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Adverbs as short responses (definitely, certainly)

Attitude and viewpoint​

Spoken English:

We often use some adverbs in speaking as short responses to show attitude or viewpoint:

  • A: You know DVDs? Can you record onto them?
  • B: Absolutely.
  • A: Dr Kahn is very nice. He’s very interested in his patients.
  • B: Oh, do you think so?
  • A: Definitely.
  • A: There might be a film on at 2 pm that we could watch.
  • B: Yeah, probably.
  • A: Mandy isn’t going because she just doesn’t like Rick.
  • B: Exactly.
  • A: Maybe she bought two of the same sweaters in case something happened to one.
  • B: Yeah, possibly.
  • A: It should be called ‘English Test’ not ‘Test of English’.
  • B: Precisely.

Spoken English:

We often use not really in this way to soften a no-answer:

  • A: Do you not like chocolate?
  • B: No, not really.

Replies to requests​

We use certainly and of course typically as a reply to a request for a service or favour:

  • A: Can I have the bill please?
  • B: Certainly.
  • [in a clothes shop]
  • A: Is it OK if I try these on?
  • B: Of course.

Intensifying adverbs​

We often use adverbs that make the meaning stronger (very, extremely, really) as a short response:

  • A: He’s an intelligent dog, isn’t he?
  • B: Yes, very*/extremely/*highly.
See also
  • Discourse markers as responses
  • Adverbs
  • Adverbs: types