Common Adverb Errors: Adverb Placement

Adverbs can modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. However, their placement in a sentence can significantly affect the meaning. Here are some common mistakes:

Placing Adverbs Between the Verb and Object

• Incorrect: He quickly ate his dinner.
• Correct: He ate his dinner quickly.

Placing Adverbs Before the Verb When Modifying an Adjective

• Incorrect: Very he is smart.
• Correct: He is very smart.

Placing Adverbs at the Beginning of a Sentence When Modifying a Verb

• Incorrect: Carefully, he drove the car.
• Correct: He drove the car carefully.

Practice Exercises:

1. He (quickly) ate his dinner.
2. She is (very) smart.
3. (Carefully) he drove the car.
4. He speaks (fluently) English.
5. I (really) like this book.

Answers:

1. He ate his dinner quickly.
2. He is very smart.
3. He drove the car carefully.
4. He speaks English fluently.
5. I really like this book.

Adverb Placement Practice

Identify the correct placement of the adverb in each sentence.

1. He (quickly) ate his dinner.
2. She is (very) smart.
3. (Carefully) he drove the car.
4. He speaks (fluently) English.
5. I (really) like this book.
6. He (often) goes to the park.
7. She (happily) danced.
8. He (always) tells the truth.
9. I (completely) understand.
10. He (never) lies.

Answers:

1. He ate his dinner quickly.
2. He is very smart.
3. He drove the car carefully.
4. He speaks English fluently.
5. I really like this book.
6. He often goes to the park.
7. She danced happily.
8. He always tells the truth.
9. I completely understand.
10. He never lies.