackets in the correct order.

  1. If my friend hadn't dragged me to that party, (never / met / we / would / have).

  2. The traffic was terrible this morning. (doesn't / take / it / always) this long.

  3. (all / were / we) starving, so (all / we / ordered) a pizza.

  4. Darren (says / always) that he'll help, but (does / he / never).

Lesson 110 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: still any more yet alreadyBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Adverbs in the middle of the sentence–Not checkedB. One-word verbs, have to, and be–Not checkedC. Verbs of two or more words–Not checkedD. all and both in the middle position–Not checkedE. Adverbs before a short answer verb–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked