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Adverbs for Focus

Drawing attention to information

Guide speaking
 

 

What is a Focusing Adverb?
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 usModifies 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 usModifies 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.
 

 

 

Focus Adverb List
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)

 

 

 

Focusing Adverbs

Their Effect in a Sentence

mobile/cel phone

 

 

 

 

With and Without — the focusing-adverb effect
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]

 

 

 

Adverbs

Focusing on Parts of a Sentence

flip flops

 

 

 

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.


Only
you would wear flip flops to a formal dinner.


You should only wear flip flops to a beach party.


After foot surgery, I could wear only flip flops.

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

 

 

 

Just

Other Meanings

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Also

Other Functions

 

 

 

Also — other possibly confusing uses
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) 
Solution - lightbulbPop-Q "Also"

 

 

 

 

Adverbs for Focus

Sentence Placement

 

 

 

Subject Modifier
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.
 

 

Verb Modifier
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. 

 

 

Verb Complement Modifier 
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.

 

 

 

 

Grammar Notes

Traditional Grammar and Linguistic Description

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)

 

 

 

Practice

Tracy Toon Watch

Dick Tracy Watch

 

 

 

 

  1. Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence. 
  2. Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button.

 

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.
you 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practice 2

Facebook Anxiety

 

 

 

  1. Select the options that best complete the paragraph.
  2. Compare your responses by clicking the "check" button.
11–20
         
       
 

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