LoginViewpoint and Commenting Adverbs
Dive deep into the rules and nuances of viewpoint and commenting adverbs like 'fortunately', 'sadly', and 'honestly'. Detailed explanations, advanced exercises, and a quiz to test your understanding.
What Are Viewpoint and Commenting Adverbs?
Viewpoint and commenting adverbs are words that express the speaker's or writer's opinion or point of view about a particular situation, action, or idea. They are used to provide commentary or evaluation of what is being discussed, often to express agreement, disagreement, or uncertainty.
Viewpoint and Commenting Adverbs: Usage
A viewpoint and commenting adverb (also called sentence adverbs) is an adverb that modifies the sentence as a whole, rather than modifying the verb. Compare the examples:
You need to listen carefully to my words.
In this sentence, 'carefully' is an adverb modifying the verb 'listen.'
Fortunately, I managed to get her to agree.
In this sentence, the adverb 'thankfully' applies to the entire sentence and not just the verb.
These adverbs indicate the attitude of the speaker about a particular situation.
Honestly, it doesn't matter.
Apparently, the firm is losing all the money.
Placement in Sentence
Sentence adverbs are usually placed at the beginning of the sentence. They can be placed at the end of the sentences as well, but it is not very common. In both cases, they are separated from the rest of the sentence using a comma (,).
Unfortunately, we lost the game.
We arrived there on time, luckily.
These adverbs can also come before the verb. Look at the examples:
I seriously can't go on like this.
You definitely are cute.
Common Viewpoint and Commenting Adverbs
Common viewpoint and commenting adverbs include:
Obviously
Seriously
Personally
Technically
Kindly
Fortunately
Naturally
Theoretically
Unfortunately
Honestly
Take a look at some more examples:
Personally, I prefer to spend my weekends at home to rest and recharge.
Technically, the two countries are still at war.
Sentence Adverbs vs. Conjunctive Adverbs
A conjunctive adverb is typically used to join and modify two independent clauses, similar to a coordinating conjunction. However, a sentence adverb does not necessarily connect two clauses together. It simply modifies a clause to express the speaker's attitude. Compare the examples:
Jimmy kept talking in the meeting; therefore, it was hard to focus. → Conjunctive Adverb
Unbelievably, they showed up late again. → Sentence Adverb
Review
Viewpoint and commenting adverbs are used to express the speaker's attitude toward what is being communicated. They usually come at the beginning or end of the sentence and are separated from the rest of the sentence using a comma.
Unfortunately, the flight was canceled.
Surprisingly, the plan worked.
Quiz:
Which of the following sentences uses a viewpoint or commenting adverb?
She sings beautifully in the choir.
Honestly, I don't believe a word he says.
They completely renovated their kitchen.
He carefully placed the vase on the table.
Sort the words to form a correct sentence.
Complete each sentence using the appropriate viewpoint and commenting adverb.
, the company decided to shut down the project. (Carefully / Surprisingly / Loudly)
, we arrived just before the storm hit. (Naturally / Fortunately / Slowly)
, I don't think that's a good idea. (Honestly / Swiftly / Regularly)
The results,
, were exactly what we expected. (finally / naturally / suddenly)
, he has all the qualifications for the role, but he has no experience. (Technically / Quickly / Gently)
Which sentence uses a sentence adverb correctly?
Clearly I don't agree with that decision.
I honestly think you should apologize.
She handled the situation well fortunately.
Fortunately; they responded quickly to the emergency.
Which sentence does not contain a viewpoint and comment adverb?
Frankly, I don't think this is a good idea.
She missed the bus. Consequently, she was late for work.
I'm surprised. Honestly, I wasn't expecting such a big crowd.
Surprisingly, the event went smoothly despite the rain.
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