Would you like a short way to express your feelings or opinions about a subject?
Actually, there is a way! You can use adverbs of opinion to quickly express your your feelings about a subject while also sounding natural!
WHY USE THEM?
Look at the adverb of opinion actually for example. What does it mean? Well, you can use actually when you want to emphasize that something is true or a fact.
In the example above, I said, "Actually, there is a way!" which is a much shorter version of:
The truth about this situation is that there is a way!
Let me tell you the truth about this situation, there is a way!
I'm going to tell you the truth about this situation which is that there is a way!
And that, my friends, is why adverbs of opinion, like "actually," are very useful and effective when trying to communicate in English.
HOW DO I USE THEM?
One simple thing to remember about adverbs of opinion is that:
they are usually placed at the beginning of the sentence, followed by a comma when writing, or a short pause when speaking. You might see them at the end of a sentence but this is rare.
So, are you ready? Let's look at seven common adverbs of opinion that will help you to express yourself more clearly in English!
Example | Meaning |
Obviously, Novak Djokovic is one of the best tennis players in the world, just look at his winning record! | It's clear and understood that, Novak Djokovic is one of the best tennis players in the world, just look at his winning record! |
Unfortunately, this restaurant doesn't have any vegetarian food and my husband is a vegetarian. | It's a bad thing, this restaurant doesn't have any vegetarian food and my husband is a vegetarian. |
Hopefully, we'll be able to go on holiday next month! | I really want and hope that, we'll be able to go on holiday next month! |
Personally, I don't like make up on women. I prefer a natural look. | It's only my opinion and I know people thing differently but, I don't like make up on women. I prefer a natural look. |
Apparently, there aren't any more white rhinos left in the wild. | I heard this but I'm not sure if its true, there aren't any more white rhinos left in the wild. |
Fortunately, none of our neighbours speak English, so I have a lot of opportunities to speak Serbian! | It's a good thing that, none of our neighbours speak English, so I have a lot of opportunities to speak Serbian! |
âSurprisingly, the vegan burger I ate yesterday tasted just like real meat! | âThis was very surprising for me, the vegan burger I ate yesterday tasted just like real meat! |
Typically, I wake up quite early during the week because I work everyday. | It's normal that I wake up quite early during the week because I work everyday. |
Supposedly, my colleague was fired because he couldn't finish his projects on time. | I think this is what happened but I'm not sure, my colleague was fired because he couldn't finish his projects on time. |
1. Obviously
used to express that something is easily understood, or very clear
Example:
Obviously, Novak Djokovic is one of the best tennis players in the world, just look at his winning record!
It is very clear that Novak Djokovic is one of the best tennis players in the world, just look at his winning record.
2. Unfortunately
used to express that something bad or unlucky has happened
Example:
Unfortunately, this restaurant doesn't have any vegetarian food and my husband is a vegetarian.
It's not a good thing for us that this restaurant doesn't have any vegetarian food because my husband is a vegetarian.
3. Hopefully
used to express that you want something to happen
Example:
Hopefully, I'll be able to go on holiday this summer!
I want to go on holiday this summer and I hope that it will happen!
4. Personally
used to say what your personal opinion is about a subject
Example:
Personally, I don't like make-up on women, I prefer a natural look.
This is only my opinion and I know other people think differently, but I don't like make-up on women, I prefer a natural look.
5. Apparently
used when you want to share information that you heard but you aren't sure if it's true
Example:
Apparently, there aren't any more white rhinos left in the wild.
I heard that there aren't any more white rhinos left in the wild but I'm not completely sure if this is the truth.
6. Fortunately / Luckily
used to express that something good or lucky has happened
Example:
Fortunately, none of our neighbors speak English, so I have a lot of opportunities to speak Serbian!
It's a good thing that my neighbours don't speak English because I'm trying to learn Serbian and I have opportunities to practice with them!
7. Surprisingly
used to express that something is a surprise
Example:
Surprisingly, the vegan burger I ate yesterday tasted just like real meat!
I was really surprised yesterday because the vegan burger I ate tasted just like real meat!
Well, that's our list but there are plenty more adverbs of opinion, and even other types of adverbs (time and manner for example). We'll help you out with those in another post!
For now, it's your turn - try using some of these adverbs of opinion in the comments section!
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