[Grammar] position of adverb

[Sarahliu]

English grammar says that when an adverb modifies a verb, it should be behind the verb. So is the following sentence right? Thanks.
He only speaks English.

[heidita]

That's correct...and welcome to Madrid:)

[David L.]

In fact, the adverb can be in different places in a sentence - it doesn't always have to come straight after a verb.

1. He only speaks English.
This is what you will most often hear colloquially, and the person hearing this will understand that English is the only language spoken by the man referred to.
2. Strictly grammatically, the sentence could mean, he speaks English, but perhaps is unable to read or write it - he only speaks it.

To achieve the meaning in (1), the sentence would correctly be:
"He speaks only English."**

**Strictly speaking, even this is not grammatically correct in some grammarians books, where it should be:
"He speaks English only."
I think it can sound stilted and therefore ostentatiously showing off that 'I know my grammar'.

[philo2009]

Originally Posted by Sarahliu

English grammar says that when an adverb modifies a verb, it should be behind the verb.

I have no idea from where you might have got that idea, but English grammar actually says nothing of the sort, as some of the the simplest English sentences imaginable, e.g.

He runs quickly.

(adverb 'quickly' modifying verb 'runs'), clearly demonstrate!

[David L.]

English grammar says that when an adverb modifies a verb, it should be behind the verb.
Philo:
In your sentence, "He runs quickly", the adverb IS behind the verb.

[Sarahliu]

Originally Posted by philo2009

I have no idea from where you might have got that idea, but English grammar actually says nothing of the sort, as some of the the simplest English sentences imaginable, e.g.

He runs quickly.

(adverb 'quickly' modifying verb 'runs'), clearly demonstrate!

In this case, can we say HE QUICKLY RUNS? since the adverb can be in different places as pointed out by David. What's the rule for adverb's position.

[philo2009]

Originally Posted by Sarahliu

In this case, can we say HE QUICKLY RUNS? since the adverb can be in different places as pointed out by David. What's the rule for adverb's position.

Firstly, my apologies for misreading 'behind' as 'before' in your original question (just FYI, 'behind' has no meaning in this context: 'after' and 'before' are the only English prepositions appropriate for specifying the relative positions of words in a text.)

As for your question, yes, many adverbs can go in either position.

He works quickly.

and

He quickly worked out the answer.

are both correct.

[David L.]

See here:

Learning English | BBC World Service

[Sarahliu]

Originally Posted by David L.

See here:

Learning English | BBC World Service

Thanks to all.

[heidita]

Originally Posted by David L.

In fact, the adverb can be in different places in a sentence - it doesn't always have to come straight after a verb.

1. He only speaks English.
This is what you will most often hear colloquially, and the person hearing this will understand that English is the only language spoken by the man referred to.
2. Strictly grammatically, the sentence could mean, he speaks English, but perhaps is unable to read or write it - he only speaks it.

To achieve the meaning in (1), the sentence would correctly be:
"He speaks only English."**

**Strictly speaking, even this is not grammatically correct in some grammarians books, where it should be:
"He speaks English only."
I think it can sound stilted and therefore ostentatiously showing off that 'I know my grammar'.

Now that we are at it David, you might have mentioned that it can also be moved to the beginning of a sentence.

Only he speaks English.