Adverb placement

Hi! I just wanted to ask the same thing! (funny

What is the difference between

I often see my son.

cephI do not talk often
Often I do not talk

The meaning is the same. You emphasize "often" a bit more if you put it at the beginning.

CJ

AnonymousI often see my son.
I see my son often.

The meaning is the same.

The normal position for adverbs of frequency is 1) before the verb if there is only one verb, or 2) after the first verb if there is more than one verb. The exception is that 3) the adverb normally goes after any form of be (am, is, are, was, were) no matter h

Hi CJ, thanks for your answer! I see that I often see my son is correct.

But I see my son often doesn't refer to any of your explanations 1)-3)...?! Often is neither put before the verb (1) nor after the first verb (2) nor is there a form of "be" (3). Here, it's at the end after the object and obviously correct - but why??

Thx!

Writers sometimes move the adverb from its normal position to the beginning or to the end of the sentence for emphasis and sometimes just for variety in a longer text.

CJ

However, I see a difference. I think it's because of the presence of the auxiliary verb 'do'.

I do not talk often ---> I talk at another frequency (e.g. I talk sometimes)

Adverbial scope of 'often' covers verb 'talk'.

Often I do not talk ---> Often I keep my mouth shut

Here adverbial scope of 'often' covers 'don't talk'.

How are they the same?

cephI do not talk often ---> I talk at another frequency (e.g. I talk sometimes)
Adverbial scope of 'often' covers verb 'talk'.
Often I do not talk ---> Often I keep my mouth shut
Here adverbial scope of 'often' covers 'don't talk'.

This is a better explanation. But I don't think it's because of auxiliary 'do'. I think it's because of the n

CalifJimThis is a better explanation. But I don't think it's because of auxiliary 'do'. I think it's because of the negation (which in turn requires 'do').

CJ

CJ, I just came across what might be an exception. Could I have your opinion on this?

I don't understand sometimes --> adverbial scope of 'sometimes' could very possibly cover 'don

At the moment I'm not able to focus on the distinction you're referring to. sometimesis an adverb that is much more flexible in terms of placement in a sentence, so no matter where you put it, it seems to have the same effect - at least in my brain this morning.