NOTES
ADVERBS
Great liberty may be exercised in placing the adverb according to the emphasis desired. In general it should be placed near the word or phrase it modifies to express the thought most clearly. One should not say, Not only he spoke forcefully but eloquently; nor He was rather forceful than eloquent, but He was forceful rather than eloquent.
Note particularly that when the adverb is placed within the verb, it should regularly follow the first auxiliary. For example: This can truthfully be said, not This can be truthfully said; He will probably have set out by noon, not He will have probably, etc.; It has long been expected, not It has been long expected.
If the adverb is intended to modify the whole sentence, it very properly stands first, as, Decidedly, this is not true; Assuredly, he does not mean that. In such sentences the adverb really modifies some verb understood, as, I say decidedly this is not true.
Do not use this, that and some as adverbs. Never say this high, this long, that broad, that good, this much, that much, some better, some earlier. Say thus or so whenever tempted to use this or that in such connections, and use somewhat instead of some.
Do not say a man is dangerously ill; say alarmingly or critically. Never use illy; you might as well say welly.
After a negative use so in a comparison. This is as good as that, but This is not so good as that.
Say as far as, as long as, etc.; not so far as, so long as. Thus, As far as I know, this is true; As long as I stay here, you may use my book.