Grammar · Adverbs & Word Order

Word Order & Adverb Position

Where do words like “always”, “quickly” and “every day” go in a sentence? Learn the order with the film Mary Poppins.

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The rule in one sentencePut short words like always in the middle, before the main verb, and put words about how, where and when at the end, after the verb and its object.

About the film

Mary Poppins is a Disney musical from 1964, set in London in 1910. Mr Banks works at a bank and is always busy, and his children, Jane and Michael, often run away from their nannies. Then a new nanny, Mary Poppins, arrives at their house one windy day.

What does it do?

Many sentences have extra words that say how often, how, where or when. English puts these words in two main places. Each place has its own job.

Words like always, often and never go in the middle, before the main verb. Words like quickly, in the park and every day go at the end.

Mary Poppins always carries her umbrella.

Jane and Michael often run away.

She tidies the nursery quickly.

Mr Banks walks to the bank every morning.

Look at the tiles. In the first two, the short word sits just before the verb. In the last two, the extra words wait until the end. In the last tile, the place comes first and the time comes last.

Middle — how often, how sure

End — how, where, when

verb always carries

how sings happily

verb often runs

where sings in the park

be is never late

when sings every day

helper can usually fly

all sings happily in the park every day

Notice two things. With be, the middle word comes after it: is never late. And at the end, the order is almost always how, then where, then when.

Mr Banks always leaves the house at the same time. The children never want a strict nanny.
“Always” and “never” sit before the verb. “At the same time” waits until the end.

Visual guide

🎨

Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.

How to make it

always / often / never — in the middle

subject+always+verb

Mary Poppins always knows what to do.

−

Mr Banks doesn’t often play with his children.

With don’t or doesn’t, the word goes after it.

Does Bert usually work in the park?

In questions, it goes after the subject.

how, where, when — at the end

verb+object+how+where+when

Bert draws pictures in the park every day.

−

The children don’t clean their room carefully.

The object comes first, then the extra word.

Do you go to the park at the weekend?

Where comes before when.

When to use each one

middle — how often, how sure

How often: She always takes her umbrella.
Not at all: Mr Banks never has time for games.
How sure: The children will probably like her.
Small words like just and still: Michael has just woken up.

end — how, where, when

How: Mary Poppins sings beautifully.
Where: Bert works in the park.
When: Mr Banks comes home in the evening.
All three: The kids play happily in the garden after lunch.

Words that help: middle or end?

These words usually go in one place or the other.

middle → often used with

alwaysusuallyoftensometimesneverprobablyjuststill

end → often used with

quicklycarefullywellat homein the parkevery dayyesterdayat the weekend

Common mistakes

❌ Mary Poppins carries always her umbrella.

✅ Mary Poppins always carries her umbrella.

Always goes before the main verb, not after it.

❌ The children cleaned quickly the nursery.

✅ The children cleaned the nursery quickly.

Don’t put a word between the verb and its object.

❌ Mr Banks never is late for work.

✅ Mr Banks is never late for work.

With be, the middle word comes after it.

❌ Bert draws pictures every day in the park.

✅ Bert draws pictures in the park every day.

At the end, where comes before when.

One more thing

This part is a little harder. You can come back to it later.

A time word can also go at the start. This gives it more attention. Put a comma after it.
✅ Every evening, Mr Banks comes home from the bank.
✅ Sometimes, the children feel a bit lonely. (sometimes and usually can move to the start too)

Practice: choose the right order

Eight questions. Choose one answer. You get the answer, and why.

1. Mary Poppins ___ her umbrella.

Always goes before the main verb.

2. Mr Banks ___ busy.

With be, always goes after it.

3. The children cleaned ___.

The object comes first, then quickly.

4. Bert sings ___.

Where comes before when.

5. Jane and Michael ___ from their nannies.

Often goes before the verb.

6. Mr Banks walks ___.

Place first, then time.

7. I ___ tea in the morning.

Usually goes before the main verb.

8. Michael ___ tired after a long day.

With be, often goes after it.

Your turn

Choose one ending. Then listen to your sentence.

On Sundays I usually …

I study English …

Every sentence here is correct. Pick the one that is true for you. Say it out loud too!

Keep going

This film’s lesson

▶ Watch the video lessonMary Poppins · Episode 67 on YouTube 📝 Take the quizComprehension quizzes for Mary Poppins 🃏 Open the vocab packKey words from Mary Poppins

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Now hear it in the film

You have just learned word order and adverb position with Mary Poppins. Now hear the whole film explained in English. The full listening episode on the same film — a slow, clear movie review with the language used in real speech, and a free transcript. BeginnerEpisode 67Watch on YouTube

Word Order & Adverb Position — English Grammar (B1)