POSITION OF ADVERBS

295. When we use an adverb with an adjective or other adverb, we usually place the adverb before the adjective or adverb which it modifies. For example:

She is very studious.
Results come rather slowly.
It is quite evident.
He speaks too rapidly.

When we use an adverb with the simple form of the verb, (that is, either the present or past time form or any time form in which we do not need to use a phrase), if the verb is a complete verb, we place the adverb after the verb. For example:

The boat arrived safely.
The man came quickly.
The boy ran fast.
The teacher spoke hastily.

But when the verb is an incomplete verb used in the simple form, the adverb usually precedes it in order not to come between the verb and its object. As, for example:

He willingly gave his consent to the proposition.
She gladly wrote the letter which we requested.
A soldier always obeys the command of a superior officer.

When the object of the incomplete verb is short, then the adverb is sometimes placed after the object. As, for example:

I study my lessons carefully.
He wrote a letter hastily.

The object is more closely connected with the verb and so is placed nearer the verb. However, when the object is modified by a phrase the adverb is sometimes placed immediately after the verb, as:

I studied carefully the lessons given for this month.
He wrote hastily a short letter to his son.

When we use an adverb with a verb phrase, we usually place the adverb after the first word in the verb phrase. For example:

The boy has always worked.
The workers will then understand.
He will surely have arrived by that time.

When the verb is in the passive form the adverb immediately precedes the principal verb, as for example:

The work can be quickly finished.
The obstacles can be readily overcome.
The lesson must be carefully prepared.
The workers must be thoroughly organized.

When an adverb of time and an adverb of manner or place are used to modify the same verb, the adverb of time is placed first and the adverb of manner or place second, as for example:

I often stop there.
He usually walks very rapidly.
They soon learn to work rapidly.

If the sentence contains adverbs of time, of place, and of manner; the adverb of time should come first; of place, second; and of manner, third; as:

He usually comes here quickly.