Focusing Adverbs

What are Focusing Adverbs?

Focusing Adverbs are used to "draw attention" or "highlight" a particular part of a clause.

Some examples include:

too, as well, at least, also, additionally, simply, merely, etc.

examples:

          "I might as well attend the party."

The phrase “as well” is a Focusing Adverb, and it is used to highlight the thought or part of the sentence that "I might go to the party, too".

           "She is also smart."

The word “also” is a Focusing Adverb, and it is used to emphasize that the subject (she) has that  "smart" attribute too.

Adverbs According To Their Functions

There are groups of Focusing Adverbs according to their uses. The common ones are the following:

Focusing Adverbs for adding information

also

as well

too

additionally

example:

           "Rod is coming to the camp, and Ryko is coming too."

Focusing Adverbs for limiting information

When there is a need to emphasize information that presents or shows limits, the following focusing adverbs are used.

• precisely

• purely

• simply

• solely

• alone

• exactly

• exclusively

• just

• merely

• not only

• only

• but

example:

       “Just Rod is coming to the camp.”

Meaning: Rod is coming to the camp but is not bringing a friend or anyone else.

Focusing Adverbs for partially limiting information

There will be times when there is a need to emphasize information that isn’t completely limited,

but rather partially limited. For that purpose, the following focusing adverbs can be used.

• chiefly

• especially

• mainly

• mostly

• notably

• particularly

• in particular

• predominantly

• primarily

• at least

• for the most part

• by and large

example:

       “She wants everybody to come to the wedding, especially Ariadna.”

Meaning: She wants everybody to come to the wedding, but she wants Ariadna to come the most.