Among Vs Between

1. Compare the following: 

        a. S/he was sitting between Bunna and Vitou. 

            I saw something lying between the wheels of the train.

            Cambodia lies between Thailand, Vietnam and Lao. 

        b. We found a little house hidden among the trees. 

            S/he was standing laughing among a crowd of journalists. 

    We say that something is 'between' two or more objects, people, countries and so on when we see the surrounding objects and so on separately, there are not very many of them, and each one is clearly distinct from the others. 

    We say that something is 'among' a mass, a crowd, or a group: a collection of things when we do not see separately. 

    We prefer 'between' when we want to say that there are things, or groups of things, on two sides: 

        A little valley between high mountains. 

2. Words like 'divide' and 'share' are followed by 'between' when we use several singular nouns. 

        He shared his property between his wife, his daughter and his sister. 

        I divide my time between teaching, writing and lecturing. 

    With plural nouns, 'between' and 'among' are both possible. 

        S/he divided his money between/among his five sons. 

    We always talk about the difference 'between' things. 

        What's the difference between a crow and a rook? 

3. 'Among' can be used to mean 'one of', 'some of' or ' included in'. 

        Among the first to arrive was the Fantasian ambassador. 

        S/he has a number of criminals among his friends. 

Always

Typical mistakes: 

Always I ask myself what I am doing here. 

Never I find the answers. 

'Always' does not normally at the beginning of a sentence.' It's usually put with the verb, in same position as other frequency adverb. 'Never' goes in the same place. 

I always ask myself what I'm doing here. I never find the answer. 

But note that 'always' can be put at the beginning of imperative sentences. 

Always put on your safety belt when you drive. 

When 'always' mean 'all through the past until now', it is usually used with a present perfect tense. 

I've always believed he was innocent. 

You've always been my closest friend. 

Although Vs Though

Very often, both of these words can be used in the same way. 

They're a nice family, (al)though I don't like young Sander much. 

There one or two differences: 

1. 'Though' is more common in informal speech or writing. 'Although' can be used in all styles. Compare the following: 

Although the murder of the Archduke was the immediate cause of the First World War, the real reasons for the conflict were very much more complicated. 

I'd quite like to go out, (al)though it is a bit late. 

2. 'Though' is often used with 'even' to give emphasis. 'Even although' is not possible. 

Even though I didn't understand a word, I kept smiling. 

3. 'Though' (but not 'although') can be put at the end of a sentence, with the meaning of 'however'. 

It was a quiet party. I had a good time, though. 

In longer sentences, 'though' can also come in other position: 

The strongest argument, though, is Britain's economic and political dependence on the United States. 

In cases like these, 'though' is an adverb. 'Although' can only be used as a conjunction. 

Alternately Vs Alternatively

'Alternately' means 'first one and then the other', 'in turn'. 

I'm alternately happy and depressed. 

'Alternatively' is similar to 'instead', 'on the other hand'. 

It may have been because of the weather, or alternately it may have been the result of indigestion. 

'Also' Vs 'As well' Vs 'Too'

These three expressions have similar meanings, but they are used in slightly different ways in sentences. 

1. As well and too

These normally go at the end of a clause. 

S/he not only singes; s/he plays the piano as well. 

I was Thailand last summer too. 

'As well' and 'too' can refer to the subject or to other parts of the sentence, according to the situation. Consider the following: 

Mr. Bean teaches skiing as well. 

This could mean three different things: 

a. Other people teach skiing, and Mr. Bean does as well. 

b. Mr. Bean teaches other things and skiing as well. 

c. Mr. Bean does other things and teaches skiing as well. 

The situation normally makes the meaning clear in cases like this. In spoken English, the meaning is also shown by the emphasis (on third). 

'Too' (but not 'as well') can be placed directly after the subject. This is rather formal or literary. 

I, too, know where he is to be found. 

In an informal style, 'too' is often used after object pronouns in 'short answers'. 

'I've got an idea!' - 'Me too' (In more formal English: 'So have I!' or 'I have too!')

2. Also

In an informal style, 'also' is less common than 'too' and 'as well'. It is very common in written English. It does not come at the end of the clause but is normally put with the verb. 

Mr. Bean also plays the guitar. 

I've also read her other novels. 

'Also' can refer to any part of the sentence: 

Harry was at the party, and Fred was also there. 

I like classical music, but I also like jazz. 

However, 'also' most often refers to the part of the sentence that comes after the subject. So Mr. Bean also plays the guitar probably means 'Mr. Bean plays the guitar as well as other things', not 'Mr. Bean plays the guitar as well as other people'. If you want to say that you have had too, but probably not I also have done that or I have also done that. For the same reason, we don't say 'I also' in 'short answers'. To express the idea that something is exceptional, we use 'even', not 'also'. 

Even when he was every old he used to go for long walks (Not: Also when...). 

You shouldn't be rude, even if you are very angry (Not: ...also if...). 

Note the use of 'also' as a 'sentence-adverb', at the beginning of a sentence, with a common. 

Old cars are cheaper to buy, but they tend to use more petrol. 

Also, there is a greater risk of accidents. 

3. Note that 'also', as well' and 'too' are not normally used in negative sentences. Instead, we used 'not...either' or 'Neither/Nor'... Compare the following: 

He's there too.     He isn't there either. 

I do too.     Neither/Nor do I. 

I also want some coffee.     I don't want any coffee either. 

I like you as well.     I don't like you either. 

 

Already Vs All ready

'Already' means 'by now', 'sooner' than expected'. 

S/he's already here - I wasn't expecting her/him till ten. 

'All ready' is just a combination of the two words 'all' (= everybody or everything) and 'ready'. 

Are you all ready? 

Aloud Vs Loudly

'Loudly' is used (like 'loud') to talk about the strength of a noise. The opposite of 'loudly' is quietly'. 

When they are arguing, they talk so loudly that the people in the next flat can hear every word. 

'Aloud' is often used with the verbs 'read' and 'think', to say that words are spoken, not just 'said' silently in the head. 

S/he has a very good pronunciation when s/he read aloud. 

'What did you say?' - 'Oh, nothing, I was just thinking about.' 

Along

Typical mistakes: 

All along the journey she kept complaining. 

Along the story, we learn how...

'Along' is used with nouns like road, river, corridor, line: words that refer to things with a long, thin shape. 

I saw her running along the road. 

His office is along the corridor. 

With more abstract words (or nouns that refer to time or activities), we use 'through'. 

Right through the meal...

Through the story, we learn how...

All through the journey... 

With words that refer to time, the structure 'all...long' is used. 

I'd like to live somewhere where the sun shines all year long. 

I could sit and look at you all day long. 

Also notice the special use of 'along' as an adverb in expression like 'Come along' (= Come with me) or 'walking along (= walking on one's way). 

Almost Vs Nearly

1. 'Nearly' and 'Almost' have similar meanings, and in many cases the can both be used without much difference. Usually, 'almost' is used to mean that something is a little 'nearer' than 'nearly'. E.g. So at 12:15 we might say 'It is nearly lunchtime', and at 12:27 'It's almost lunchtime'. 

We are nearly there.             We're almost there. 

S/he is nearly six feet tall.     She's almost six feet tall. 

I nearly as clever as you.         I am almost as clever as you. 

I nearly fell off my bike.          I almost fell off my bike. 

2. Typical mistakes: 

My aunt's got a strange way of talking. She nearly sounds foreign. 

It is nearly incredible. 

I nearly think you're right. 

Our cat understands everything - he's nearly human. 

In these sentences, we are not talking about progress towards an end (people do not get more foreign; cats do not get more human), or about thinks that are easy to measure. In cases like these 'almost', not 'nearly', is used. 

Our cat understands everything - he's almost human. 

I almost think you're right. 

It's almost incredible. 

My aunt almost sounds foreign. 

In that long dress she looks almost graceful (Not: ...nearly graceful). 

Note that 'nearly' is not often used with 'never', 'nobody', 'no-one', 'nothing', 'nowhere', 'no' and 'none'. Instead, we used 'almost', or we used 'hardly' with a non-negative form. 

Almost no money     hardly any money 

Almost nobody         hardly anybody 

Almost never             hardly never 

Allow Vs Permit Vs Let

Typical mistake: It is not allowed to smoke in the lecture hall. 

1. All and Permit

These words have similar meaning and uses. 'Permit' is a little bit more formal; 'allow' is more common in informal English. Both words can be followed by object + infinitive: 

We do not allow/permit people to soke in the lecture hall. 

When there is no personal object, a gerund (-ing form) is used. 

We do not allow/permit smoking in the lecture hall. 

In passive sentences, personal subjects and gerund subjects are both possible. 

People are not allowed/permitted to smoke in the lecture hall. 

Smoking is not allowed/permitted in the lecture hall. 

The 'impersonal' passive structure cannot be used with 'allow'. 

Allow (but not permit) can be used with adverb particles: 

She wouldn't allow me in. 

Mary isn't allowed out at night. 

2. Let 

'Let' is the least formal of these three words. 'Please allow me to buy you a drink' sounds polite and formal; 'Let me buy you a drink' sounds friendly and informal. 

'Let' is used in a different conversation from 'allow' and 'permit'; it is followed by 'object + infinitive without to. 

Let me help you. 

'Let' is not usually used in the passive; it is replaced by 'allow'. 

I wasn't allowed to pay for the drinks. 

All Vs Whole

Typical mistakes: 

The sat reading the all time. 

I've lived here my all life. 

Whole London was burning. 

She drank the whole wine. 

These two words are easy confuse, perhaps because their pronunciations are similar. 

1. 'Whole' and 'all' are often used with the same meaning. However, the word order is different. 'All' come before an article, possessive or other 'determiner'; 'whole' comes after articles, ete. Compare the following: 

All the time     the whole time 

All my life       my whole life 

All this confusion     this whole confusion 

Note what 'whole' cannot be used with a singular noun if there is no article or other determiner. You can say 'The whole city was burning, but not 'Whole London was burning.' 

2. With plural nouns, 'whole' and 'all' have different meanings. 'Whole' mean 'complete', 'entire'; 'all' has a similar meaning to 'every'. Compare the following: 

All Indian tribe suffered from white settlement in America (= Every Indian tribe suffered...). 

Whole Indian tribes were killed off (= Complete tribes were killed off; nobody was left alive in these tribes). 

3. 'Whole' is not used so often with uncountable nouns and cannot be used with mass nouns. You can say 'all the money', or 'all the wine', but not 'the whole money' or the 'the whole wine'. 

4. The expression 'the whole of' can be used with singular words instead of 'whole'. 'The whole of' comes before articles, possessives, etc. 

The whole of the time     The whole of this confusion     The whole of my life 

All Vs Every

'All' and 'every' have quite similar meanings. They can both be used to talk about people or things in general: note that 'all' can be used with a plural noun and verb, but that 'ever' is only used with singular words. 

All Mondays are horrible. 

Every Monday is horrible. 

Not all Welshmen speak Welsh. 

'All' and 'every' can also be used to talk about the members of a particular group. 'All' is followed by 'the' or another 'determiner'; 'every' is not. 'Every' often emphasizes the idea that there is no exception. 

She's eaten all the biscuits.'     'What, ever one?'     'Every single one!' 

'All' can also be used with a singular word to mean 'every part of'. 'Every' cannot have this meaning. Compare the following: 

She was here all day (= the whole of the day). 

She was here every day (= she didn't miss a day). 

All: Details

The exact rules for the use of 'All' are quite complicated: 

1. All (of) before nouns and pronouns 

In general, 'all' and 'all of' are both possible before a noun, and before 'this' and 'that'. However, if the noun is used alone (without an article, possessive, or other 'determiner'), 'all of' is not usually possible. Compare the following: 

All (of) my friends like riding. 

I've read all (of) the books you lent me. 

I stopped believing in all (of) that years ago. 

All children can be naughty sometimes (Not: All of children...). 

All whisky is expensive (Not: All of whisky...). 

On the other hand, before a personal pronoun only 'all of' is possible; it is used with object pronouns (us, you, them). 

All of them enjoyed the party (Not: All them... or All they...). 

All of you are wrong (Not: All you...). 

They invited all of us (Not: ...all us). 

2. 'All' after nouns and pronouns 

'All' can go after the subject of the sentence. Note that it does not always immediately follow the subject in this case. The exact position is the same as the position of mid-position adverbs: that is to say, (i) before a simple one-word verb; (ii) if there are auxiliary verbs, after the first auxiliary; (iii) after the verb 'be'. 

My friends all like riding. 

They would all have been invited if there had been room (Not: They all would have been invited...). 

We are all tired (Not: We all are tired). 

'All' can also go after a direct or indirect object, but only if this is a personal pronoun (us, you, etc). 

I've eaten them all (Not: I've eaten the cakes all). 

Love you all (Not: Love to the family all). 

I sent them all presents. 

Note that 'all' cannot be used after a subject complement: you can say I've finished it all but not 'This is it all'. 

3. 'All' as subject, object or complement 

'All' can be used as the subject, object or complement of a sentence. In modern English, this is only common when 'all' is followed by a relative clause. Note the two possible meanings of 'all' in this case: 'everything' and 'the only thing(s)'. 

All that I own is yours.     All I want is a room somewhere. 

I'll give you all you want.     This all I've got. 

'All' is not often used to mean 'everybody', except in a very formal style. Instead of 'All who want tickets should go to the office', we would probably say 'All those who want tickets...' or 'All the people who want tickets...' 

In older English, 'all' could be used alone, without a relative clause, to mean 'everything' or 'everybody' (e.g. Tell me all. All is lost. All are dead). This is unusual in modern English, except in dramatic contexts like newspaper headlines (e.g. SPY TELLS ALL), and in the expression 'all about' (e.g. I know all about you. Let's forget all about it). 

4. It is not very common to use 'all' as the subject of a negative verb (e.g. All English people don't like fish and chips). Instead of this, we more often use 'not all' as the subject. 

Not all birds can fly. 

No birds can play chess. 

5. It is sometimes possible to leave out an article after 'all' (e.g. all day, all three brothers). 

All: Introduction

Typical mistakes: 

All of children can be naughty sometimes. 

All you are wrong. We all are tired. 

'All' can be used in several different ways. 

1. It often goes together with a noun or pronoun: different positions are possible. 

a. All (sometimes followed by 'of') can go before a noun or pronoun. 

All (of) my friends like riding. 

All children can be naughty sometimes. 

I hate all of you. 

b.  All can go after a noun or pronoun. 

We all like your cooking. 

The teachers all went on strike. 

Love to you all. 

2. 'All' also can be used as the subject, object or complement of a sentence. 

All I want is a room somewhere. 

I've told you all I know. 

Alike

'Alike' means 'like each other'. It is only used after a verb (in 'predicative' position). Compare the following: 

His two daughters are very (much) alike. 

He's got two very similar-looking daughters (Not: ...alike daughters). 

Some people feel that 'very alike' is incorrect, and that you should say very much alike. However, 'very alike' is quite common in educated usage. 

Ain't

'Ain't' is not used in standard ('correct') English, but it is a very common word in dialects and 'uneducated' forms of British and American English. It is used as a contracted form of 'am not', 'are not', 'is not', 'have not' and 'has not'. 

I ain't going to tell him. 

Don't talk to me like that - you ain't my boss. 

'It's raining.' - 'No it ain't.'

I ain't got any more cigarettes. 

Bob ain't been here for days. 

Agree

1. Typical mistakes: 

I am agree with you. 

We not agree. 

'Agree' is a b verb, not an adjective. 

I agree with you. 

We don't agree. 

2. 'Agree' can be used with an infinitive or a 'that-clause'. 

He agreed to send me a cheque (Not: He agreed sending me...). 

She agreed that I was right. 

3. Several prepositions are possible, depending on the meaning and context. 

a. You agree about a subject of discussion: 

 They never agree about politics. 

b. You agree on a matter for decision: 

 Can we agree on a date for the next meeting? 

c. You agree to a proposal: 

He's agreed to our suggestion about the holiday. 

d. You agree with an opinion, an idea, an analysis, an explanation, etc: 

I completely agree with your views on Jolie. 

e. You agree with a person: 

It's a good idea to agree with the boss most of the time. 

4. A passive structure in possible with plural subject; this is rather formal: 

Are we all agree, gentlemen? 

The committee are agreed that it would be a mistake to speed any more money on the project. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ago

Typical mistakes: 

I met her ago three years. 

I have left school three years ago. 

I have started working for this firm before three years. 

My father died for three years. 

1. 'Ago' is placed after an expression of time, nor before it. 

I met her three years ago. 

a long time ago. 

2. 'Ago' is used with a past tense, not the present perfect. 

I left school three years ago. 

3. Do not confuse the adverbs 'ago' and 'before', 'Ago' is used when the 'point of reference' is the present: it means 'before now'. 'Before' is used when the point of reference is not the present: it means 'before then', 'earlier'. Compare the following: 

I started working for this firm three years ago. 

Last summer, I finally left the firm that I had joined eighteen years ago before. 

4. 'Ago' and 'for' are not the same. 'Ago' tells you how long before the present something happened; 'for' tells you how long an action or situation lasted. Compare the following: 

My father died three years ago (= three years before now). 

He was ill for three years before he died (his illness lasted three years). 

Age

Typical mistakes: 

He has thirty-five. 

He is thirty-five years. 

He's thirty-five old. 

You can give your age either by just giving the number, or by giving the number plus the expression 'years old'. Note the use of 'Be', without preposition. 

He's thirty-five. 

He's thirty-five years old. 

Note that 'What's your age?' is not a very common expression except in a formal style. People usually say 'How old are you?'

After all

Typical mistake: 

We had a nice party with drinks and dancing; the, after all, we went home. 

'After all' does not mean 'finally'. 

... then, finally, we went home (Or: ... when everything was over, we went home). 

'After all' has two meanings: 

1. 'In spite of what was said before' or 'contrary to what was expected'. 

I'm sorry I can't come after all. 

I thought I was going to fail the exam, but I passed after all. 

With this meaning, after all usually comes at the end of a clause. 

2. 'We mustn't forget that...' This is used to introduce an important argument of a good reason, which the person who is listening seems to have forgotten. 

I think we should let Linsay go camping with her boyfriend. 

After all, she's a big girl now. 

It's not surprising you're tired. After all, you were up until three last night!

Used like this, after all usually goes at the beginning of a clause. 

After

1. Typical mistake: 

I'll phone you after I shall arrive (Or: ...after I shall have arrived). 

After cannot be followed by a future tense. Instead, we use a present tense to express a future meaning. 

I'll phone you after I arrive (Or: ...after I have arrived). 

The same is true of before, until, as soon as, when (in some cases), and if (in some cases). More later...

 2. Typical mistake: 

I'm going to do my exams, and after, I'm going to study medicine. 

After is not usually used as an adverb. Instead, we use afterward, or (and) then, or (and) after that. 

I'm going to do my exams, and then I'm going to study medicine. 

3. Typical mistake: 

After the timetable, the train gets in at half past eight. 

We do not use after to explain what somebody said, or what we have read. Instead, we use according to. 

According to the timetable, the train gets in at half past eight. 

Afraid

1. In informal English, we use afraid (of) much more often than fear. 

Don't be afraid. 

Are you afraid of the dark?

     Do you fear the dark? is possible but would probably not be used in conversation. 

2. I'm afraid often means I'm sorry but... It is used to introduce apologetic refusals, bad news, etc. 

I'm afraid I can't help you. 

I'm afraid your wife's had an accident. 

    I'm afraid not and I'm afraid so are often used in answers. 

'Can you lend me a pound?' - 'I'm afraid not.'

'It's going to rain.' - 'Yes, I'm afraid so.' 

3. Afraid is one of the adjectives that cannot normally be used before nouns (in 'attributive' position). Compare the following: 

John's afraid. 

John's a frightened man (Not: ...an afraid man). 

    We do not usually use very before afraid; instead, we can say very much (especially when I'm afraid means 'I'm sorry'). 

I'm very much afraid he's out. 

    *Learn later about other adjectives like this and gerund and infinitive structure with afraid.  

Affect Vs Effect

 Affect is a verb. It means 'cause a change in'. 

The cold weather affected everybody's work. 

Effect is a noun. It means 'result' or 'change'. It is often used in the expression have an effect on, which means 'change' or 'influence'. 

His meeting with John had a great effect on his musical development. 

Note that affect = have an effect on. 

Admission Vs Admittance

Admission is used particularly to express the idea of being allowed into a public building or place. 

Admission 70 pence. 

Admissions Department (in a hospital) 

Admittance (especially in negative expression is most often used to talk about permission to enter private buildings and places. 

No admittance except on business. 

 

Position of adverbs: end-position (details)

Typical mistakes: 

I went at once there. 

I think we should go early to bed. 

Come at four o'clock to my office. 

She went quickly home. 

1. The order of adverbs (and adverb phrases) in end-position depends partly on questions of rhythm and emphasis, so it is difficult to give exact rules. In general, however, we put adverbs of manner 'how' before adverbs of place 'where', and adverbs of time 'when' come last of all. 

I went there | at once. (place before time)

Come to my office | at four o'clock. (place before time) 

I worked hard | yesterday. (manner before time) 

She sang perfectly | in the town hall | last night. (manner before place before time) 

With verbs of movement like come, go arrive, it is often more natural to put an adverb of place (destination) first, before and adverb of manner. 

2. Adverbs of place can refer to direction (like backwards) or position (like in London). Adverbs of direction usually come before adverbs of position. 

I went to school | in York. 

Who's the man walking around | in the garden? 

I think they're moving the piano into another room | upstairs. 

When there are two adverbs of position, the larger place is mentioned last. 

I studied in a drama school | in Madrid. 

Position of adverbs: mid-position (details)

Typical mistakes: 

I go often to the theatre. 

She often is late. 

We always have lived in this house. 

This job will be never finished. 

1. In general, mid-position adverbs go before the verb, but they go after am, are, is, was, were even when these are main verbs. 

I often go to the theatre. 

She suddenly stood up and started singing. 

She is often late. 

I was never happy at home. 

2. When a verb has several parts (e.g. will be finished, have lived, should have been working), the most common position is after the first auxiliary verb. 

We have always lived in this house. 

This will never be finished. 

You should definitely have been working this morning. 

Other positions are possible, particularly when the first part of the verb phrase is a 'modal auxiliary', or used to or have to. 

You often must be bored (or: you must often be bored). 

She could have easily been killed (or: She could easily have been killed). 

We always used to go to the seaside in May (or: we used always to go... or: we used to always go...). 

When an auxiliary verb is used alone instead of a complete verb phrase, the adverb comes before it. 

'Don't trust politicians.' - 'I never have, and I never will.' 

'Are you happy?' - 'I certainly am.'

When adverbs of manner (which say how something is done) go in mid-position, they ae normally put after all auxiliary verbs. 

Don't you think the repair has been properly done? 

When I saw her, she was being well looked after. 

When do you think you will have completely finished? 

3. In emphatic sentences, many adverbs are put before the first auxiliary verb (and before am, are, is, was, were). 

I certainly do like you. 

'You should always be polite.' - 'I always am polite.'

You really will get a surprise one day. 

He said he would never tell them, and he never has told them. 

4. In negative sentences, some adverbs come before not and others after, depending on the meaning. Compare the following: 

I certainly do not agree.     I do not often have headache. 

Both positions are possible with some adverbs, often with a difference of meaning. Compare the following: 

I don't really like her.     I really don't like her. 

When adverbs come before Not, they may also come before the first auxiliary verbs; they always come before Do. 

I probably will not be there (Or: I will probably not be there). 

He probably does not know (Not: He does probably not know). 

Only one position is possible before a contracted negative. 

I probably won't be there. 

5. The determiners All, Both and Each can come in the same position as mid-position adverbs. 

They must have both been caught. 

You ae all being silly. 

Position of Adverbs: General

Typical mistakes: 

Always you make the same mistake. 

Never I will understand this. 

I a couple of days ago ordered some seeds for the garden.  

Mr. Harrison on Tuesday called a meeting of the directions.

I like very much skiing.

She speaks well English. 

Verb and object

It is unusual to put adverbs between the verb and its object. These are not generally separated in an English sentence. 

She speaks English well. 

I very much like skiing (Or: I like skiing very much). 

Normal positions for adverbs

There are three normal positions for adverbs: 

 Mid-position (before the verb, or part of the verb)

He suddenly drove off. 

We have never been searched by the customs.  

End-position (at the end of a clause) 

He drove off suddenly. 

Jam arrived late. 

Initial position (at the beginning of a clause)  

 Suddenly he drove off. 

Yesterday I had a bad headache. 

Not all adverbs can go in all three of these positions. Only certain kinds of adverbs can go in initial position. Most kinds of adverb can go in both mid-position and end-position, but there are some that can only go in one or the other. See the following paragraphs for details. The exact place of mid-position adverbs depends on the verb form, and also on the kind of adverb. When several adverbs come in end-position, the order is not completely free.

Adverbs and adverb phrases 

Most adverbs can go in both mid-position and end-position. 

Do you often come here? 

Do you come here often?

I angrily walked out of the room. 

I walked angrily out of the room. 

I walked out of the room angrily. 

I don't completely agree. 

I don't agree completely. 

However, 'adverb phrases' (groups of words that function as adverbs) cannot usually go in mid-position. Compare the following: 

Mr. Donald then called a meeting of the directors. 

Mr. Donald called a meeting of the directors on Tuesday (Not: Mr. Donald on Tuesday called...). 

I recently ordered some seeds for the garden. 

I ordered some seeds for the garden a couple of days ago.  

There are a few short common adverb phrases (e.g. at once, very often) which can go in mid-position. 

I have very often wondered why people read advertisements.  

Adverbs that cannot go in mid-position

Adverbs of place do not normally go in mid-position. They generally come at the end of the clause; some of them can also come at the beginning. 

She' sitting outside. 

We drove northwards. 

Adverbs of definite time (which say exactly when something happens) do not go in mid-position. They can be put at the beginning or end of a clause. 

I met her yesterday (Not: I yesterday met her). 

Tomorrow we're leaving for Canada (Not: We're tomorrow leaving for Canada). 

 Adverbs of definite frequency (which say exactly how often something happens) do not usually go in mid-position; they are normally put at the end of a clause. 

Milk is delivered daily. 

We have meeting monthly. 

 Adverbs of indefinite time and frequency can go in mid-position. 

I've recently become interested in gardening. 

We often play bridge on Sunday nights. 

Adverbs which are used to evaluate (to say how well something is done) normally go in end-position, not mid-position. 

You've organized that well (Not: You've well organized that). 

She sings badly (Not: She badly sings). 

 But these adverbs can come before past participles in passive structures. 

It's been well designed. 

The wall was very badly built. 

Adverbs of manner (that say how something is done) can go in mid-position. 

He was happily playing with his toys. 

He was playing with his toys happily. 

 But adverbs of manner must go at the end of clauses when they give important information. Compare the following: 

She slowly opened the door and looked inside. 

The light was bad, so he drove slowly (Not: ...he slowly drove).  

Adverbs that cannot go in end-position

Some adverbs cannot usually go in end-position. 'Focusing' adverbs (which direct our attention to one part of the clause) usually go in did-position. 

I only like cowboy film. 

She was simply trying to apologize. 

My mother was particularly impressed by the dancing. 

We must also buy some gas cylinders. 

 (Adverbs like these can focus our attention on the verb, the complement, a direct or indirect object, or another adverb. Sometimes the same sentence can be understood in different ways. 

Louise only ate fish on Fridays. 

We also washed the car. 

 In the first example, the meaning may be that only fish was eaten on Friday, or that fish was eaten only Fridays. In the second example, we can understand either that something else was done (besides washing the car), or that something else was done to the car (besides washing), or that something else was washed (besides the car). Normally sentences like these are understood without difficulty because of the context and (in speech) because of the intonation and stress.)

There are a few 'focusing' adverbs which do not go in mid-position. 'Too', 'either', and 'as well' usually go at the end of a clause. 

Rady wants a bath too. 

I don't like him either. 

We'd better get some butter as well. 

 'Only' and 'even' go in initial position when they refer to the subject. 

Only George could make a mistake like that. 

Even the baby realized what was going on. 

 Some adverbs (like probably, certainly) say how certain something is to happen or to be true. These do not normally go in end-position. 'Probably', 'certainly' and 'definitely' go in mid-position. 

They've probably forgotten the time. 

I definitely saw a flash of lightning. 

'Perhaps' and 'surely' usually go in initial position. 

Perhaps we're going to have a storm. 

Surely you don't think she's beautiful. 

 Adverbs of degree (like nearly, almost, quite, hardly, scarcely) cannot go in end-position. Mid-position is normal. 

I nearly stopped and asked what he wanted. 

You can hardly expect her to smile at you after what you said. 

Adverbs that can go in initial position 

Most adverbs of time can go in initial position. 

 Yesterday I got up late. 

In January it rained all the time. 

Once I wanted to be a doctor. 

These adverbs can also go in end-position - see above. 

Some adverbs of frequency can also go in initial position. 

Occasionally I try to write poems. 

Sometimes we have parties in the garden. 

Note that, however, that 'always' and 'never' cannot go in initial position, except in imperative sentences. 

I will never understand this (Not: Never I will...). 

You always make the same mistake (Not: Always you make...). 

 Some adverbs of place can go in initial position, especially in a descriptive style. E.g. I opened the box. Inside was another box. 

'Here', 'there' and (in literary writing) other 'directional' adverbs can also go in initial position. 

Here comes your bus. 

There goes Mrs. Reagan. 

Down came the rain. 

 Some adverbs of manner can go in initial position. 

Slowly we approached the top. 

Gently she examined the child's leg. 

 'Discourse markers' (adverbs which show our attitude to what we are saying, or which connect it with what came before) often come in initial position. 

Frankly, I think she's lying. 

Actually, you're mistaken.