TRICKS OF ADVERB

Adverbs Word Order

Adverbs are usually placed after the verb:

Ex: He speaks clearly.

When there is an object, the adverb is usually placed after the verb + object:

Ex: I put the vase carefully on the table.

However, adverbs are never positioned between the verb and the object.

I read the book quickly. - (Correct)
I read quickly the book. - (Incorrect)
Sometimes adverbs are placed at the beginning of a clause.

Ex: Quickly, I changed my opinion.

Rules

Rule 1

Else is followed  by but  and than follows rather, other and otherwise

Ex:

Ram has no other alternative but to work hard. (incorrect)
Ram has no other alternative than to work hard. (correct)
It is nothing else than sheer foolishness. (incorrect)
It is nothing else but sheer foolishness. (correct)

Rule 2

Adverbs, seldom, never, nowhere, nothing, hardly, scarcely, neither, barely, rarely are negative in meaning.

Ex:

I hardly know somebody in the society.(incorrect)
I hardly know anybody in the society.(correct)
She hardly knows nothing about me. (incorrect)
She hardly knows anything about me. (correct)

Rule 3

Negative words like not/ never is not used with deny, forbid, both, unless, until, lest, hardly, scarcely, rarely, seldom.

Ex:

Both of us are not going there. (incorrect)
Neither of us is going there. (correct)

Rule 4

Adverb as can be used with – Regard, describe, define, treat, view, know.

Adverb as cannot  be used with – Name, elect, think, consider, call, appoint, make, choise.

Ex:

I regard him my brother. (incorrect)
I regard him as my brother. (correct)
The principal appointed him as lecturer. (incorrect)
The principal appointed him lecturer. (correct)

Rule 5

Too, as well is used as besides, in addition to or also in affirmative sense.

Also should not  be used at the end.

Ex: she found her bag and money too/ as well.

Rule 6

Seldom or Never, seldom, if ever, little or nothing, little, if anything are correct but it is wrong to say “seldom or ever” or “little or anything”.

Ex: She seldom or never goes to see movies.

Rule 7

Verbs of sensation (Taste, smell, feel, appear, seem, sound, and look), should take adjective and not adverb after them.

Ex: I felt bad.

Note: be, become, turn, get, grow, keep, make and prove are also certain verbs that take adjective and not adverb after them.

Ex: She got angry.(adjective)

Rule 8

Manly, masterly slovenly, friendly, orderly, gentlemanly, sickly, weekly, monthly are adjectives. They must not be mistaken as adverbs just because they end in ly.

Ex: He behaved friendly. (incorrect)

He behaved in a friendly manner. (correct)

Rule 9

Adverbs are also used to give extra information about adjectives (or other adverbs).

Ex:

I am extremely happy in my new job.
She's in hospital with a seriously injured neck.
It's incredibly easy to make a mistake when knitting.
The girl climbed dangerously high up the tree.
Because of the thick fog I drove extremely carefully.

Rule 10

After certain verbs (e.g. be, become, seem, look, taste, smell, etc.) the adjective, not the adverb, is used.

Ex:

She doesn't seem happy today.
Don't be stupid!
This meat tastes bad.
Those flowers smell strange.