Word Order

The word order is very rigid in English. The most important rule is Subject - Predicate - Object. We usually use this word order to form an English sentence.

Nick bought a pair of skis. He met his best friend.

In questions an auxiliary verb is put at the beginning of the question.

Did Nick buy a pair of skis? Could he meet his best friend?

 

Adverbs of frequency

Adverbs of frequency (often, sometimes, always, usually, ...) are usually put between the subject and the predicate, but they can also go in front position (except always, ever and never) or in end position.

Nick usually buys a pair of skis every year. He often meets his best friend. We don't visit them very often. Sometimes they go to the movies on Sundays.

NOTE: A verb sometimes consists of two or more words. Then the adverb of frequency has to be put between them.

I can never remember his name. Ann doesn't usually get up early. Your car has probably been stolen.

NOTE: Adverbs of frequency go before have to.

Example: We always have to wait a long time for the bus.

NOTE: Adverbs of frequency go after am, is, are, was or were. But in questions the adverb is put after the subject.

Example: You are never on time. Are they always on holidays in July?

 

Adverbs of manner, place and time

Adverbs of manner come before adverbs of place. Adverbs of places come before adverbs of time. We usually write these adverbs at the end of the sentence.

Nick bought a new pair of skis in Innsbruck yesterday. He practiced hard on the ski slope last week.

Adverbs can also be put at the front of the sentence when this information is important.

Last weekend he took some lessons on a ski slope. After dinner he met his friends.

If there are two adverbs of time, the more precise one comes first.

He is going to have a skiing lesson at 10 a.m. on Monday.

 

 

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EXERCISES

Word order with the adverbs of frequency - Exercise 1

Word order with the adverbs of frequency - Exercise 2

Word order with the adverbs of frequency - Exercise 3

Word order in the present simple and past simple - Exercise

Word order in the present, past and future - Exercise

Word order in the present and past simple - Exercise - short sentences

Word order - forming questions in the present simple - Exercise

Word order - Exercise 8 - intermediate exercise

Word order - Exercise 9 - intermediate exercise

Word order - Exercise 10 - intermediate exercise