Help: editorial disagreement

[nap218]

Hello, hoping you can help settle a disagreement among our editorial staff.

Which is correct:
-I have always (been careful).
-or-
-I always have (been careful).

likewise, for instance...
-I will never (ask that question)
-I never will (ask that question).

Thanks!

nap218

-----------------------------

Whichever it turns out to be, can you pass along the applicable rule(s) or precedents?

Thank you very much!

[Katarzyna]

In accordance to the rules in all the grammar books that I have (S.Allen Advanced English structure) only these two forms are acceptable.

-I have always (been careful).
-I will never (ask that question)

Adverbs of frequency like 'never' may sometimes be placed at the beginning of the sentence.

Some references with the rules and exeptions can be found here:
http://esl.about.com/library/grammar/blgr_adverbs_frequency.htm

and some more explanation in the answer to the teacher's letter:
http://www.onestopenglish.com/ProfessionalSupport/ask/grammar_thornbury_frequency.htm

Anyway, you were there first I could read saying that both positions are acceptable and it made me confused .

[Katarzyna]

This is a 'simple rule' that let me think that the two sentences above are correct:

"Adverbs of Frequency indicate approximately how many times something happens.

Similiar to Adverbs of Manner and Adverbs of Time, Adverbs of Frequency can also
be placed at the initial, middle and final position of a clause.

(before the main verb, after the auxiliary verb, between an auxiliary verb and before a main verb, or at the end of a clause)."

[Bob Tyler]

Katarzyna

I have never seen that rule before but it makes a lot of sense. Does that mean that:

I will ask that question never

is also correct?

[Alan]

Hi Bob Tyler,

Not really! Possibilities:

I never ask that question.

I will never answer/ I have never answered that question.

Never do I ask that question.

Never will I ask that question.

Never have I answered that question.

Alan
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[Bob Tyler]

Thanks Alan

I thought it sounded a little strange. Does that mean that the rule that Katarzyna mentioned should be changed to say that the adverb of frequency can't appear at the end of a clause? Or am I still misunderstanding the rule?

[Alan]

Hi Bob Tyler,

It would be very dangerous to say that something can't happen in English! I was referring to your particular sentence. For emphasis you can move the adverb around as in these sentences;

Romeo: I will always love you, Juliet.

Romeo: I will love you, Juliet - always.

But for most of us it's best to keep the frequency adverb as in the examples I gave in the other posting.

Alan
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[Andreana]

Talking about Romeo and adverbs of frequency these lyrics might be interesting too (Jon Bon Jovi song):

This romeo is bleeding
But you can't see his blood
It's nothing but some feelings
That this old dog kicked up

It's been raining since you left me
Now I'm drowning in the flood
You see I've always been a fighter
But without you I give up

I can't sing a love song
Like the way it's meant to be
Well, I guess I'm not that good anymore
But baby, that's just me

And I will love you, baby - Always
And I'll be there forever and a day - Always
I'll be there till the stars don't shine
Till the heavens burst and
The words don't rhyme
And I know when I die, you'll be on my mind
And I'll love you - Always
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[Alan]

Hi Andreana,

Thanks for that.

A
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