Word order of adverbs

The term adverb (Adv) refers to any individual word that expresses time, place, or manner and cannot be considered an inflected or uninflected noun or pronoun. Examples of adverbs include here, now, often, and certainly. The basic word order[1] of such constructions within the sentence is determined by analysis of transitive sentences, and the position of Adv should be considered relative to the three arguments of the sentences: S, V, and O (not necessarily in that order).

Types:

NoBWO: There is no basic word order.[2]

Adv1: The adverb precedes the first transitive argument; for example, AdvSVO for SVO sentences, AdvSOV for SOV sentences, etc.

Adv2: The adverb follows the first transitive argument and precedes the second; for example, SAdvVO for SVO sentences, SAdvOV for SOV sentences, etc.

Adv3: The adverb follows the second transitive argument and precedes the third; for example, SVAdvO for SVO sentences, SOAdvV for SOV sentences, etc.

Adv4: The adverb follows the third transitive argument; for example, SVOAdv for SVO sentences, SOVAdv for SOV sentences, etc.

When a language displays more than one type, multiple values can be listed, with the exception of NoBWO. If one type is dominant, a slash (/) can separate the two values, with the dominant value appearing first; if no type is dominant, they are listed with an ampersand (&) separating the values.[3]

 

[1] For the definition of basic word order, see the parameter Basic word order (S, V, O).

[2] See the parameter Basic word order (S, V, O).

[3] In some languages, adverbial behavior is determined by adverb subtype, such as temporal vs. locative. In such cases, the two values should be listed with an ampersand, and the specifics should be detailed in the commentary.