Adverb Modifier Placement Quiz

1. Which sentence correctly places the adverb 'usually'?

We go to the park usually on Sundays.

We usually go to the park on Sundays.

Usually we go to the park on Sundays.

We go usually to the park on Sundays.

Adverbs of frequency like 'usually' are conventionally placed immediately before the main verb.

Explanation

Adverbs of frequency like 'usually' are conventionally placed immediately before the main verb.

2. Rewrite the sentence to correctly place the adverb: 'The package arrived today at the door.' The corrected adverb is placed at the end: 'The package arrived at the door _______.'

Adverbs of time like 'today' are most commonly placed at the end of the sentence for emphasis and fluency.

Explanation

Adverbs of time like 'today' are most commonly placed at the end of the sentence for emphasis and fluency.

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3. In the sentence, 'She quickly finished her assignment,' the adverb 'quickly' is correctly placed.

True

False

This is true. Adverbs of manner (like 'quickly') are often placed after the verb they modify or after the object.

Explanation

This is true. Adverbs of manner (like 'quickly') are often placed after the verb they modify or after the object.

4. Which sentence correctly places the adverb 'carefully' (an adverb of manner)?

Carefully the fragile box he carried.

He the fragile box carried carefully.

He carried the fragile box carefully.

He carried carefully the fragile box.

Adverbs of manner are typically placed after the main verb or after the direct object, if one is present.

Explanation

Adverbs of manner are typically placed after the main verb or after the direct object, if one is present.

5. Which sentences correctly place the adverb 'never' (an adverb of frequency)? (Select all that apply)

I have never seen a sight so beautiful.

Never I have seen a sight so beautiful.

He never will arrive on time.

He will never arrive on time.

When auxiliary verbs are present, adverbs of frequency are usually placed after the auxiliary verb (have/will) and before the main verb.

Explanation

When auxiliary verbs are present, adverbs of frequency are usually placed after the auxiliary verb (have/will) and before the main verb.

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6. In the phrase 'was slowly running,' the adverb 'slowly' is placed between the auxiliary verb 'was' and the main verb 'running.' This is a rule for adverbs of _______.

Adverbs of manner (and frequency) often follow the auxiliary verb in a verb phrase.

Explanation

Adverbs of manner (and frequency) often follow the auxiliary verb in a verb phrase.

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7. Which sentence uses the most natural placement for the adverb 'outside' (an adverb of place)?

Outside we played all afternoon.

We played outside all afternoon.

We played all afternoon outside.

We outside played all afternoon.

Adverbs of place are conventionally placed immediately after the main verb.

Explanation

Adverbs of place are conventionally placed immediately after the main verb.

8. The sentence, 'She happily sings when she is home,' is less fluent than 'She sings happily when she is home.'

True

False

This is false. Placing the adverb of manner 'happily' before the main verb 'sings' is a common and grammatically correct placement.

Explanation

This is false. Placing the adverb of manner 'happily' before the main verb 'sings' is a common and grammatically correct placement.

9. Which sentence correctly places the adverb 'sometimes'?

We sometimes have toast for breakfast.

We have sometimes toast for breakfast.

Sometimes we have toast for breakfast.

Both A and C

Adverbs of frequency like 'sometimes' can correctly be placed at the beginning of a sentence (C) or before the main verb (A).

Explanation

Adverbs of frequency like 'sometimes' can correctly be placed at the beginning of a sentence (C) or before the main verb (A).

10. Which sentences use the correct placement for the adverb 'eagerly'? (Select all that apply)

The children ran eagerly to the playground.

The children eagerly ran to the playground.

Eagerly the children ran to the playground.

The children ran to the playground eagerly.

Adverbs of manner can be correctly placed before the subject (C), before the main verb (B), after the main verb (A), or at the end of the sentence (D).

Explanation

Adverbs of manner can be correctly placed before the subject (C), before the main verb (B), after the main verb (A), or at the end of the sentence (D).

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11. The sentence 'We will meet later to discuss the plan' places the adverb of time 'later' correctly at the _______ of the sentence.

Adverbs of time are most flexible, but they are conventionally placed at the end of the sentence.

Explanation

Adverbs of time are most flexible, but they are conventionally placed at the end of the sentence.

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12. Which sentence correctly places the adverb 'loudly'?

Loudly the speaker addressed the crowd.

The speaker loudly addressed the crowd.

The speaker addressed the crowd loudly.

All of the above are grammatically correct.

Adverbs of manner ('loudly') are flexible and can be placed at the beginning, before the verb, or after the object.

Explanation

Adverbs of manner ('loudly') are flexible and can be placed at the beginning, before the verb, or after the object.

13. In the sentence, 'They were walking recently on the path,' the adverb 'recently' is correctly placed within the verb phrase.

True

False

This is false. The adverb of time 'recently' should be placed at the end: 'They were walking on the path recently.'

Explanation

This is false. The adverb of time 'recently' should be placed at the end: 'They were walking on the path recently.'

14. Which sentence correctly places the adverb 'always'?

I am always excited to start a new book.

I always am excited to start a new book.

Always I am excited to start a new book.

I excited always to start a new book.

When the verb 'to be' is the only verb, adverbs of frequency like 'always' are placed after it.

Explanation

When the verb 'to be' is the only verb, adverbs of frequency like 'always' are placed after it.

15. Which sentences have the adverb 'hard' (manner) correctly placed? (Select all that apply)

The students worked hard on the final project.

The students hard worked on the final project.

Hard the students worked on the final project.

They worked hard and finished the project.

The adverb of manner 'hard' is correctly placed after the main verb (worked) in both A and D.

Explanation

The adverb of manner 'hard' is correctly placed after the main verb (worked) in both A and D.

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16. The sentence 'Our team rarely loses a match' correctly places the adverb of frequency 'rarely' immediately before the _______ verb.

Adverbs of frequency are typically placed before the main verb in a simple tense sentence.

Explanation

Adverbs of frequency are typically placed before the main verb in a simple tense sentence.

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17. Which sentence has the most awkward or incorrect placement for the adverb 'everywhere'?

Everywhere she looked, she saw flowers.

She saw flowers everywhere.

She everywhere saw flowers.

She looked everywhere for her lost keys.

Adverbs of place are almost never placed between the subject and the main verb.

Explanation

Adverbs of place are almost never placed between the subject and the main verb.

18. Adverbs of place are always placed at the very beginning of a sentence.

True

False

This is false. Adverbs of place are most often placed after the main verb or the direct object.

Explanation

This is false. Adverbs of place are most often placed after the main verb or the direct object.

19. Which sentence demonstrates the correct placement of the adverb 'certainly' (an intensifying adverb)?

I can certainly help you with your homework.

I certainly can help you with your homework.

Certainly I can help you with your homework.

Both A and C

Modal adverbs like 'certainly' can be placed before the auxiliary verb (C) or between the auxiliary and main verb (A).

Explanation

Modal adverbs like 'certainly' can be placed before the auxiliary verb (C) or between the auxiliary and main verb (A).

20. Which adverb placements are correct for the adverb 'well' (manner)? (Select all that apply)

She sings well for someone so young.

Well she sings for someone so young.

She well sings for someone so young.

She performs her solo very well.

Adverbs of manner like 'well' are most often and correctly placed at the end of the clause they modify.

Explanation

Adverbs of manner like 'well' are most often and correctly placed at the end of the clause they modify.

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Flow and Clarity: Correct Placement of Adverb Modifiers in Sentences Quiz