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.