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 sentence correctly uses a viewpoint adverb?
She quickly finished her homework before dinner.
Fortunately, the rain stopped before the outdoor concert.
He ran to the store; however, it was closed.
They happily accepted the invitation.
Sort the words to form a correct sentence.
Choose the correct adverb to complete each sentence.
, I think we should postpone the event due to the weather forecast. (Quickly / Personally / However)
, the experiment yielded unexpected results. (Surprisingly / Because / Carefully)
, the legal documents were filed incorrectly. (Emotionally / Technically / Extremely)
, the plan failed. (Kindly / Personally / Sadly)
, the solution was wrong. (Obviously / Hardly / Efficiently)
Which sentence places the viewpoint adverb incorrectly?
We, unfortunately, lost the game.
Unfortunately, we lost the game.
We lost the game unfortunately.
We lost unfortunately the game.
Which of the following sentences does not include an adverb of viewpoint and comment?
Obviously, the project was more difficult than we expected.
Consequently, the team finished ahead of schedule.
Surprisingly, the results were better than predicted.
Honestly, I don't understand this assignment.
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