Page 195 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

C o m m e n t a d v e r b s ; v i e w p o i n t a d v e r b s ; f o c u s
adverbs;
Comment
focus
adverbs;
viewpoint
a d v e r b s
adverbs
Comment adverbs
Comment adverbs

Some comment adverbs... examples
examples
Some comment adverbs...

obviously,
clearly,
definitely, in theory,
apparently, certainly,
we think
indicate how likely
indicate how likely we think | apparently, certainly, clearly, definitely, in theory, obviously,
is.
presumably, probably, undoubtedly
something is. presumably, probably, undoubtedly
something

or
frankly, generally,
to be honest,
honestly,
indicate our attitude
indicate our attitude to to or astonishingly, frankly, generally, honestly, to be honest,
astonishingly,
of what is
said.
opinion
opinion of what is said. interestingly (enough), luckily, naturally, in my opinion,
interestingly (enough), luckily, naturally, in my opinion,
personally, sadly, seriously, surprisingly, unbelievably
personally, sadly, seriously, surprisingly, unbelievably
show our judgement of bravely, wrongly

carelessly,
of
our judgement
foolishly, generously, kindly, rightly,
show
bravely, carelessly, foolishly, generously, kindly, rightly,
actions.
someone's actions.
someone's
stupidly, wisely,
stupidly, wisely, wrongly

Most common comment adverbs can occur at the front, middle or end of a sentence:
Most common comment adverbs can occur at the front, middle or end of a sentence:
Personally, I'd be surprised if Symons is guilty.
• * Personally, I'd be surprised if Symons is guilty.
He led me to a room that had obviously been built later than the rest of the house.
• ¢ He led me to a room that had obviously been built later than the rest of the house.
The book was based on his experience in China, apparently.
• ¢ The book was based on his experience in China, apparently.
are other possible positions for each of the comment adverbs in this examples. To show
There
There are other possible positions for each of the comment adverbs in this examples. To show
apply to the whole sentence, we usually separate them from the rest of the sentence,
that they
that they apply to the whole sentence, we usually separate them from the rest of the sentence,
front and end positions, by a comma in writing or by intonation in speech.
particularly
particularly in in front and end positions, by a comma in writing or by intonation in speech.
used in
indicate
clauses can
A number of phrases and clauses can be used in a similar way to comment adverbs to indicate
a
be
similar way to comment adverbs to
A number of phrases and
or opinion of, what is said. For example:
our attitude to, or opinion of, what is said. For example:
our attitude to,

e@ To my disappointment, he didn't ask me Oddly enough, she didn't mention that she
To my disappointment, he didn't ask me } @ Oddly enough, she didn't mention that she
(Also To
was moving house. (Also Curiously/
why I was wearing a false nose. (Also To was moving house. (Also Curiously/
why I was wearing a false nose.
my surprise/astonishment, etc.) Funnily/Strangely enough)
Funnily/Strangely enough)
my surprise/astonishment, etc.)
To be frank, I don't think she's the best To put it simply (or Putting it simply), we
e To be frank, I don't think she's the best e To put it simply (or Putting it simply), we
(Also To be (Also To put it
person to do the job. (Also To be need to spend less. (Also To put it
need to spend less.
person to do the job.
honest/truthful/fair, etc.) (or Putting it) bluntly/briefly/mildly, etc.)
(or Putting it) bluntly/briefly/mildly, etc.)
honest/truthful/fair, etc.)

Viewpoint adverbs
Viewpoint adverbs
use these adverbs to make it clear from what point of view we are speaking:
We
We use these adverbs to make it clear from what point of view we are speaking:
been a disaster for the owners of the tunnel.
• ¢ Financially, the accident has been a disaster for the owners of the tunnel.
Financially, the accident has
The brothers may be alike physically, but they have very different personalities.
• ¢ The brothers may be alike physically, but they have very different personalities.
include biologically, chemically, environmentally, ideologically, logically,
Other examples
Other examples include biologically, chemically, environmentally, ideologically, logically,
outwardly, politically, technically, visually.
morally,
morally, outwardly, politically, technically, visually.
used in a similar way: morally speaking, in political terms,
A number of phrases are as far as the environment is concerned, etc.
A number of phrases are used in a similar way: morally speaking, in political terms,
' " come before it. Compare: in mid position (see Unit 90), but if they (= other things are needed) only...)
from a technical point of view,
from a technical point of view, as far as the environment is concerned, etc.
Focus adverbs: even, only and alone
Focus adverbs: even, only and alone
only usually go
subject they
refer to the
Even and only usually go in mid position (see Unit 90), but if they refer to the subject they
Even and
it.
before
come
Compare:
She hasn't brought anything else) and
My mother has only brought some food.
(=
O 9
• ° My mother has only brought some food. (= She hasn't brought anything else) and
(not My mother
(= my mother and nobody else)
Only my mother has brought some food. (= my mother and nobody else) (not My mother only...)
• ¢
• ¢
Only my mother has brought some food.
(not Sue even...) and
(= you might not expect her to)
Even Sue can speak French. (= you might not expect her to) (not Sue even...) and
• ¢
Even Sue can speak French.
(= in addition to everything else she can do)
Sue can even speak French. (= in addition to everything else she can do)
• *
Sue can even speak French.
it comes
after a noun:
mean 'only',
use
alone to
When we use alone to mean 'only', it comes after a noun:
When we
It isn't possible to become a great artist by hard work alone.
It isn't possible to become a great artist by hard work alone. (= other things are needed)
• ¢
Position ofadverbs
Position of adverbs = =>