Adverbs can modify other adverbs, and their position in a sentence can completely change the meaning. Understanding adverbial modification and position helps you express precise meanings and avoid ambiguity.
Quick tip: Place only before the word you emphasize. Adverbs modify the word they're closest to. Position = meaning!
Adverbs Premodifying Adverbs
Some adverbs modify other adverbs to show degree or extent. The modifying adverb comes before the modified adverb.
Almost exactly what I expected. (almost modifies 'exactly')
The position of only changes what you're emphasizing. Place only directly before the word you want to emphasize.
Only I saw him. (no one else saw him - emphasizes 'I')
I only saw him. (I didn't speak to him - emphasizes 'saw')
I saw only him. (I didn't see anyone else - emphasizes 'him')
I saw him only yesterday. (not today - emphasizes 'yesterday')
Position of Other Adverbs for Meaning
Moving adverbs changes emphasis and meaning. Place the adverb near the word it modifies to avoid ambiguity.
I almost lost my keys. (nearly lost them)
I lost almost all my keys. (lost most of them)
She clearly explained it. (explained clearly)
She explained it clearly. (same meaning, different emphasis)
Common mistakes
Not "I only saw him yesterday. (ambiguous - could mean 'only I' or 'only yesterday')" — say "Only I saw him yesterday. OR I saw him only yesterday.". Place only directly before the word you want to emphasize to avoid ambiguity..
Not "She very speaks well." — say "She speaks very well.". Adverb of degree very goes before the adverb it modifies ('well'), not before the verb..
Practise it
Position matters! Only before the word you emphasize. Adverbs modify the closest word. Check what each adverb modifies!