Connecting and comment adverbials

Examples of connecting adverbials: then, next, after that, besides, anyway, suddenly, however, as a result, on the other handThese words and expressions show how a clause connects with what came before. Naturally, they generally go in front position.

• I worked until five o’clock. Then I went home.
• Next, I want to say something about the future.
• Suddenly the door opened.
• Some of us want a new system. However, not everybody agrees.
• It was hard work; on the other hand, we really enjoyed the experience.

Examples of comment adverbials: fortunately, surprisingly, in my opinion, arguably, as you might expect These adverbials show a speaker’s or writer’s opinion of what he/she is talking about. They, too, most often go in front position.

• Fortunately, several people have decided to help us.
• Stupidly, I did not read the contract before signing it.
• Arguably, this is her finest novel since ‘Flowers of Doom’.
• As you might expect, his remarks have attracted widespread criticism.

Other positions are possible, especially with shorter adverbials.

• Not everybody, however, agrees.
• I stupidly did not read the contract before signing it.

note

For the use of some of these adverbials as discourse markers, (see here), (see here).