I was discussing the question of correct word placement in english with a coworker but since we both aren't native speakers we did not come to a conclusion.
Here is an example: Given the sentence
We have no open positions available.
which of the following placements of the word currently are valid?
Is there a simple rule which explains this?
- Currently we have no open positions available.
- We currently have no open positions available.
- We have currently no open positions available.
- We have no open positions currently available.
- We have no open positions available, currently.
Best Answer
They are all correct, though I'd add a few commas here and there. The rule that dictates where adverbs should go is subtle. Adverbs go just before the word or phrase that the adverb is modifying. Essentially 1 - 3 and 5 mean the same thing. Number 5 is least natural because the modifier is at the end, but you've made it into an adverbial phrase.
Really, there are no job openings. End of story.
Number 4 is a little different. 'Currently' is specifically modifying 'available'.
There might be job openings, but for whatever reason, they aren't being filled right now.