Grammar: Word classes: Adverbs

Expressing a personal viewpoint

Adverbs do many jobs. Usually we think of them as telling us more about an action: 'how?', 'when?', 'where?'. But they also have an interpersonal function, expressing the speaker's viewpoint on the content of what they are saying. Here are some examples from student essays:

Astonishingly, one-third of all black males between the ages of 18 and 35 are in prison right now.

If I studied English, I could learn some new words that I do not know yet. I could watch more television series. But most importantly I would understand people and I would read more.

Personally, I find it extremely odd that anyone should want to be Meg, Amy, Beth, or especially Marmee. Jo is the great heroine.

Realistically, understanding and expressing the English language coherently and correctly is essential for me to become a good English teacher.

Frankly, working-class mothers wouldn't be stupid enough to get their three-year-olds learning French or history.

These adverbs provide a comment on the whole statement (unlike, for example, manner adverbs that only give details about the verb). For this reason they are sometimes called 'comment adverbs'.

For more information about comment adverbs, click here:

We say that comment adverbs have an interpersonal function because they encourage (or discourage) interaction between people. If you express an opinion, you are encouraging someone to respond to that opinion. If, for example, you begin a sentence with 'Surprisingly ... ', then the listener or reader will most likely take up the clue and respond with 'Really!' or 'How strange!'.

Here is a list of some common comment adverbs:

If you would like to revise your knowledge of comment adverbs, click here:
If you would like to read about problems that your students might have with comment adverbs, click here:

For more information on using comment adverbs, see  

Grammar: Clause: Using the clause to organise text: Focusing on feelings and attitudes  

For more information, see

Text types: Recounts: Expressing feelings and opinions