This week we’re looking at adverbs that we use to introduce sentences. We’ll begin with a set of adverbs that we use to show we are grateful for something that happened.
Starting with a very common adverb, fortunately often introduces a sentence in which the speaker talks about a good thing that happened, preventing something bad: It rained all afternoon. Fortunately, we were indoors most of the time.
Other adverbs that are used in this way are luckily, happily and thankfully:
A car had crashed into the shop. Luckily, no one was hurt.
None of us had coats. Happily, the weather stayed fine all afternoon.
Rosie was there during the terrible storm. Thankfully, she was safe.
If the good thing that happened was extremely lucky, (so lucky that you cannot believe it), you might start the sentence with miraculously: His car fell into a fast-flowing river. Miraculously, he somehow managed to escape.
Of course, there are adverbs that we use in the opposite situation. Unfortunately starts a sentence in which you talk about something bad or disappointing, often something that caused or causes problems for you or someone else: “Are you coming this evening?” “Unfortunately, I’m working.”
Sadly is also used in this way:
Sadly, this didn’t solve the problem.
Sadly, he’s not the public speaker his father was.
(Sadly, as you might expect, also starts sentences in which the speaker relates a sad fact: Sadly, she didn’t live long enough to see her first grandchild.)
Not all adverbs introduce things that are good or bad. The adverb interestingly, as you might imagine, comes before a piece of information that the speaker thinks people will want to know, often because it is surprising: She’s a very respected scientist. Interestingly, she wasn’t very clever at school.
Strangely is used in a similar way, but is more emphatic, introducing something that is the opposite of what you would expect: She was really rude to him. Strangely, he didn’t seem to mind.
Bizarrely at the start of a sentence is even stronger: Bizarrely, this world-famous actor spent her last years in a little village in the English countryside.
Other very common adverbs (basically and essentially) introduce the most important aspect or fact, without any details:
Basically, the aim of the project is to raise awareness of the issue.
Essentially, we are trying to stop this water from being wasted.
Sadly, that’s all for this week. Happily, we’ll be back next week with a different subject!
Dear Kate, even thought I haven’t read this post yet — just its title and the very beginning — I’d like to thank you: I could only dream someone does a review of those introductory words!
That’s nice to know. I hope you find it useful.
Awesome! I had difficulty apply adverbs in the introduction of my phases. Now I’ve learned how to do it.
Well, that’s very encouraging to hear. Great!
Reblogged this on premkumar131's Blog.
Reblogged this on StatsLife.
Thank you. I am learning lots and waiting for next one.
Great! Thanks for getting in touch!
Basically, the text was good and I’m learning a lot about English with this site.
Great! We’re pleased to hear it.
I heard somewhere that, saying “Basically” in business atmosphere is rude.
Is it true?
Hi! Thanks for getting in touch. That’s an interesting question. I don’t think the word in itself is rude. It’s quite commonly used to introduce the main point and, assuming the point being made isn’t rude, I think it’s fine.
Reblogged this on shukrimahmoodmohamed.
I learned a lot
Good! Thanks for letting us know!
Thank you for very useful article. But I want ask is it correct to use adverb weirdly instead adverb strangly?
Hi! Another good question! It’s certainly possible to use ‘weirdly’ in this way, (e.g. Weirdly, we even had the same middle name.) but far less common than ‘strangely’. I hope that helps!
Hello,
Anybody tell me what’s the meaning of (to have a literary bent).
Hi there! A ‘bent’ is a natural skill, so ‘to have a literary bent’ means ‘to be naturally good at literature’. I hope that helps!
Lovely lesson. Thanks.
Thank you!
Madam, could you please tell me the meaning of these idioms [ pearl in the oyster and literary bent]
Hello! I’m not sure if I’ve heard the phrase ‘pearl in the oyster’ but my guess is that it means ‘a very good and valuable thing’. (There is a sense of ‘pearl’ on its own that means this.) I hope that helps!
Thank you Kate! Your articles are always very informative. I’d like to know whether we can use such introductory adverbs when we write an essay, for example.
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Thanks for your useful information. I’m learning English as my second language. You post is going to be helpful for me to keep doing it.
I really like your articles!
Thank you! that’s lovely to hear!
Mam i want to ask that what is the name of this adverb, can we call it introductory adverb or is there any specific name for it?
Reblogged this on Let's talk hearts and commented:
This is one very informative post. Please do check it out!
This was really informative. I have re-blogged it on letstalkheartsblog
Thank you!
hi..can you tell me how to improve english
It is funny how people need to pre-define the feeling behind a situation, when it’s really up for interpretation.
That said, I do use these adverbs to express my emotion, in times where there is emotion but it may not be getting through. Say I’m talking to a lizard, or I’m lizard myself, for lack of a better example.
Reblogged this on Jill M Roberts and commented:
Great grammar post on adverbs starting sentences!
This is really useful. Thanks alot for this☺
Learning New words.Thanks for this Post
As a writer I cringed and smiled as I read this