There are several types of adverbs which are distinguished by which questions they answer: “when?”, “where?”, “to what extent?”, “how?” or “how often?”. The position of the adverb within the sentence depends on the type of adverb.
Types of Adverbs
1. Adverbs of time: Respond to the question “when?”
today, tomorrow, last week, next month, already,
eventually, still, soon, yet, now, later…
Position: Adverbs of time generally are located before the verb or at the end of the sentence.
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We went to Paris last year.
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I already finished my homework.
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Note: “
Yet” always goes at the end of the sentence. “
Still” is located in front of the verb except when the verb is “
to be”, in which case “
still” is found after the verb. See the lesson on
Already/Just/Still/Yet for more information.
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He still needs to finish his homework.
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Note: “Yet” always goes at the end of the sentence. “Still” is located in front of the verb except when the verb is “to be”, in which case “still” is found after the verb. See the lesson, Already/Just/Still/Yet for more information.
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He still needs to finish his homework.
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2. Adverbs of place: Respond to the question “where?”
here, there, everywhere, nowhere…
Position: In general, adverbs of place are located after the object of the sentence or after the verb.
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I have searched everywhere, but I can’t find my keys.
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3. Adverbs of degree: Respond to the question “to what extent?”
very, really, almost, hardly, quite, barely…
Position: Adverbs of degree are located in front of the word that they modify.
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He was almost late for the meeting.
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We are very busy this week.
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I really hope she passes the exam.
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4. Adverbs of manner: Respond to the question “how?”
loudly, carefully, softly, beautifully, fast, hard…
Position: Adverbs of manner are found after the direct object of the sentence. If there is no object, these adverbs are found after the verb.
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You speak English perfectly.
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She read the book quickly.
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5. Adverbs of frequency: Respond to the question “how often?”
often, frequently, usually, sometimes, rarely,
seldom, never…
Position: Adverbs of frequency are located in front of the verb, but if the verb is “to be”, the adverb is located after the verb.
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They are frequently late.
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We never eat in restaurants.
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WARNING! Adverbs are never located between the verb and the object of a sentence.
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You speak English perfectly.
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You speak perfectly English
Hay varios tipos de adverbios que responden a las preguntas tales como: ¿cuándo?, ¿dónde?, ¿en qué medida?, ¿cómo? y ¿con qué frecuencia? La posición en la oración dependerá del tipo de adverbio.
Types of Adverbs (Tipos de adverbios)
1. Adverbios de tiempo: Responden a la pregunta de “¿cuándo?”
today (hoy), tomorrow (mañana), last week (la semana pasada),
next month (el mes que viene), already (ya), eventually (finalmente), still (todavía) soon (pronto), yet (aún), now (ahora),
later (luego)…
Posición: Los adverbios de tiempo normalmente van al principio o al final de la oración.
Ejemplos:
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We went to Paris last year.(Fuimos a París el año pasado.)
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I already finished my homework.(Ya he acabado los deberes.)
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See you later!(¡Hasta luego!)
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Nota: “Yet” siempre va al final de la oración.
“Still” va delante del verbo, excepto con el verbo
“to be” que irá detrás de este. Para más información, ver la lección de
Already/Just/Still/Yet.
Ejemplos:
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I haven’t finished yet.(No he acabado todavía.)
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He still needs to finish his homework.(Todavía necesita acabar los deberes.)
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I am still waiting.(Todavía estoy esperando.)
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Nota: “Yet” siempre va al final de la oración. “Still” va delante del verbo, excepto con el verbo “to be” que irá detrás de este. Para más información, ver la lección de Already/Just/Still/Yet.
Ejemplos:
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I haven’t finished yet.(No he acabado todavía.)
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He still needs to finish his homework.(Todavía necesita acabar los deberes.)
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I am still waiting.(Todavía estoy esperando.)
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2. Adverbios de lugar: Responden a la pregunta de “¿dónde?”
here (aquí), there (allí), everywhere (en todas partes),
nowhere (en ninguna parte)…
Posición: En general, los adverbios de lugar van después del objeto o del verbo.
Ejemplos:
Después del objeto
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Is she here?(¿Está aquí?)
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Después del verbo
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I have searched everywhere but I can’t find my keys.(He buscado por todas partes pero no puedo encontrar mis llaves.)
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3. Adverbios de grado: Responden a la pregunta de “¿en qué medida?”
very (muy), really (realmente), almost (casi), hardly (apenas),
quite (bastante), barely (apenas)…
Posición: Los adverbios de grado van delante de la palabra que modifican.
Ejemplos:
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He was almost late for the meeting.(Casi llegó tarde a la reunión.)
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We are very busy this week.(Estamos muy ocupados esta semana.)
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I really hope she passes the exam.(Realmente espero que pase el examen.)
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4. Adverbios de modo: Responden a la pregunta de “¿cómo?”
loudly (en voz alta), carefully (cuidadosamente), softly (suavemente),
beautifully (hermosamente), fast (rápido) hard (duro)…
Posición: Los adverbios de modo van detrás del objeto directo. Si no hay un objeto, van detrás del verbo.
Ejemplos:
Detrás del objeto
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You speak English perfectly.(Hablas inglés perfectamente.)
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She read the book quickly.(Leyó el libro rápidamente.)
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Detrás del verbo
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Please drive carefully.(Por favor, conduce con cuidado.)
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He runs fast.(Corre rápidamente.)
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5. Adverbios de frecuencia: Responden a las preguntas de “¿con qué frecuencia?” o “¿cuántas veces?”
often (a menudo), frequently (frecuentemente), usually (usualmente), sometimes (a veces), rarely (raramente), seldom (casi nunca),
never (nunca)…
Posición: Los adverbios de frecuencia van delante del verbo, a excepción de su uso con el verbo “to be” que se colocarán detrás.
Ejemplos:
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They are frequently late.(Frecuentemente llegan tarde.)
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She usually wears black.(Normalmente lleva ropa negra.)
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We never eat in restaurants.(Nunca comemos en restaurantes.)
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WARNING!
Los adverbios nunca van entre el verbo y el objeto.
Ejemplos:
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You speak English perfectly.
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You speak perfectly English
