LanguageTool Community

<< return to list of rules

Rule "Word order: Wrong position of adverb, e.g. 'Always I am happy. (I am always happy.)'"

This is one of many errors that LanguageTool can detect.

Description: Word order: Wrong position of adverb, e.g. 'Always I am happy. (I am always happy.)'
Message: The adverb '\2' usually goes after the verb '\3'.
Category: Style (ID: STYLE)
Link: https://staff.washington.edu/marynell/grammar/AdverbPl.html
Incorrect sentences
that this rule can detect:
  • I sometimes am happy.
    Correction suggestion: am sometimes
  • Appearances often are deceiving.
    Correction suggestion: are often
  • George rarely was visited by his family.
    Correction suggestion: was rarely
  • The radius of curvature usually is taken as positive.
    Correction suggestion: is usually
  • My rule always was to do the business of the day in the day.
    Correction suggestion: was always
  • This substance, the "alabaster" of the Ancient Egyptians and Bible, often is termed Oriental alabaster, since the early examples came from the Far East.
    Correction suggestion: is often
Correct sentences
for comparison:
  • I am sometimes happy.
  • Although they can sometimes be found.
  • How often are feeling lonely?
  • They always are.
  • I'd never be able to afford to buy a house on Park Street.
  • Never be afraid of monsters!
  • Only rarely is the reader drawn directly into the ...
  • Tom's advice often isn't very good.
  • He'd never been responsible for this mess.
  • Although I'd often been responsible for our office parties, I decided not to arrange one this year.
  • Since she'd not often been to Paris, she didn't know it very well.
  • Hardly was the door shut when Mrs. Challenger darted out from the dining-room.
  • Never were finer women or more accomplished men seen in any Court.
  • Never been but heard it's beautiful.
  • Never being discouraged is the secret to my success.
  • Always being honest is no easy thing.
  • Sometimes being overcautious in planning could upset the apple cart.
  • Haru's always been like that; he's very kind at heart.
  • Dear children, always be honest!
  • Compaq's just always been there, providing software and actual computers to help the nonprofit arts organizations.
  • Undoubtedly, always being there to help was a contributory factor to her exhaustion.
  • My situation's rarely been very comfortable.
  • Nevertheless, sometimes being a failure cannot be avoided.
  • Instead of the meetings always being held in London, they would rotate across the membership.
  • What a kind and thoughtful man you always are, Vince.
  • "I always am, aren't I?"
ID: ADVERB_WORD_ORDER [3]
Version: 6.6-SNAPSHOT (2024-11-21 22:33:10 +0100)