The Communicative Grammar of English Workbook - Edward Woods, Rudy Coppieters 2002

7.16. Two or more adverbials
Unit seven. Adverbs, adverbials and prepositions

Section 460

Time adverbials in end-position tend to occur in the order duration + frequency + time-when:

- I used to swim for an hour or so every day when I was a child.

When various semantic types of adverbials occur in end-position, the normal order is manner/means/instrument + place + time:

- I was walking quietly across the lawn that evening.

When two time or two place adverbials occur together, the more specific one tends to come first.

However, long adverbials of any type often come at the very end of the sentence.

Task **

Arrange the adverbials in brackets in the most appropriate order.

1. Some scientists believe that palm trees will be growing (in fifty years; in Iceland).

2. We moved together (at the front of the building; into the small colonial room).

3. Laura was sitting (in an armchair; with a magazine in her lap).

4. I found this (among the boulders; by the tower).

5. I tapped (at ten past four; on Stella’s door).

6. The couple had travelled (on the Transsiberian Express; eastward).

7. The barrel of the gun pointed (in my direction; intimidatingly).

8. Martin Cash arrived (after a career of crimes, arrests and escapes; in 1840; in the penal colony of Port Arthur).

9. Hudson travelled (extensively; for several years; in the North).

10. Mr Lee was (in his office; in Hong Kong; on the fourth floor of a supermarket).

11. Ruth gazed (at the paving stone; fixedly; under her feet).

12. Tallinn became visible (about 1 o’clock; in the afternoon; to starboard).