40.    Sentence adverbs

These modify the whole sentence/clause and normally express the speaker's/narrator's opinion.

A.    Adverbs expressing degrees of certainty

(a)  actually (= in fact/really), apparently, certainly, clearly, evidently, obviously, presumably, probably, undoubtedly

(b)  definitely

(c)  perhaps, possibly, surely

Adverbs in group (a) above can be placed after be:

He is obviously intelligent. before simple tenses of other verbs:

They certainly work hard.       He actually lives next door. after the first auxiliary in a compound verb:

They have presumably sold their house.

at the beginning or at the end of a sentence or clause:

Apparently he knew the town well.

He knew the town well apparently.

definitely can be used in the above positions but is less usual at the beginning of a sentence.

perhaps and possibly are chiefly used in front position, though the end position is possible.

surely is normally placed at the beginning or end, though it can also be next to the verb. It is used chiefly in questions:

Surely you could pay $1?      

You could pay $1, surely?

Note that though the adjectives sure and certain mean more or less the same, the adverbs differ in meaning. certainly = definitely:

He was certainly there; there is no doubt about it. But surely indicates that the speaker is not quite sure that the statement which follows is true. He thinks it is, but wants reassurance.

Surely he was there? (I feel almost sure that he was.)

B.     Other sentence adverbs

admittedly, (un)fortunately, frankly, honestly*, (un)luckily, naturally*, officially* etc. are usually in the front position though the end position is possible. They are normally separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. Starred adverbs can also be adverbs of manner.

Honestly, Tom didn't get the money. (Sentence adverb, honestly here means 'truthfully'. The speaker is assuring us that Tom didn't get the money.)

Tom didn't get the money honestly (adverb of manner) = Tom got

the money dishonestly.