Adverbs as short responses

Created by Tung NGUYEN on 2016-02-06 23:41:33
Last modified on 2016-02-06 23:41:33

(definitelycertainly)

from English Grammar Today

Attitude and viewpoint

Spoken English:

We often use some adverbs in speaking as short responses to show attitude or viewpoint:

A:

You know DVDs? Can you record onto them?

B:

Absolutely.

A:

Dr Kahn is very nice. He’s very interested in his patients.

B:

Oh, do you think so?

A:

Definitely.

A:

There might be a film on at 2 pm that we could watch.

B:

Yeahprobably.

A:

Mandy isn’t going because she just doesn’t like Rick.

B:

Exactly.

A:

Maybe she bought two of the same sweaters in case something happened to one.

B:

Yeahpossibly.

A:

It should be called ‘English Test’ not ‘Test of English’.

B:

Precisely.

Spoken English:

We often use not really in this way to soften a no-answer:

A:

Do you not like chocolate?

B:

Nonot really.

Replies to requests

We use certainly and of course typically as a reply to a request for a service or favour:

A:

Can I have the bill please?

B:

Certainly.

[in a clothes shop]

A:

Is it OK if I try these on?

B:

Of course.

Intensifying adverbs

We often use adverbs that make the meaning stronger (very, extremely, really) as a short response:

A:

He’s an intelligent dog, isn’t he?

B:

Yesvery/extremely/highly.

(“Adverbs as short responses ( definitely, certainly )” from English Grammar Today © Cambridge University Press.)

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