Chapter 5B - Sentence Adverbs Flashcards
Sentence adverbs modify a whole sentence, not just part of it. Many adverbs can be used in this way. Sentence adverbs express the speakers attitude, opinion, or reason for speaking.
Certainly: clearly, definitely, obviously, unquestionably
- Obviously, everything you find in a book you can learn from TV and movies.
Less certainly: apparently, evidently, supposedly
- Parents are apparently instructing their children in reading at younger and younger ages.
Possibility and probability: possibly, potentially, probably
- The Internet and e-books could potentially lead to the end of printed books as we know them.
Taking honestly and directly : frankly, honestly, seriously
- Frankly, I’m looking forward to not having to read so much.
Summarizing: basically, essentially, fundamentally, mainly, overall
- Overall, people are putting too much emphasis on technology.
Other attitudes: amazingly, surprisingly, not surprisingly, predictably, fortunately, unfortunately
- Not surprisingly, literature doesn’t interest people as much as it used to.
To express the speakers attitude about the entire sentence, sentence adverbs are most often locate at the beginning of the sentence and set off by a comma.
- Predictably, the hero of the novel won the heart of the girl.
Sentence adverbs can be used in place of longer clauses that modify a sentence.
- People were amazed that Tom was able to write his first novel in one week.
- Amazingly, Tom was able to write his first novel in one week.
- Nobody was surprised that Tom’s first novel didn’t sell well.
- Not surprisingly , Tom’s first novel didn’t sell well.
The following conjunctive adverbs link a sentence with a preceding idea :
accordingly, consequently, hence, indeed, meanwhile, otherwise, thus
- The poet took the stage to begin his reading; the audience took their seats and fell silent.
