Placing some adverbs

Question

I have some doubts about the placing of some adverbs in sentences. I have always been said that these must be before the verb. But, this is not like this when the verb is "to be". In this case, it would remain after the verb. I have improved some my grammar about that. But, I am not completely sure about some aspects. Here are some examples:

I can be often at home or I can often be at home

I have more doubts about "still". Then, I have looked it up in the dictionary. And it seems to be that "still" is always placed after "to be" and before any other verb, including the auxiliary verbs. That looks strange because I thought that "still" should be after the auxiliary verb.

Here are some examples with "still":

they were still dancing

I’ve written four times and I still haven’t had a reply

I explained again, but still she didn’t understand

I still can’t/couldn’t understand it

Are we still friends?

We are still friends

As always, I would like to know your opinions.

I have always been told. - Eddy, Sep 10, 2009

Or, I have always said. - Eddy, Sep 10, 2009

Answer 1

Definitely "I can often be at home" would be used more.

All the "still" examples look fine.

Answer 2

Then, these sentences would be:

I don't often go to the cinema.

I have often been in New York or I have been often in New York.

Are they OK?

All three are correct. - samdie, Sep 10, 2009

All right. - nila45, Sep 11, 2009

Answer 3

Please delete

Answer 4

Please Delete

I disagree. I think that it is an adverb in either case, modifying "standing" which is a verb which make "still" an adverb in either case. - 0074b507, Sep 10, 2009

Thanks for clearing that up. - Nicole-B, Sep 10, 2009

If you consider "standing" as an adjective then still would be modibying an adjective and "still" be an adverb. - 0074b507, Sep 10, 2009

Answer 5

Delete please

Answer 6

still = aún, todavía

still = quieto, tranquilo

Answer 7

It is true that the word "still" often precedes a verb, but I don't think there is a rule about it. I think it is one of those things that you have to get a feel for the correct sound. Using your example "Are we still friends?" could also be said "Are we friends still?" There are many more examples similar to this.

One thought that occurred to me was that on some occasions, the word "still" can take on another meaning. For instance, "The boy is still standing in line." vs "The boy is standing still in line." The second sentence is telling you that the boy is standing in such a way that he is not fidgeting or moving around.

Hopefully, this will not confuse you more. I think I'm starting to confuse myself.

Answer 8

Definitely, the rules seem to work in a different way with "still". But ...

I meant: I have always been told. - nila45, Sep 10, 2009