| EMPHASIS IN SPEECH | EMPHASIS IN WRITING (OR SPEECH) |
|---|---|
In speech, a sentence part that receives emphasis has a particular meaning. Each sentence below differs in meaning depending on the part that is stressed. |
In writing and speech, we draw attention to a particular part of a sentence with a focusing adverb. Without the focusing word, the spoken version would require emphasis to make its meaning known. When we use a focusing adverb, it signals to the reader or listener — this information is important! |
WHO IS COMING? YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS are coming with us. (Just you, not the others.) |
WHO IS COMING? ONLY you and your friends can go with us. Modifies the subject (a noun phrase). |
WHAT ARE WE DOING? You and your friends ARE COMING with us. (We are your means of getting there.) |
WHAT ARE WE DOING? You and your friends are ONLY coming with us. Modifies the verb phrase. |
WITH WHOM? You and your friends are coming with US. (With us, not anyone else.) |
WITH WHOM? You and your friends are coming ONLY with us. Modifies a prepositional phrase. |
WHY? You and your friends are comin with us BECAUSE WE HAVE TO CARPOOL. (For no other reason!) |
WHY? You and your friends are coming with us ONLY because we have to carpool. Modifies an adverbial clause. |
| ADDITIVE | LIMITED | LIMITED |
|---|---|---|
also |
alone |
not only |
as well |
but |
only |
too |
exactly |
precisely |
even |
exclusively |
purely |
|
just |
simply |
|
merely |
solely |
| PARTIAL LIMITATION | PARTIAL LIMITATION | OTHER |
|---|---|---|
chiefly |
primarily |
NEGATIVE |
especially |
at least |
neither / nor |
mainly |
for the most part |
CHOICE |
mostly |
in particular |
either |
notably |
|
SURPRISE |
particularly |
|
even |
Also see "not only, but also".
(CaGEL 587) (Swan 24.6)
| WITHOUT FOCUSING ADVERBS | WITH FOCUSING ADVERBS |
|---|---|
Typically an adverb modifies another word such as a verb, adjective, another adverb or a prepositional phrase. Focusing adverbs such as also, just, even, only mainly, mostly, particularly, especially, either or, neither nor, etc. differ because they point to a part of a clause. Focusing adverbs can modify noun phrases, prepositional phrases, verb phrases, adjective phrases and adverbial phrases. Compare the sentences without and with focusing adverbs: |
Focusing adverbs can "point to" any part of the sentence, but they most commonly focus on the verb phrase. They may occur next to (before) the phrase they refer to, or they may occur in a clause after. (See Sentence Position .) We can state the sentence without a focusing adverb, but its attention-getting effect will be lost! |
ADDITION Mobile/cell phones can browse the Internet. They can play music. |
FOCUS ON ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Mobile phones can browse the Internet. They can also play music. (also draws focus to the entire verb phrase) |
Mobile/cell phones can browse the Internet, and they can play music. (A conjunction can add a clause.) |
Mobile phones can browse the Internet, and they can also play music. and… also |
|
Mobile phones can browse the Internet, but they cannot also receive a call. but… not also |
LIMITATION My mobile phone cannot make long-distance call. It makes local calls. |
FOCUS ON LIMITATION My mobile phone cannot make long-distance call. It can only / just make local calls. |
My mobile phone cannot make long-distance call, but it does make local calls. (Auxiliary moved for emphasis.) |
My mobile phone cannot make long-distance calls. It is primarily / solely for local call. |
PARTIAL LIMITATION My mobile/cell phone has been very useful. (Adverb modifies adjective.) |
FOCUS ON PARTIAL LIMITATION My cell phone has especially / particularly been useful. (truly, especially) (but not: very) |
My mobile/cell phone can make calls and hold contact numbers. It is for making calls. |
My cell phone is mainly / mostly for making calls. (truly, especially, particularly, above all) |
SURPRISE OR EXCEPTION My cell phone can navigate to an address, and it can show me where the traffic is . |
FOCUS ON AN SURPRISING OR EXCEPTIONAL OCCURENCE My cell phone can navigate to an address. It can even show me where the traffic is. (surprisingly) |
|
My mobile phone cannot browse the Internet. It cannot even save phone numbers. (sadly) |
CHOICE / NEGATIVE My mobile phone can browse the Internet, or It can send a text message. |
FOCUS ON CHOICE OR NEGATIVE My mobile phone can either browse the Internet, or it can send a text message. (choice of one) |
My mobile phone cannot browse the Internet, and It cannot send a text message. |
My mobile phone can neither browse the Internet nor can it send a text message. (nothing!) |
Related pages: And / In addition | Indeed / Even | Splitting Verbs
En-US— cell phone; En-Br— mobile [phone]
| SUBJECT– NOUN PHRASE | VERB PHRASE | OBJECT– NOUN PHRASE |
|---|---|---|
Some focusing adverbs occur initially, drawing focus to the subject. |
Most focusing verbs can occur mid-position (1) after the main verb, (2) after the auxiliary but before the main verb, (3) after a "be" main verb. |
Most focusing adverbs can appear after the verb drawing attention to the object or a prepositional phrase. (In place of also, too or as well can be used in final position. |
|
|
|
Even I wouldn't wear flip-flops to the White House. (I am no exception.) |
I wouldn't even wear flip-flops to the supermarket. (no exceptions) |
I wouldn't wear even flip-flops. (not shoes and not flip-flops) |
Just we wore flip-flops to dinner. (Only we did, not other people.) |
We just ate appetizers not dinner. (only— ate, didn't dance) |
We ate just a little bit. (only — not much) |
*Also I am sending a kiss. Also, I am sending a kiss. (conj. adverb) |
I am also sending a kiss. (while mailing these cookies) |
I am sending also a kiss [too / as well]. (with these cookies) |
*Really I am sorry. / Really, I am sorry.. (conj. adverb) |
I really am sorry. (no doubt) / I am really sorry. (very sorry– adj.) |
— |
*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.
Related page Sentence adverbs
| REALLY | ONLY | RECENTLY | EXACTLY |
|---|---|---|---|
When just comes before a verb giving a strong opinion (love, adore, hate, can't stand, tolerate, can't put up with), the meaning is often really. When speaking, the emphasis is on the verb. |
Just can also mean only (a focusing adverb expresses limitation). When speaking, the emphasis is on just. |
Just can also mean recently. When speaking, the emphasis is on the verb — visited, mailed. |
Just can also mean exactly. |
We just LOVE Hawaii. (really — truly) |
We just love Hawaii but not Oahu. (only) |
We have just VISITED Hawaii (recently) |
Hawaii is just what we like. (exactly) |
We just HATE standing in line at the post office. (really — truly) |
We just mailed the stamped envelopes. The unstamped ones are still here. (only) |
We just MAILED the stamped envelopes. (recently) |
It's just four o'clock. The post office is closed. |
This car just takes off! (In my opinion, it's fast) |
This car just needs a little gas. (only) |
This car has just been serviced. (recently) |
It's just the car I want. (exactly) |
Related pages: Just / Recently | Indeed / Even
| FOCUSING ADVERB | CONJUNCTION | CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB |
|---|---|---|
Also is commonly used as a focusing adverb to emphasize the addition of information to what has already been mentioned. |
Also, as a conjunction, is used in place of and… also. (This use is considered informal by some native speakers.) |
Also, as a conjunctive adverb or transition word, is used in place of Additionally or Moreover. (This use is considered informal by some native speakers.) |
Besides being a phone, it is also a music player. |
It's a phone, also a music player. and also |
It's a phone. Also, it's a music player. Additionally |
Along with a new touchscreen, it will also have a keyboard. |
It will have a touchscreen, also a keyboard. and also |
It will have a touchscreen. Also, it will feature a touch screen |
Also is not used to talk about surprising extremes. ( e.g. Everyone helped with the packing — even the dog! not —also the dog!) — (Swan 189.3)
Pop-Q "Also"
| FOCUSING ADEVERB | SUBJECT | AUXILIARY | VERB –plain form | OBJECT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Also / Only / Even |
Mike |
|
likes |
the new features. |
|
Mike |
will |
use |
the new features. |
Mike |
is |
enjoying |
the new features. |
|
|
Mike |
has been |
using |
the new features. |
| SUBJECT | AUXILIARY | FOCUSING ADVERB | VERB –plain form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mike |
|
also / mostly / only / even |
loves |
the new features. |
Mike |
can |
also / mostly / only / even |
use |
the new features. |
Mike |
is |
also / mostly / only / even |
enjoying |
the new features. |
Mike |
|
also / mostly / only / even |
is enjoying aux. + verb |
the new features. |
Mike |
has |
also / mostly / only / even |
been using |
the new features. |
Mike |
has been |
also / mostly / only / even |
using |
the new features |
Mike |
is |
also / mostly / only / even |
|
here today. |
| SUBJECT | VERB | FOCUSING ADVERB | COMPLEMENT | FOCUSING ADVERB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mike |
has been using |
mostly / only / even |
the new features. |
Modifies the object noun |
Mike |
likes |
|
the new features |
as well. Modifies the verb + object. |
Mike |
will use |
|
the new features |
too. Modifies the verb + object. |
Mike |
is |
|
here today
|
– only / *also!
|
complement – a word, phrase or clause which is necessary in a sentence to complete its meaning
*Used as an afterthought to the sentence; modifies the verb + complement.
Advanced
| TRADITIONAL GRAMMAR | LINGUISTIC DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
Paired conjunctions: "The same grammatical form should follow each part of the paired conjunctions. " — Azar (UUEG 16-3) |
Current grammar analyzes words such as also and only as focusing adverbs. They are distinguished from other adverbs in that they modify a wide range of constituent parts: noun phrase, verb phrase, prepositional phrase, adjective phrase, adverb phrase, or a whole clause. Focusing adverbs can be restrictive or additive, and they can include negation (not only). (CaGEL 6.7.3) |
|
"These adverbs 'point to' one part of a clause." (Swan 24.6) |
|
In Quirk & Greenbaum (1985) words such as also and only were called focusing subjuncts with subdivisions: restrictives and additives. (CoGEL 8.116) |

anxiety (n.) – the feeling of being very worried about something
depression (n.) – a medical condition that makes you very unhappy and anxious and often prevents you from living a normal life
self-esteem (n.) – the feeling of being satisfied with your own abilities, and that you deserve to be liked or respected