Should an adverb go before or after a verb?

Question

For example:

The word rarely turns up outside of those contexts.

The word turns up rarely outside of those contexts.

Which one is correct and why?

Answer 1

Both correct, I don't think it's supposed to be limited here. Maybe the creative usage "turns rarely up" would also be used in some cases.

Answer 2

Positioning adverbs is a complex affair. There are some rules of thumb, but for many adverbs, it is quite acceptable to place it before or after the verb. In this case, I think either way is acceptable, though I would probably find the former more natural, i.e.

The word rarely turns up outside of those contexts.

but the following is also acceptable, if a bit less natural:

The word turns up rarely outside of those contexts.

Two side notes: a) you want those (the plural of that), since contexts is plural, b) of is required in both cases here, as it belongs with the word outside.

Answer 3

"Turns up rarely" appears to describe the way it turns up rather than how often. "Rarely turns up" shows how often.

Answer 4

In the first version, the word "rarely" seems to be the subject, rather than "The word," so the meaning is ambiguous.

As in:

The word "rarely" turns up outside of those contexts.