which one is correct and why?

Question

It definitely will help John or It will definitely help JohnI don't even know or I even don't knowPlease describe the rule of grammar regarding this

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

The auxiliary verb comes before other verbs.

will (auxiliary) help (main verb)
don't (auxiliary) know (main verb)

You are usually safe putting the adverb after the auxiliary (first verb).

will definitely help
don't even know

If there's no auxiliary verb, put the adverb before the main verb.

It definitely helps.
He even likes anchovies.

CJ

AlpheccaStars · Answer

AnonymousPlease describe the rule of grammar regarding this

It's called the rule of adverb positioning. (It's not exactly a rule, though.)
https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/adverb-position.htm

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/adverbs_position.htm

Anonymous · Answer

But I saw some people use "It definitely will help John or John surely   will ask. And some people use: It  will definitely help or John will surely ask. So which one is better to use/prefer

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous But I saw some people use "It definitely will help John or John surely will ask. And some people use: It will definitely help or John will surely ask. So which one is better to use/prefer

"definitely" is a sentential adverb. That means, more or less, that it can be paraphrased as It is definitely the case that (it will help John). It modifies the whole sentence. Sentential adverbs are more freely placed in sentences than other kinds of adverbs, so neither of your choices is preferable.

In this case, it is a matter of whether you wish to emphasize 'will' (definitely will) or 'help' (definitely help). The difference in the degree of emphasis, however, is miniscule, so it is not worth the trouble to think too deeply or at any great length about it. Choose whichever sounds better to you or whichever you hear more often.

CJ

which one is correct and why?

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