Comment adverbials

Comment adverbs and adverbial phrases:

- express how certain the speaker is about something.

Some common adverbs: certainly, definitely, possibly,
probably, undoubtedly

She’s definitely happier now than she used to be.

Some common phrases: without a doubt, in theory, in all

likelihood/probability

In all likelihood, the meeting will have to be postponed.

- express the speaker’s attitude or opinion about what they

are saying.
Some common adverbs: frankly, personally,
(un)fortunately, obviously, surprisingly, strangely

Strangely, I haven’t heard from her since she moved.

(= I think her failure to communicate is strange.)

Personally, I’d prefer not to live abroad.

Some common phrases: quite honestly, generally

speaking, to my surprise

Quite honestly, I don’t think you should have given him so

much money.
Comment adverbials expressing opinions often go at the
beginning of a sentence. However, they can also be placed:

- in a middle position in the sentence (often after the

subject or after the verb):

Martina, unfortunately, didn’t arrive until midday.

She was, unfortunately, too late for her appointment.

- at the end of the sentence:

Luca is thinking of going to Australia, apparently.

These comment adverbials are usually separated from the rest of the
sentence by commas.