6.48 position in clause

You can use adverbs of degree in the usual positions for adjuncts.

• I admired him greatly.
• I greatly enjoyed working with them.
• Protesters say that tunnels could greatly reduce the environmental disturbance.

However, you rarely use an adverb of degree at the beginning of a clause. For example, you do not usually say 'Greatly I admired him'. For more information about placing adverbs at the beginning of a clause, see paragraph 10.93.

A few adverbs of degree are nearly always used in front of the main verb: , almost, largely, nearly, really, virtually

For example, you usually say 'He almost got there', not 'He got there almost'.

• The president of the European Commission largely ignored the British conditions.
• He really enjoyed talking about flying.
• The result virtually ensures Scotland's place in the finals.

Some adverbs of degree are almost always used after the main verb: , altogether, enormously, hard, outright, somewhat, tremendously, well

• This was a different level of communication altogether.
• Mr Botha exaggerated somewhat in comparing the incursion with Hitler's invasion of Poland.
• Spear says she admires Lloyd's tremendously.