Focus Adverbs
Focusing adverbs point to a particular part of a clause. Most common examples are: also, just, even, only, mainly, mostly, either, neither etc.
- John and Martin were at the party. Sam was also present.
- I will also go.
- She has just gone out.
- He cannot even write his own name.
- He doesn’t remember even his name.
- Not even his parents supported him when he was in trouble.
- She didn’t even say Hi.
- I only gave him a slight push.
- Only my family stood by me when I was in trouble.
- I bought only some vegetables.
- She not only owns a fleet of cars; she owns some apartments too.
The meaning of a sentence often depends on the position of the focusing adverbs. Study the examples given below.
Compare:
- I bought only a laptop. (= I didn’t buy anything else.)
- I only bought a laptop. (= I didn’t do anything else.)
- Only I bought a laptop. (Nobody else bought a laptop.)
See also
