Word Order Test 1

An adverb of manner usually goes after the verb it describes, so it fits after was sitting: He was sitting comfortably in an armchair. It cannot go between a and newspaper (V), because an adverb cannot describe a noun.

Absolutely is an intensifier, so it goes directly before the adjective it makes stronger: would be absolutely ready. In positions II, III and V it does not describe any word and sounds wrong.

Extremely is a degree adverb and goes before an adjective: was extremely difficult. It cannot go before a noun such as students (III).

Nearly goes before the adjective it describes: it was nearly empty. The contrast with but shows the theatre was almost empty, not almost full, so positions II and III do not work.

Whole is an adjective, so it comes after the article and before the noun: the whole box of sweets. Not whole the box (II), because the article must come first.

In questions, frequency adverbs like ever go after the subject and before the main verb: Do you ever see John these days?

Adjectives about age come before adjectives about material. The material adjective goes right before the noun: a brand new woollen coat. Brand new is one expression, so woollen cannot go between brand and new (III).

Numbers come before all other adjectives: six little black dogs (number, then size, then colour).

An adverb of manner usually goes after the verb: were playing quietly in the backyard. Not between the and children (I), because an adverb cannot describe a noun.

Adjectives go between the article and the noun, with size before colour: a small yellow car. Not before son (II), because the sentence is about the car, not the son.

In indirect questions, we use statement word order (subject + verb), not question word order (auxiliary verb + subject). Therefore, the correct structure is \"where the nearest railway station is\", not \"where is the nearest railway station\". Remember that the word order in an indirect question remains the same as in a statement, even when the sentence begins with a question expression such as Could you tell me...?

Summer is used here like an adjective before a noun, so it goes right before holiday: their summer holiday.

Stupendous (amazing, very great) is an adjective, so it goes before the noun it describes: The stupendous applause. Position V gives stupendous amateur performers, which is grammatical but does not fit the meaning: it is the applause that was great and gave the performers confidence.

In polite requests, please goes after the subject and before the main verb: Would you please hand me…? It can also go at the end after a comma (…the black one there, please?), but not between one and there (V).

The clue is contrasted so well with his dark tan: it is the suit that is white, so the colour adjective goes right before the noun: his white suit.