Page 52 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

after auxiliary verbs
adverb position (4): mid-position 24
She has never written to me. (NOT USUALLY She never has written to me.) He was definitely trying to get into the house.
The train wiu probably be late. You can almost see the sea from here.
after amlarelislwaslwere
She was always kind to me. (NOT USUALLY She always was kind to me.)
It is probably too late now. I am obviously not welcome here.
When there are two or more auxiliaries, the adverb usually goes after the first.
You have definitely been working too hard.
She would never have been promoted ifshe hadn't changed jobs.
When an auxiliary verb is used alone instead of a complete verb phrase (see 181), a mid-position adverb comes before it.
Are you working? - I certainly am.
I don't trust politicians. I never have, and I never wiu.
For some more advanced points, see paragraphs 8-11 below.
2 indefinite frequency (how often)
Examples: always, ever, usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes, occasionally, rarely, seldom, never.
We usually go to Scotland in Allgust.
It sometimes gets very windy here. I have never seen a whale. You can always come and stay with us ifyou want to.
Have you ever played American football?
My boss is often bad-tempered. I'm seldom late for work. We have never been invited to one o f their parties.
She must sometimes have wanted to run away.
Usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes and occasionally can also go in front or end position (see 22-23).
Sometimes I think I'd like to live somewhere else. I see her occasionally.
3 adverbs of certainty
Examples: probably, certainly, definitely, clearly, obviously.
He probably thinks you don't like him.
It will certainly rain this evening. There is clearly something wrong.
I definitely feel better today. The train has obviously been delayed.
Maybe and perhaps usually come at the beginning of a clause (see 22). Maybe I'm right and maybe I'm wrong.
Perhaps her train is late.
4 adverbs of completeness
Examples: completely, practically, almost, nearly, quite, rather, partly, sort of, kind of, more or less, hardly, scarcely.
I have completely forgotten your name. Sally can practically read.
It was almost dark.
The house is partly ready. I kind ofhope she wins.
It hardly matters.
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