Adverbs as short responses (definitely, certainly)

Attitude and viewpoint

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:

Yeah, probably.

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:

Yeah, possibly.

A:

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

B:

Precisely.

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

A:

Do you not like chocolate?

B:

No, not 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:

Yes, very/extremely/highly.

See also:

Discourse markers as responses

Adverbs

Adverbs: types

• 教练员
• 教练员园地
• 教练员委员会
• 教练员守则
• 教练员管理
• 教练员素质
• 教练员考核制度
• 教练员与运动员
• 教练员行为分析系统
• 教练员行为评定量表
• 教练员训练班
• 教练委员会
• 教练会
• 教练机
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• 教练池
• 教练滑翔机
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• 教练组
• 教练与运动员相互作用
• 教练行为模式
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• 王丽萍
• 王义夫
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• 王军霞
• 王励勤
• 王勇
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