Adverbial phrases like every day, at night, and on weekends must never separate the verb from its direct object; they always go after the object, at the end of the sentence, as in I eat breakfast every day. When both place and time appear, place comes before time.
Grammar Rule
Adverbial phrases (every day, at night, on weekends, in the evening) must never separate the verb from its direct object — they always go after the object, at the end of the sentence.
Adverbial Phrases: Rules and Examples
| Pattern | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Correct order | verb + object + adverbial phrase | I eat breakfast every day. She reads books at night. They watch movies on weekends. |
| Place + time | place before time | She goes to the gym every morning. We had dinner at a restaurant last night. |
Remember: the adverbial phrase never goes between the verb and its object; it always goes after.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below placing the adverbial phrase in the correct position. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
Adverbial Phrases – Time, Place and Frequency (Word Order)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where do adverbial phrases usually go in a sentence?
Adverbial phrases usually go at the end of the sentence, after the verb and its object, as in I eat breakfast every day.
Can an adverbial phrase separate the verb from its object?
No, an adverbial phrase must never go between the verb and its direct object; it always follows the object instead.
What order do place and time follow when both appear?
Place comes before time, as in she goes to the gym every morning or we had dinner at a restaurant last night.
What are examples of adverbial phrases of frequency?
Examples include every day, on weekends, and at night, all of which describe how often something happens.