English Grammar for SSC Exam

Correct Use of Adverbs

Rule
POSITION OF ADVERBS
The position of adverbs is often determined by shades of meaning. For which rules cannot be given, but some generations can be made.
Adverbs of frequency:
•    Always, often, rarely, never, ever, generally, usually, sometimes, occasionally, etc.
If the verb is in the simple tense form, the adverb is usually placed between the subject and the verb, preferably before the verb it modifies.
•    He always goes to college on foot.
•    He often visits the U.S.
•    His brother never takes alcohol.
When the verb is some form of ‘to be’ (is, am, was, are) the adverb follows the verb:
•    They are always late.
•    He is never punctual.
•    If you are ever in trouble, please meet me.
If the verb is a compound one, the adverb is usually placed after the auxiliary.
•    I shall never forget his help.
•    He will always behave properly.
In negative sentences the adverb of frequency follows not.
•    They are not often late.

In interrogative sentences the adverb of frequency follows the subject immediately:
•    Does he often go fishing?
•    Has he ever travelled by air? 
At times ‘often’ may be placed at the end to emphasise it.
This us mainly confined to negative statements and questions.
•    He does not see his friend often, as he lives in a remote village,
‘Never’ is sometimes placed at the beginning to emphasise it, Then the verb and subject are inverted as in a question.
•    I never saw such an accident.
•    Never did I see such an accident.
•    (S – V becomes V – S here)  
Rule
USE OF HARD, HARDLY, SCARE, SCARCELY
(a)Hard as an adverb means ‘diligently’. It usually follows the verb.
•    He works hard to make both ends meet.
(b)Hardly when used as an adverb means scarcely, barely
•    It conveys a negative meaning.
•    Hardly (scarcely) had he reached the station, when the train left.
Note: Hardly and scarcely are followed by when not than.
•    No sooner is followed by than not when or then. (This is very important)
(c)Scarce as an adjective means ‘not plentiful’, hard to find, not often found.
•    Coal has become scarce in England.
•    Scarcely as an adverb is almost synonymous with ‘hardly’
•    I can scarcely hear you.
•    They have scarcely enough money to look after their children.
Rule :
SPLIT INFINITIVE
The infinitive is to + the simple form of the verb (v).
Do not put an adverb between to and verb.
(a)He refused to do the work quickly.
                     to + v                Adv
(b)They have decided to repeat the experiments carefully.
                                      to + v                               adv. 
Wrong:He wanted to carefully read the directions.
Right: He wanted to read the directions carefully.

Rule :
DANGLING MODIFIER
The subject of the main clause must be the same as the understood subject of the introductory phrase. In other words, the introductory phrase modifies the subject of the main clause.
Examples:
(a)Looking at his watch, Mr, Vijaykumar got up and left.
Introductory Ph. Subject
•    Who looked at his watch?     Mr. Vijay kumar
•    Who got up and left?         Mr. Vijay kumar
(b)Travelling to Bombay, Nalini injured her leg.
Introductory Ph. Subject
Note: Both these sentences are right. In both these sentences, the subject of the introductory phrase and the  subject of the main clause are same.
Wrong: When only a baby, my mother took me to the circus.
Right :  When only a child, I was taken to the circus by my mother.