Frankly, Financially, Wisely: What Does the Adverb Comment On?

← Grammar Hub
C1On my own or with a tutor

Frankly, Financially, Wisely: What Does the Adverb Comment On?

By the end: I can show whether an adverb frames my statement, limits its domain or evaluates an action.

Created by , British English teacher.

I’m studying:

Try the activities, then check your answers.

Choose a short recording.

Frame the statement

Frankly and similar expressions can comment on how the speaker presents the message, rather than how the reported action happened.

Frankly, the ending disappointed me.

Honestly, I don’t remember the date.

The woman frankly explains that a plan needs more work, using one unfinished model and a plan sheet. Denis listens with receptive, thoughtful eyes. Her frank tone belongs to how she speaks, not a careless way the plan was built.
Frankly, the plan needs work.Frankly frames the speaker’s manner of speaking, not how the plan was made.

Limit the domain

A domain adverb says in what respect a judgement applies. It need not evaluate every aspect of the situation.

Technically, the device works.

Visually, the room is impressive.

Evaluate an action or its manner

Compare an evaluation of a choice with a description of how an action was performed. Use a fuller paraphrase when the intended scope is unclear.

Wisely, she waited for a reply.

She spoke wisely about the problem.

Evaluate the decision or describe the speaking

The choice is evaluatedWisely, she waited for a reply.

The speaker judges the decision to wait sensible.

The speaking is describedShe spoke wisely about the problem.

The judgement concerns the speaking or the advice it contains.

Paraphrases expose the intended scope: It was wise of her to wait; her advice about the problem was wise. These statements evaluate different things. A claim about one action does not automatically assess every action or the person as a whole.
Denis and the same woman calmly examine a budget sheet beside a calculator, discussing financial soundness. Keep the unfinished model partly visible to avoid implying that every other aspect of the plan is successful. No approval stamp or trophy.
Financially, the plan is sound.The judgement concerns finances, not necessarily every aspect of the plan.

Guided practice

Say or write your answer first. Compare form and meaning with the model.

1. Paraphrase: Frankly, I disagree.

Compare a model and explanation

To be frank, I disagree.

This frames the speaker’s statement.

2. Paraphrase: Technically, the solution works.

Compare a model and explanation

It works from a technical point of view.

It does not establish success in every respect.

3. Separate domains: The room looks good but is noisy.

Compare a model and explanation

Visually, the room is attractive, but acoustically it is poor.

Equivalent explicit descriptions are acceptable.

4. Explain: Wisely, she checked the figures.

Compare a model and explanation

The speaker judges her decision to check to be wise.

This need not describe the detailed manner of checking.

5. Explain: She answered honestly.

Compare a model and explanation

Her answer was truthful or given in an honest manner.

This differs from a speaker’s Honestly, I don’t know.

6. Rewrite to avoid scope uncertainty: Cleverly, he described the trap. Intended: his explanation was clever.

Compare a model and explanation

He gave a clever explanation of the trap.

Make the intended evaluation explicit.

7. Does Financially, the plan is manageable establish that it is technically possible?

Compare a model and explanation

No.

Financial feasibility does not establish every other domain.

8. Give two versions: an honest admission of forgetting; a report that someone else answered honestly.

Compare a model and explanation

Honestly, I forgot. She answered honestly.

Keep the current speaker’s framing distinct from the reported person’s behaviour.

A short conversation

Listen first, then open the transcript when useful.

Open the conversation transcript

A: Does the plan work?

B: Technically, yes, but practically it is difficult.

A: So you don’t recommend it?

B: Frankly, I think we need a simpler version.

Listening checks

Listen to each extract or open its transcript. These three questions have a separate score.

1. What is praised?
Read the listening transcript

Visually, the design is impressive. It is difficult to use, though.

2. Which honesty claim is established about his answer?
Read the listening transcript

Honestly, I don’t remember whether he answered honestly.

3. What is evaluated as wise?
Read the listening transcript

Wisely, Nina waited until she had more information.

Mastery quiz

Choose the best answer for each situation. The score is out of eight.

1. Frankly, I dislike it primarily frames what?
2. Technically, it works establishes what?
3. Choose an explicit domain limit.
4. She answered honestly primarily describes what?
5. Choose the clearest paraphrase of Wisely, he waited.
6. Does moving an adverb always produce one fixed, context-free meaning?
7. Choose wording limited to appearance.
8. An ambiguous adverb placement causes confusion. What is a useful repair?

Use it in your own words

Speaking 1

Give one speaker-framing statement and one action-manner statement.

Reveal a possible response

Frankly, I disagree. She explained her disagreement honestly.

Success check: Identify what each adverb comments on.

Speaking 2

Evaluate a fictional design in two different respects.

Reveal a possible response

Visually, it is attractive. Technically, it is unreliable.

Success check: Do not turn success in one domain into overall success.

Put it all together

Discuss a fictional plan using a domain limit, a comment on your own statement and an evaluation of a decision.

Reveal a possible response

Practically, the plan is difficult. Frankly, I prefer the simpler option. Wisely, the team decided to test both before choosing.

Success check: Make the scope of each adverb clear.

Take it with you

I can show whether an adverb frames my statement, limits its domain or evaluates an action.

Explore the Grammar Hub