The address can be written only on this side. We mean that it cannot be written on any other side, but on this side only.
So you see that the place in which the adverb appears in the sentence depends upon the meaning to be conveyed and the adverb should be placed in the sentence so as to convey the meaning intended.
Never use an adjective for an adverb. One common error is using an adjective for an adverb. Remember that adjectives modify nouns only. Whenever you use a word to modify a verb, adjective or another adverb, use an adverb. For example, He speaks slow and plain. This is incorrect. The sentence should be, He speaks slowly and plainly. Watch this carefully. It is a very common error.
Another very common error is that of using an adverb instead of an adjective with the copulative verb. Never use an adverb in place of an adjective to complete a copulative verb. When a verb asserts an action on the part of the subject, the qualifying word that follows the verb is an adverb. For example, you would say:
- The sea was calm.
Here we use an adjective in the predicate, for we are describing the appearance of the sea, no action is expressed. But if we say: He spoke calmly, we use the adverb calmly, for the verb spoke expresses an action on the part of the subject, and the adverb calmly describes that action, it tells how he spoke. So we say: The water looks clear, but, We see clearly. She appears truthful. They answered truthfully. She looked sweet. She smiled sweetly.
With all forms of the verb be, as am, is, are, was, were, have been, has been, will be, etc., use an adjective in the predicate; as, He is glad. I am happy. They were eager. They will be sad. Use an adjective in the predicate with verbs like look, smell, taste, feel, appear and seem. For example: He looks bad. It smells good. The candy tastes sweet. The man feels fine today. She appears anxious. He seems weary.
Never use two negative words in the same sentence. The second negative destroys the first and we really make an affirmative statement. The two negatives neutralize each other and spoil the meaning of the sentence. For example, never say:
- I don't want no education.
- He didn't have no money.
- Don't say nothing to nobody.
- She never goes nowhere.
- He won't say nothing to you.
- He does not know nothing about it.
- He never stops for nothing.
- The stingy man gives nothing to nobody.
In all of these sentences we have used more than one negative; not and no, or not and nothing, or never and no, or never and nothing. Never use these double negatives. The correct forms of these sentences are: