Suggested answer for Exercise 3
If an adverb can be placed between the auxiliary and the main verb, it is a VP adverb. If it precedes the modal auxiliary, it is a sentential adverb.
| (1) | a | The sentence can be reformulated in the following way: It was a clever thing that Agatha answered the question (no matter whether the answer was correct or not). |
| → sentential adverb | ||
| (1) | b | Ron may hardly go to the cinema. |
| *Ron hardly may go to the cinema. | ||
| → VP adverb | ||
| (1) | c | Suddenly, she may burst into tears. |
| → sentential adverb | ||
| (1) | d | Agatha may cleverly answer the question. |
| The sentence can be reformulated in the following way: Agatha’s answer to the question was correct. (In fact, with a special intonational pattern, with a pause before and after cleverly and also stress on the adverb there is a sentential adverb interpretation avaliable, too. However, in writing this is indicated by commas preceding and following the adverb.) | ||
| → VP adverb | ||
| (1) | e | It is certain that they will go to America for holiday. |
| → sentential adverb | ||
| (1) | f | The student has thoroughly rewritten her thesis. |
| *The student thoroughly has rewritten her thesis. | ||
| → VP adverb | ||
| (1) | g | The king should often visit the neighbouring countries. |
| *The king often should visit the neighbouring countries. | ||
| → VP adverb |