Q:有些副詞既可以位在語氣助動詞的前面,也可以在後面,如 We most likely will be late. 或 We will most likely be late.。這兩句何者才是正確的寫法,還是兩者都可以?!

A:副詞是出了名的「滑溜」,可能在句子任何奇怪的地方突然冒出來。所以,問題中的 We will most likely be late. (我們很可能會遲到) 當然是對的,但 We most likely will be late. 也沒有錯。若干文法書將部分副詞稱為「句中副詞」(midsentence adverbs),其中大多是一般所謂的頻率副詞,如 ever, always, usually, often, frequently, generally, sometimes, occasionally, seldom, rarely, hardly ever, never, already, just, probably 等。這些副詞通常位在助動詞的後面、主動詞的前面,但位在 BE 動詞的後面,如 You should always tell the truth. (你應該都要說實話);Mary has never seen snow. (瑪麗從未看過雪)。

如果有兩個助動詞,則句中副詞可以放在第一或第二個助動詞的後面,如 It must already have been done. (那件事必定已經做好了) 或 It must have already been done.。然而,在報章雜誌中,常常會見到將句中副詞置於助動詞前面的情況,如 I never would tell you the truth. (我絕不會告訴你真相)。

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