After much discussion, they had decided to take the coin to the jeweller.
This position is often used in written stories to draw attention to the adverbial. For more information, see paragraph 9.70.
Note that adverbs of degree are rarely used at the beginning of a clause: see paragraph 6.45.
between subject and verb
6.9 Adverbials can also be placed between the subject and the main verb. This focuses on the adverbial more than when it is at the end of the clause, but not as much as putting it at the beginning of the clause. However, this position is much more common with adverbs than with prepositional phrases.
I quickly became aware that she was looking at me.
We often swam in the surf.
He carefully wrapped each component in several layers of foam rubber.
He noisily opened the fridge and took out a carton of milk.
Note that in verb phrases containing auxiliaries, the adverbial is still placed in front of the main verb.
I had almost forgotten about the trip.
We will never have enough money to provide all the services that people want.
It would not in any case be for him.
Long adverbials in this position are usually separated by commas from the rest of the clause.
Fred, in his own way, was a great actor.
Adverbials of place rarely occur in this position. For more information about adverbials of place, see the section beginning at paragraph 6.53.
6.10 Some adverbials are often placed in front of the main verb:
most adverbs of indefinite frequency (see paragraph 4.114)
always
constantly
continually
continuously
ever
frequently
hardly ever
never
normally
occasionally
often
rarely
regularly
repeatedly
seldom
sometimes
usually
some adverbs of indefinite time (see paragraph 4.41)
again
already
earlier
finally
first
just
last
previously
recently
since
some adverbs of degree (see paragraph 6.45), especially emphasizing adverbs (see paragraph 6.49)
absolutely
almost
altogether
badly
completely
deeply
entirely
fairly
greatly
largely
nearly
perfectly
quite
rather
really
somewhat
totally
utterly
virtually
well
focusing adverbs, when modifying a verb (see paragraph 9.67)
even
just
merely
only
really
simply
Note that some adverbs have a different reference when they are placed in front of the main verb rather than at the end of the clause:
The Trade Unions have acted foolishly.
Baldwin had foolishly opened the door.
The first example means that the Unions acted in a foolish way. The second example means that opening the door was a foolish action, and not that the door was opened in a foolish way.
Americans always tip generously.
He generously offered to drive me home.
The first example tells us how well Americans tip, the second example indicates that his offer was a generous action.
6.11 If the verb is a to-infinitive, you usually put an adverb after it, or after the object if there is one.
He tried to leave quietly.
Thomas made an appointment to see him immediately.
Some people, however, particularly when they are speaking, do put adverbs between the to and the infinitive. This use is considered to be incorrect by some speakers of English.
My wife told me to probably expect you, he said.
Vauxhall are attempting to really break into the market.
Sometimes, however, if you avoid putting the adverb between the to and the infinitive, you change the emphasis of the sentence, or it can sound clumsy. In such cases, splitting the infinitive, as it is called, is now generally considered acceptable.
Participants will be encouraged to actively participate in the workshop.
I want you to really enjoy yourself.
Note that the second example above means I want you to enjoy yourself very much. If you said I really want you to enjoy yourself, you would mean It is very important for me that you enjoy yourself.
minor points about position
6.12 If a clause has two adverbials, and one is an adverb and the other is a prepositional phrase, you can usually place either of them first.
Miss Burns looked calmly at Marianne.
They were sitting happily in the car.
The women shouted at me savagely.
He got into the car quickly and drove off.
However, if the prepositional phrase is rather long, it is more common to place the adverb first, immediately after the verb.
He listened calmly to the report of his aides.
She would sit cross-legged in her red robes.
Similarly, if the verb phrase is followed by a long object, the adverb comes after the verb and before the object.
She sang beautifully a school song the children had taught her when they were little.
manner, place, then time
6.13 In clauses with more than one adverbial, the meaning of the adverbials can also affect their order. The usual order is adverbial of manner, then adverbial of place, then time adverbial.
They knelt quietly in the shadow of the rock.
I tried to reach you at home several times.
He was imprisoned in Cairo in January 1945.
Parents may complain that their child eats badly at meals.
The youngsters repeat this in unison at the beginning of each session.
However, if a clause contains an adverb of manner and an adverb of direction such as down, out, or home, the adverb of direction is usually put in front of the adverb of manner.
Lomax drove home fast.
I reached down slowly.
adverbials of the same type
6.14 Adverbials of different types can be placed together, sometimes separated by a comma, but adverbials of the same type, for example two adverbials of manner, are usually linked by conjunctions such as and and but, or structures such as rather than. For more information about how to link adverbials using conjunctions, see paragraph 8.188.