Focus adjuncts¶
Focus Adjunct |
Lexical Category |
Function |
Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
even |
Adverb |
Marks surprising or extreme focus; optional scope |
John even passed the exam. |
only |
Adverb |
Restricts focus; optional emphasis |
John passed the exam only. |
also |
Adverb |
Marks inclusion; can apply to constituent or clause |
Alice came to the party also. |
too |
Adverb |
Marks addition or parallel focus |
Bob came too. |
particularly |
Adverb |
Highlights noteworthy constituent |
I liked the ending particularly. |
above all |
Adverbial phrase |
Signals principal focus of the clause |
Above all, we must stay calm. |
chiefly |
Adverb |
Marks the main or dominant element |
The event was attended chiefly by students. |
largely |
Adverb |
Restricts focus to predominant element |
The work was largely completed. |
solely |
Adverb |
Restrictive focus; optional |
The decision was made solely by the manager. |
primarily |
Adverb |
Highlights main focus |
The discussion was primarily about grammar. |
fortunately |
Adverb |
Marks speaker evaluation or attitude |
Fortunately, we arrived on time. |
frankly |
Adverb |
Marks speaker evaluation or attitude |
Frankly, I don’t agree. |