110 : Word order 2: adverbs with the verb

   A   

Some adverbs (for example, always, also, probably) go with the verb in the middle of a sentence:

• Helen always drives to work.
• We were feeling very tired and we were also hungry.
• The concert will probably be cancelled.

 

 

   B   

If the verb is one word (drives/fell/cooked etc.), the adverb goes before the verb:

	adverb	verb
Helen	always	drives	to work.
I	almost	fell	as I was going down the stairs.

• I cleaned the house and also cooked the dinner. (not cooked also)
• Lucy hardly ever watches television and rarely reads newspapers.
• 'Shall I give you my address?'  'No, I already have it.'

 

Note that these adverbs (always/often/also etc.) go before have to ... :

• Joe never phones me. I always have to phone him. (not I have always to phone)

 

But adverbs go after am/is/are/was/were:

• We were feeling very tired and we were also hungry.
• Why are you always late? You're never on time.
• The traffic isn't usually as bad as it was this morning.

 

 

   C   

If the verb is two or more words (for example, can remember / doesn't eat / will be cancelled), the adverb usually goes after the first verb (can/doesn't/will etc.):

	verb 1	adverb	verb 2
I	can	never	remember	her name.
Clare	doesn't	often	eat	meat.
	Are you	definitely	going	away next week?
The concert	will	probably	be	cancelled.

• You've always been very kind to me.
• Jack can't cook. He can't even boil an egg.
• Do you still work for the same company?
• The house was only built a year ago and it's already falling down.

 

Note that probably goes before a negative (isn't/won't etc.). So we say:

• I probably won't see you.  or  I will probably not see you. (not I won't probably)

 

 

   D   

We also use all and both in these positions:

• We all felt ill after the meal. (not we felt all ill)
• My parents are both teachers. (not my parents both are teachers)
• Sarah and Jane have both applied for the job.
• We are all going out tonight.

 

 

   E   

Sometimes we use is/will/did etc. instead of repeating part of a sentence (see Unit 51):

• Tom says he isn't clever, but I think he is. (= he is clever)

 

When we do this, we put always/never etc. before the verb:

• He always says he won't be late, but he always is. (= he is always late)
• I've never done it and I never will. (= I will never do it)

 

 

 

※ difine, definition : 

 

 

define : de + fine(=finish, limit) 정의하다.

1. to say or explain what the meaning of a word or phrase is

• define something The term ‘mental illness’ is difficult to define.
• define something as something Life imprisonment is defined as 60 years under state law.

 

2. to describe or show the nature or range of somebody/something

• define something The goals of the project are clearly defined.
• At that time women's roles were quite narrowly defined.
• to be broadly/loosely defined
• The difficulty of a problem was defined in terms of how long it took to complete.
• define what, how, etc… It is difficult to define what makes him so popular.
• define yourself (as something) He defines himself as an independent.

 

• a precise/strict definition of a word
• What's your definition of happiness?
• a broad/narrow definition of the concept

 

 

 

※ definite, definitely : 

 

 

definite : (경계가) 분명한

1. sure or certain; unlikely to change

• Can you give me a definite answer by tomorrow?
• No definite conclusions can be drawn from this study.
• They have very definite ideas on how to bring up children.
• definite that… Is it definite that he's leaving?
• I've heard rumours, but nothing definite.
• for definite I'm not sure—I can find out for definite if you like.

 

2. (= clear), easily or clearly seen or understood; obvious

• The look on her face was a definite sign that something was wrong.
• There was a definite feeling that things were getting worse.
• a definite plus/advantage
• There was a definite improvement in the sound

 

 

certain vs. difinite 

: 둘 다 의미는 비슷하지만, definite 의 경우 '이미 정해졌고, 바뀔 가능성도 없음'을 말한다.

 

definite : (rather informal) certain to happen; that is not going to change:

• Is it definite that he’s leaving?

 

Patterns

• certain/​sure of something
• certain/​bound/​sure/​guaranteed to do something
• certain/​definite that…
• I couldn’t say for certain/​sure/​definite.