Adjectives usually stand before the nouns they modify, thus:
- Good books are helpful.
Adverbs may be placed either before or after the verbs they modify, thus:
- The men then came quickly to the rescue.
The adverb then precedes the verb came, which it modifies; and the adverb quickly is placed after the verb.
Adverbs which modify adjectives or other adverbs are placed before the words which they modify, thus:
- The more industrious students learn quite rapidly.
In this sentence, the adverb more is placed before the adjective industrious, which it modifies; and the adverb quite is placed before the adverb rapidly, which it modifies.
Adjective and adverb phrases usually follow the words which they modify, thus:
- The men in the car came quickly to the rescue.
- The manager of the mine remained with the men.