INAPPROPRIATE ADVERBS ORDER

Inappropriate Adverb Order

Modifiers can sometimes attach themselves to and thus modify words that they ought not to modify.

They reported that Giuseppe Balle, a European rock star, had died on the six o'clock news.

Clearly, it would be better to move the underlined modifier to a position immediately after "they reported" or even to the beginning of the sentence — so the poor man doesn't die on television.

Misplacement can also occur with very simple modifiers, such as only and barely:

She only grew to be four feet tall.​

It would be better if "She grew to be only four feet tall."

Using Adverbs in a Numbered List

Within the normal flow of text, it's nearly always a bad idea to number items beyond three or four, at the most. Anything beyond that, you're better off with a vertical list that uses numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.). Also, in such a list, don't use adverbs (with an -ly ending); use instead the uninflected ordinal number (first, second, third, fourth, fifth, etc.). First (not firstly), it's unclear what the adverb is modifying. Second (not secondly), it's unnecessary. Third (not thirdly), after you get beyond "secondly," it starts to sound silly.

ORDER OF ADVERBS

There is a basic order in which adverbs will appear when there is more than one. It is similar to The Royal Order of Adjectives, but it is even more flexible.

There is a basic order in which adverbs will appear when there is more than one. It is similar to The Royal Order of Adjectives, but it is even more flexible.
ORDER OF ADVERBS

More Notes on Adverb Order

As a general principle, shorter adverbial phrases precede longer adverbial phrases, regardless of content. In the following sentence, an adverb of time precedes an adverb of frequency because it is shorter (and simpler):

Dad takes a brisk walk before breakfast every day of his life.

A second principle: among similar adverbial phrases of kind (manner, place, frequency, etc.), the more specific adverbial phrase comes first:

My grandmother was born in a sod house on the plains of northern Nebraska.​

She promised to meet him for lunch next Tuesday.

Bringing an adverbial modifier to the beginning of the sentence can place special emphasis on that modifier. This is particularly useful with adverbs of manner:

Slowly, ever so carefully, Jesse filled the coffee cup up to the brim, even above the brim.

Occasionally, but only occasionally, one of these lemons will get by the inspectors.

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RELATIVE ADVERBS

Relative Adverbs

Read the sentence given below.

Do you know the place where the meeting will be held?

In the sentence given above, where is an adverb as it modifies the verb will be held. It is also a relative as it connects the two clauses of the sentence and at the same time refers back to its antecedent place. Where is therefore called a relative adverb. A relative adverb connects an adjective clause to the main clause.

That was the reason why I decided to resign.

Here why is an adverb as it modifies the verb decided to resign. It is also a relative as it connects the two clauses of the sentence and at the same time refers back to its antecedent reason. Why is therefore called a relative adverb because it connects the adjective clause ‘why I decided to resign’ to the main clause ‘that was the reason’.

WHAT IS THE USE OF RELATIVE ADVERBS?

 The relative adverbs are used similarly to relative pronouns. In addition, you can use in place of relative pronouns that are accompanied by preposition.

That's the day in Which We first met.

That's the day we first met when to.

Notes:

The relative adverb when can be replaced by in which/on which; where can be replaced by in which/at which; why can be replaced by for which.

I don’t know the place where he lives. (= I don’t know the place at which he lives.)

I don’t know the reason why she hates me. (= I don’t know the reason for which she hates me.)
I still remember the day when he returned home. (= I still remember the day on which he returned home.)

Relative Adverb Clauses
"Relative adverb clauses are subject and predicate (finite verb) structures carrying out the grammatical functions attributed to an adverb modifier. They are introduced by the relative adverbs when, where, and why, expressing such meanings as time, place, and reason. They differ from relative adjective clauses only with regard to the grammatical functions that the pronouns carry out within their own clauses. Similarly, these relatives carry out the grammatical function of connector. As sentence constituents they both modify or refer back to an antecedent in the independent clause, which is a noun or its replacement."
(Bernard O'Dwyer, Modern English Structures: Form, Function, And Position, 2nd ed. Broadview Press, 2006)

"The relative adverb where begins a clause that modifies a noun of place. For example, 'My family now lives in the town where my grandfather used to be sheriff.' The relative pronounwhere modifies the verb used to be, but the entire clause modifies the noun town.

"A when clause modifies nouns of time. For example, 'My favorite day of the week is Friday, when the weekend is about to begin.'

"A why clause modifies the noun reason. For example, 'Do you know the reason why school is out today?' Sometimes the relative adverb is left out of these clauses, and the writer substitutes that instead. For example, 'Do you know the reason that school is out today?'"

INTERROGATIVE ADVERBS

Interrogative Adverbs answer the questions How? When? Where? and Why?, but these words themselves are adverbs. They may be used as interrogative adverbs at the beginning of direct questions. 

How was the movie?
When does the play begin?
Where is the new mall being built?
Why don't you like her?

• Notice that an inverted word order is used in these questions. That is, the subject follows the simple past or simple present of the verb to be or the first auxiliary verb used with that form. If a different verb is used, there comes after the first auxiliary verb, which must be a form of to do. 

Why did he run away?
When does Aunt Tilly leave for home?
How is the pie?
Where was your wallet?

• Note that the verbs run and leave, the subjects (he, Aunt Tilly) come AFTER the auxiliary verbs (did, does). The subjects pie and wallet follow a form of the verb to be (is, was). 

Write these indirect questions as direct questions.
EXAMPLES:
Explain how the game is played. becomes: How is the game played?
I need to know where the car keys are. becomes Where are the car keys?

Notice that how can be used in four different ways:

1. meaning 'in what way?':

• How did you make this sauce?
• How do you start the car?

2. with adjectives:

• How tall are you?
• How old is your house?

3. with much and many:

• How much are these tomatoes?
• How many people are coming to the party?

4. with other adverbs:

• How quickly can you read this?
• How often do you go to London?

Interrogative Adverbs of Time

Examples are: when, how long, how early, how soon etc.

When will you finish this job?
How long will you stay here?
How often do you visit them?
How soon can you begin work?

Interrogative adverbs of Place

Where do you live?
Where has she come from?
Where can I find him?

Interrogative adverbs of number

Examples are: how many, how often, how much

How many students are there in the class?
How often does the committee meet?

Interrogative adverb of manner

Examples are: how

How did you arrive at the conclusion?
How are you doing?
How was the experience?
How did you do it?

Interrogative adverbs of degree or quantity

Examples are: how much, how far, how high etc.

How much did you pay?
How far can you go?
How much more do you want?

Interrogative adverbs of reason

Example: why

Why are you crying?
Why did you quit?
Why do you hate her?
Why do you want to go there?

AFFIRMATIVE ADVERBS

• Affirmative Adverb (yes)- examples of this adverb includes: yes, surely, certainly, indeed.

Example: I hope my parent just for once will say yes to my latest idea.

Example: You must have heard about the haunted house surely?

Example: Certainly we'll try to rid this place of the foul odour.

Example: It would indeed help if I had a bodyguard.

Adverbs of affirmation are those adverbs that are used to indicate that a statement is true or that in some other way to affirm it. They can be used within sentences, often as a way of adding emphasis, but they are often used alone as the answer to a question.

Perhaps the most common adverb of affirmation, one familiar to all beginning Spanish speakers, is sí. It is the simple affirmative answer to a question, usually translated as "yes":¿Te gustan las fresas? —Sí. "Do you like the strawberries?" "Yes."

Unlike the English word "yes," however, sí is commonly used even when a question hasn't been asked or implied:

• Of course!
•  He didn't believe it, but I did.
• I believe (or think) so.
• Now you're really going to know what is good.
• I really like chocolate.

Here are some of the other common adverbs (or adverbial phrases) of affirmation:

Ciertamente is the equivalent of "certainly."Ciertamente Carlos es un bailarín glorioso. Carlos is certainly a magnificent dancer.

Claro is often translated as "clearly." Claro, no tiene experiencia política. Clearly, she doesn't have political experience.

Obviamente is often translated as "obviously." El primer consejo, obviamente, debe ser escuchar. The first piece of advice, obviously, ought to be to listen.

Por supuesto is often translated as "of course." Por supuesto nuestro cliente participa activamente. Of course, our client actively participates.

También typically means "also." También habla francés. He also speaks French.