My friends, your boring teacher is back whether you like it or not. Correcting your mistakes on Tanya’s last test I noticed you not know what to do with an adverb if it modifies the infinitive. I don’t remember telling you about that. So, let me correct my mistake.
Some of you may think that the position of an adverb in a sentence is unimportant and you will be understood anyway. So, let me try to dissuade you. We understand what you say. Let’s consider the example:
- I have just returned to EC to teach you again.
- I have returned to EC just to teach you again.
Both sentences are correct and make sense, but the sense is different. The first sentence means that I returned to EC a few days ago after the long absence still having a desire to teach you. The second sentence means that the only one reason for my returning was my desire to teach you. I believe the difference is quite clear. So, here is an easy rule for you to remember. If an adverb modifies the infinitive, there may be two cases:
- An adverb is one of the adverbs of frequency like just, never, always, often, etc. In this case we place an adverb before the infinitive:
He promised never to do it again.
He seemed just to return.
I'd like to add that in modern English, especially in the spoken language people often split the infinitive like
He promised to never do it.
However, I don't recommend you to do it especially in official writing.
2. All other adverbs are positioned behind the infinitive:
I like to drive fast.
He wanted to sleep peacefully.
I hope, everything is clear now and you will be able to correct No9 on Tanya’s test. Sure, you may ask me your questions as usual. I would also like you to write a few sentences using adverbs correctly.
Comments
Thanks a lot, dear Tanya, it helps a lot! But seems, I have to memorize them!
Dear Bet, let me answer this question for Dan.
There are a few types of adverbs:
Adverbs of time: now, soon, earlier, before,....
Adverbs of place: here, there, below, above, .....
Adverbs of manner: slowly, fast, badly, wel,.....
Adverbs of degree: almost, nearly, quite, really,.....
Adverbs of focus: just, particulary, only,....
Adverbs of frequency: often, usually, sometimes, rarely,....
and some other types.
Answering your question, FREQUENCY in a noun defining the rate at which something occurs over a particular period of time. So, adverbs of frequency tell us how often some action happens.
An adverb is one of the adverbs of frequency like just, never, always, often, etc. In this case we place an adverb before the infinitive:
What is frequency , I mean what did you mean by frequency?
Dear Adaline, your sentences are almost correct. But "trouble tenant" is wrong. I would say "toublesome tenant". Besides, there must be an article before "church". I would say "the church".
Thanks for participating!
Dear Danny, Thank you for the lovely lesson. I try to write few sentences. Please correct it for me!
I appreciate it.
The trouble tenant agreed to leave the house quickly
The children were eager to learn about Tom’s holidays
Alex arrived in Oxford to study Masters in Theology
Are you old enough to buy alcohol?
Pat finally went to church
Thank you!
Dear Baho, it is correct
it's one of grammatical topics that i've always been confused. thanks for sharing teacher Danny.
i have one question, is it correct " He slowly entered the room".
My two cents:
They (never, always, often) are called 'adverbs of frequency', while 'just' is an adverb of degree or focus.
We're talking about 'position of adverbs' or 'adverb position'. Adverbs can go in initial (front) position, mid-position or end-position. Some adverbs, however, cannot go in initial position or mid-position or end-position (a little complicated here).
By the way, 'split infinitive' is possible, even though some people may think it incorrect. Do you think 'to never do it' sounds as natural as 'never to do it'?
I'm not really a grammar teacher, either, but I still hope our members will benefit from what we just discussed:))
Dear Expector, you know that I am not a grammar teacher. I mean there are some adverbs we can use only between two parts of a compound predicate or before a verb in the simple tenses. I will be thankful if you tell me how to express my mind
Another helpful blog!
I have a question, though: What do you mean by 'used only inside a predicate'? I know what 'a predicate' is, but the whole sentence is beyond me:)