Common sentence adverbs::

One of the most overlooked ways to improve the sound of fluency is the use of sentence adverbs. Lets look at an example. In sentence 1, the speaker does not use a sentence adverb. In sentence 2, the speaker does use a sentence adverb. Example 1: A: He is the owner of the company. No, I mean he is the president of the company. (a little awkward) B: He is the owner of the company. Actually, he is the president of the company. (more natural). Example 2: A: Im not disappointed with the result. No, Im happy. B: Im not disappointed with the result. In fact, Im happy. Sentence adverbs are adverbs that describe the whole sentence: (Not a sentence adverb): I quickly ran to the stadium (normal) Quickly, I ran to the stadium (less common) So quickly would not be called a sentence adverb. I walked to the game; unfortunately, my feet hurt after. Unfortunately would be seen as a sentence adverb because it describes the whole sentence and sounds normal prior to the main clause. List of common sentence adverbs: Actually Maybe Personally In fact Perhaps Honestly Unfortunately Obviously Hopefully Fortunately Oddly enough Evidently Supposedly Surprisingly Of course

Look at the following sentences and insert the word that you think makes the most sense (there may be more than one answer for each): 1. My grandparents are Japanese; ______________, my grandpa was a manager at the first Toyota factory.

2. The house is nice, but _______________, I hate the backyard. 3. Is he coming home soon; _______________, he brings back the milk I asked for. 4. John decided to take the job; _____________, he feels that he should be paid more money. What a cocky son of a bitch. 5. Are you going to the concert? ____________, Paul McCartney will make a guest appearance but nothings been confirmed. Its just what someone told me. 6. If you dont like it here; ___________, you should leave. 7. He gained over 30 kilos in the last year; _____________, he says that hes never felt better. 8. A) I was talking to Frank yesterday and he told me that he won a new car. B) How does he feel? A) Well, _____________ hes pretty excited, but ____________, his wife isnt.

Using the following sentence adverbs:

IN FACT: When giving greater detail

Example: People arent surprised when they discover politicians lie. In fact, they expect it to happen. Example 2: Hes a very popular singer in my country. In fact, he has been the top selling musician three years in a row. Use in fact to describe the following pieces of information. Tokyo has ten million people. It is a big city. Tokyo ________________________________________________________________________ Canada is the second largest country in the world. It has a lot of land. Canada _______________________________________________________________________ Finish the following sentences using in fact: You can make up facts. I really like _____________________________________________________________________ _________ is dangerous. ______________________________________________________ My country ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

ACTUALLY: used to correct yourself or others. Or it can be used to support someone in agreement. Example: Hes a loud person. Actually, hes more aggressive than loud. Example 2: Dale: I won an award as best teacher in 2007. Alice: Actually, our school won an award for having the best teachers in 2007. Note: Actually, can be seen as a little rude at certain times when correcting people. Example 3: Dale: I won an award as best teacher in 2007. Alice: Actually, our school won an award for having the best teachers in 2007. Tom: Actually, Dales rightthe school did win an award, but Dale also won a personal awarddont you remember? Correct me: Example: A) Japan is definitely the biggest country in Asia. B) Actually, Im not sure if thats right. In fact, I think China is the biggest country in Asia Biggest country in Asia: China Biggest Country in North America: America Biggest Country in Western Europe: Germany Biggest Country in Africa: Nigeria Biggest Country in South America: Brazil

ODDLY ENOUGH/SURPRISINGLY: Lets look at a couple examples of how oddly enough is used in news reports: Example 1: During World War II, tens of thousands of Jews fleeing Nazi Germany were welcomed in China. Yet, oddly enough, Hitler is widely respected in China today not for perpetrating the Holocaust but for
being a strong leader who could rally the German nation.

Example 2: In the past week, gas prices have jumped significantly. But oddly enough, the price of oil has hit record lows. Finish the following sentences with oddly enough: Mad cow disease has been on the rise. Beef sales are up.

___________________________________________________________________________ My girlfriend broke up with me. She calls me more than ever. ____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________. But, oddly enough, theres less water for people to drink. Toyota has sold more cars this year than any other year. _____________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Give me 2 of your own sentences:

EVIDENTLY: I discovered this reason/this fact. Often shows frustration.

Example: Jim broke his computer; evidently, he thought it was a good idea to take it on a horseback ride. Did Jim break his computer? _________________ How did he break it? ______________________ How does the person talking feel about Jims decision? _____________________ Example: Sayaka was teaching a client how to sing. She kept on saying, use your vocal cords. The student finally said, My vocal cords are damaged from a past accident. Sayaka talks about it later. Sayaka: He cant sing very well; evidently, his vocal cords were damaged in an accident. ______________, they were so badly damaged that the doctor thought he would never talk again. Finish the following sentences: My student came late to class. She doesnt value my time. My _____________________________________________________________________ I got sick after eating the fish. Later, I discovered it was rotten. I ________________________________________________________________

SUPPOSEDLY: This may be true/rumor has it

Lets look at some examples from the news:
If you're wondering which lucky lady will get to be Jolie's maid-of-honor She supposedly selected her brother to serve as her maid-of-honor.

Beijing says the islands belong to China. Tokyo says the islands belong to Japan. Guess what? The island is supposedly loaded with hydrocarbons. Hence, the fight over this tiny piece of property. Tell me false/real rumors about the following things using supposedly.

Your president/ Prime minister

Michael Jackson McDonalds

Coca Cola

OF COURSE: used a sentence adverb to give the other side of the argument/differing side
Example: If Im able to get a ticket, Ill be so stoked; of course, if I dont get a ticket, Ill be pretty choked. Example 2: Wine is only 4 bucks a glass at the restaurant; of course, their cheapest appetizer is $20. Create sentences with the following situations: Apple has great products. They practice a modern form of slave labour. Hes a moral man. He is addicted to heroin. Hes a great politician. He was arrested for drunk driving ten years ago. Shes a wonderful girl __________________________________________________ He has a lot of potential as a singer _____________________________________________ Own situation ______________________________________________________________

Fill in the blanks in the following conversation: Lets look at the conversation between Sven and Hiroki: Oddly enough Supposedly In fact Of course

Sven: So, uh, youre from Tokyo right? Hiroki: Yep Sven: I heard Tokyo is pretty safe. ____________, theres SOME crime, but I mean compared to the rest of the world. Hiroki: Well, I was reading a, uh, article and it said Tokyo is the third safest city in the world. ____________, it said that it is even safer than Vancouver. Sven: Im not surprised. ____________, there are a lot of gangs in Vancouver. Hiroki: Thats probably true, but _______________, Ive never heard a person from Vancouver even talk about gangs.