为何将widely放在used之前?

有一读者问:

(1)English is widely used in the world.

这句话中为何不将副词widely放在used之后?

widely是一程度副词。用在被动句中,一般不强调,常置于be与过去分词之间。再如:

(2)The two houses are widely separated.

(3)The story is believed to have been widely read.

widely需要侧重时亦可置于句末,如:

(4)Reactions to the TV play have varied widely .

其它程度副词在被动语态中亦多置于be与过去分词之间,且以greatly为例:

(5)We were greatly moved by his devotion to duty.