English Language Discussion Forums

#1 17-Oct-2003, 16:21

1.Is this correct?
Are Mr. and Mrs. Harvey at home usually in the evening?
What is the rule for word order of frequency adverbs when asking a question with the verb "to be"?
2.Which of these is correct?
We have never been to the Museum of Modern Art.
We never have been to the Museum of Modern Art.
3. Is this correct?
They have always tried to follow his instructions carefully.
4.What are the rules for using expressions of time like: by vs. in, by vs. until, by vs. for, until vs. for, until vs. in, for vs. in. How does one know what to use when?
5.What are some rules for using expressions of place (in, at, on, to, by, of)

**RonBee** · #2 17-Oct-2003, 16:51

Quote:

1.Is this correct?
Are Mr. and Mrs. Harvey at home usually in the evening?

More usual would be:

Are Mr. and Mrs. Harvey usually at home in the evening?

Or:

Are Mr. and Mrs. Harvey usually at home evenings?

Quote:

What is the rule for word order of frequency adverbs when asking a question with the verb "to be"?

I'll leave that one for JWSChang, Caseopia or Tdol. :wink:

Quote:

2.Which of these is correct?
We have never been to the Museum of Modern Art.
We never have been to the Museum of Modern Art.

Both of them are correct. :wink:

Quote:

3. Is this correct?
They have always tried to follow his instructions carefully.

That is perfectly fine. :D

Quote:

4.What are the rules for using expressions of time like: by vs. in, by vs. until, by vs. for, until vs. for, until vs. in, for vs. in. How does one know what to use when?
5.What are some rules for using expressions of place (in, at, on, to, by, of)

There may already have been discussions here on those issues previously. I'll see what I can find.

:)

**RonBee** · #3 18-Oct-2003, 08:10

Quote:

What is the rule for word order of frequency adverbs when asking a question with the verb "to be"?

In that case the adverb is usually after the verb and either near or at the end of the sentence. Example:

He is always late.

frequency adverbs
http://www.english-zone.com/verbs/freq-adv01.html
http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/gramm...adverbs01.html
http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/CET/f...bs_game01.html
http://www.onestopenglish.com/Profes..._frequency.htm
http://cuhwww.upr.clu.edu/~ideas11/activity_three.HTM

:)

#4 18-Oct-2003, 08:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonBee

Quote:

What is the rule for word order of frequency adverbs when asking a question with the verb "to be"?

In that case the adverb is usually after the verb and either near or at the end of the sentence. Example:

He is always late.

frequency adverbs
:)

I'm not too sure about adverbs of frequency. Must look at the sites you gave.

For adverbs, the order is:

Place-Manner-Time. Frequency could come before the verb.

He went home (or there) quickly at three o'clock.
He often goes home quickly before dark.

Some say it's Manner-Place-Time???

**RonBee** · #5 18-Oct-2003, 12:24

expressions of time
http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishwo...mmar/time.html
http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishwo.../main/prep.htm

Most of the time, expressions of time will come before the verb and expressions of location will come after, but there are enough exceptions to this to keep us from saying it is a rule.
http://www.say-it-in-english.com/Lesson8.html

Casiopea · #6 18-Oct-2003, 12:47

Hello!

Both 1a. and 1b. are okay, but 1b. is more acceptable.

1a. Are Mr. and Mrs. Harvey at home usually in the evening?
1b. Are Mr. and Mrs. Harvey usually at home in the evening?
1c. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey are usually at home in the evening.

Place frequency adverbs after the verb to be and before other verbs. For example,

I usually walk the dog after dinner. (before 'walk')
I am usually home by 7:00. (after 'am')

When asking a question with 'to be' forms, move the verb to the front of the sentence and leave the frequency adverb alone. For example,

He is always watching TV.
Is he always watching TV?

--------
Both 2a. and 2b. are correct, but 2a. is more acceptable.

2a. We have never been to the Museum of Modern Art.
2b. We never have been to the Museum of Modern Art.
2c. Have we ever been to the Museum of Modern Art?

Note, 'never' is replaced by 'ever' in questions.

When dealing with forms of 'have -en' or 'have -ed', place the adverb after 'have'. For example,

3a. They have always tried to follow his instructions carefully.
3b. Have they always tried to follow his instructions carefully?

Cas :)