for no ads

Ending sentence with an adverb?

14 replies
1 2
Anonymous:
Is this sentence proper: "He has never been to Chicago before."

Or should it be, "He has never before been to Chicago."

Thank you.
Thread is locked
:
... to Chicago before is absolutely fine and very natural sounding.
The second one is less usual, but also correct.

CJ
Veteran Member45,906
Moderator: A super-user who takes care of the forums. You have the ability to message a moderator privately should you wish. These users have a range of elevated privileges including the deletion, editing and movement of posts when needed.Proficient Speaker: Users in this role are known to maintain an excellent grasp of the English language. You can only be promoted to this role by the Englishforums team.
Thread is locked
Anonymous:
Some would argue that the final position might bring more emphasis on before.
Thread is locked
:
That's an interesting thought, Anon.

I must admit, to me, the final position seems like the normal version, while the central position suggests mild emphasis:

1. He has never before been to Chicago.

MrP
Veteran Member12,806
Proficient Speaker: Users in this role are known to maintain an excellent grasp of the English language. You can only be promoted to this role by the Englishforums team.Retired Moderator: A moderator who has retired.
Thread is locked
:
Also note that it is the never that allows the before in that position, confirming that the more neutral position is sentence final.

*He has before been to Chicago.
He has been to Chicago before.

CJ
Moderator: A super-user who takes care of the forums. You have the ability to message a moderator privately should you wish. These users have a range of elevated privileges including the deletion, editing and movement of posts when needed.Proficient Speaker: Users in this role are known to maintain an excellent grasp of the English language. You can only be promoted to this role by the Englishforums team.
Thread is locked
Anonymous:
"He has never been to Chicago before." it's the correct sentence
Thread is locked
:
Hi,
Note that, in uncommon situations where you want a lot of emphasis, it's also possible to say the rather formal
"Never before has he been to Chicago."

Best wishes, Clive
Veteran Member61,636
Moderator: A super-user who takes care of the forums. You have the ability to message a moderator privately should you wish. These users have a range of elevated privileges including the deletion, editing and movement of posts when needed.Teachers: Users in this role are certified teachers. This may include DELTA, CELTA, TESOL, TEFL qualified professionals. Email a scan of your qualification to an admin, if you wish to be considered.
Thread is locked
Anonymous:
I know I'm three years late, but either works in English. The more proper of the sentences in today's vernacular is the first.
Thread is locked
Anonymous:
"He has never been to Chicago."

Why bother with "before" if you already said he's "never been" there?
Thread is locked
Show more
Interesting stuff
Live chat
Registered users can join here

Related forum topics:

Adverb?looking for an adverb?Conjunctive Adverb Sentence Combining?Ending A Sentence With A Preposition, Right or...'aside' as an adverb?ending a letter?Ending of a sentence!!?ending a sentence with a preposition?Adverb and prepositions...?problem in the definition of ''adverb''?Ending sentence?conjunctive adverb?Sentence help-adverb clause?Adverb for a noun or adverb for a sentence?Adverb clause in this sentence?Adverb, conjunctive adverb or sentence adverb?Adverb Phrases?'the most' as an adverb?Ending a sentence with 'is'?

Places to start

 

Community Sites

Browse Englishforums


Help