Grammatical question?

Question

Symbolism is widely used in all forms of literature.

Symbolism is used widely in all forms of literature.

Which is it? I'm trying to say that symbolism is used in many types of literature.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Well first off, it is in passive voice, so it will make more sense if you say WHAT uses symbolism first.

"All forms of literature use symbolism" is a better sentence than
"Symbolism is used in all forms of literature". See what I mean? It is always better to put the thing/person doing the action first.

"The boy threw the ball" is better than "The ball was thrown by the boy"

I know this sounds tedious and like I'm not answering your question, but I am. If you write your sentence correctly in the first place, then it will be easier to tell where to put "widely".

All forms of literature use symbolism widely.
or
All forms of literature widely use symbolism.

The second sounds much more natural.

But really it is always best just to say what you mean.

"There is symbolism in all literature" is the best statement. All you are doing is stating a simple fact, so there is no reason to make it flowery and complicated. Just say what you mean.

Answer 2

A basic rule of grammar is that, wherever practicable, adverbs should be placed before and as near as possible to the verbs they qualify. Therefore, "widely used" is the correct construction.

Answer 3

I may not be an English teacher, but if I had to choose with using my deep concentration and thought, I'd say the first one. It sounds better and clearer.

Go with the first one.