Position of adverbs

Question

I am often confused with the position of the adverb in a sentence, especially when the verb consists of more than 2 words. Is there a general rule that we should follow? For example, I am not sure which of the following sentences is correct (or more appropriate).

a) She has greatly been influenced by contemporary art.
b) She has been greatly influenced by contemporary art.

a) This incident can negatively affect his reputation.
b) This incident can affect negatively his reputation.

If there is no general rule that can be applied in all cases, could you please tell me some things I should have in mind in order to make the best possible choice?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Anonymouswhen the verb consists of more than 2 words. Is there a general rule that we should follow?

Types of adverbs vary in their versatility, but when they can be positioned within a verb phrase, they generally appear after the first word of the phrase. However, as in your first example, there are exceptions, and 'be' seems to be one of them:

She has been greatly influenced by contemporary art.
This incident can negatively affect his reputation.

Also:

She was greatly influenced
She could have been greatly influenced

but also:

She has often been influenced
She was often influenced
She could often have been influenced

Anonymous · Answer

Some general rules:

She influenced contemporary art.
She greatly influenced contemporary art. (When there is a single verb, the adv. generally comes immediately before the verb.)
She influenced contemporary art greatly. (This is an alternate position, at the end of the clause.)

She has influenced contemporary art.
She has greatly influenced contemporary art. (If the verb has two components, the adv. generally is put between the two verbs.)
She has influenced contemporary art greatly. (This is an alternate position, at the end of the clause.)

She will have influenced contemporary art.
She will have greatly influenced contemporary art. (If the verb has three components, the adv. generally is put after the second component.)
She will have influenced contemporary art greatly. (This is an alternate position, at the end of the clause.)

She will have been influenced by contemporary art.
She will have been greatly influenced by contemporary art. (If the verb has four components, the adv. generally is put after the third component.)
She will have been influenced greatly by contemporary art. (This is an alternate position, after the fourth component.)

However, there are many exceptions to the above "rules" that have to be learned by experience. For example, certain adverbs - like generally, usually, typically, etc. - can be more moveable that others. All of the following are okay:

She is generally turned off by contemporary art.
She generally is turned off by contemporary art.
She is turned off generally by contemporary art.
She is turned off by contemporary art generally.
Generally she is turned off by contemporary art.

Position of adverbs

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