For Intermediate learners

A viewpoint and commenting adverbs is a type of adverb that modifies a sentence as a whole. In this lesson, we will discuss it in detail.

Viewpoint and Commenting Adverbs in the English Grammar

What Are Viewpoint and Commenting Adverbs?

Viewpoint and commenting adverbs are used to provide commentary or evaluation of what is being discussed, often to express agreement, disagreement, or uncertainty.

As we know, adverbs usually modify verbs in sentences. However, viewpoint and commenting adverbs are used to modify the whole sentence and not just the verb. Compare the following statements:

You should seriously watch it.

As you can see, the adverb is modifying the verb.

You obviously have no idea what you're talking about.

Here, the adverb is modifying a complete sentence.

Common Viewpoint and Commenting Adverbs

There are many adverbs that are used to state points of view or comments. Below is a list of some common adverbs in this category. Let us take a look:

  • Naturally
  • Undoubtedly
  • Clearly
  • Personally
  • Simply
  • Honestly
  • Seriously
  • Supposedly

Now, let us examine some examples below:

Naturally, you're thinking of your father right now.

Apparently, she's not coming to visit you.

Placement in a Sentence

Normally, when we want to state our viewpoints, we put these adverbs at the beginning or at the end of the sentence. Study the following examples carefully:

Naturally, you're feeling terrible right now.

We lost the match, clearly.

Please note that this form is not very common among native speakers.

Warning!

Make sure to add a comma after the adverb when it is used at the beginning of the sentence and before it when used at the end of the sentence.

When we want to give a comment about something or someone, the particular adverb normally comes before the main verb. Only when the verb is 'to be', the adverb can come either before or after the verb. Pay attention to the following examples:

I seriously cannot understand what you're trying to say.

She undoubtedly is a superwoman.

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