00 / Other
Word order with multiple adverbs
When using multiple adverbs in a single sentence, they typically follow a specific order: Manner, Place, and Time. This structure ensures clarity and natural flow in English sentences.
B1Intermediate
01 / The MPT Rule
In English, when several adverbs or adverbial phrases appear at the end of a sentence, they usually follow the Manner-Place-Time (MPT) order.
- Manner: How something happens (e.g., quickly, well).
- Place: Where something happens (e.g., at home, there).
- Time: When something happens (e.g., yesterday, at 5:00).
02 / Standard Word Order
Subject + Verb + (Object) + Manner + Place + Time
The adverbs usually follow the main verb or the direct object if one is present.
03 / Examples
04 / Common mistakes
He ran yesterday quickly in the park.
He ran quickly in the park yesterday.
Time adverbs usually come last, while manner adverbs come first after the verb.
She sang in the concert beautifully.
She sang beautifully in the concert.
The adverb of manner should precede the adverb of place.
05 / Practice
Reorder these words: (at the stadium / the team / last Saturday / played / well).
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Answer: The team played well at the stadium last Saturday.
Why: The sentence follows the Manner (well), Place (at the stadium), and Time (last Saturday) order.
Correct the sentence: 'I studied in the library hard this morning.'
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Answer: I studied hard in the library this morning.
Why: The adverb of manner 'hard' must come before the place 'in the library'.
Which is more natural? A) 'He walked slowly home.' B) 'He walked home slowly.'
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Answer: A
Why: While both are sometimes used, 'slowly' (manner) usually precedes 'home' (place) in standard MPT order.