Adverbs of opinion and observation in English
Sign up for free to get all information about private lessons and our available group courses (A1, A2, B2, B2, C1, C2)
Sign up for freeIn this chapter the adverbs of opinion and observation will be explained. They give information about an opinion about an action or an observation of an action.
Lesson outline
Hide- 1.What are adverbs of opinions and observations?
- 1.1.Adverbs of opinion and observation examples:
- 2.Placement of adverbs of opinion and observation
- 3.An alphabetical list of adverbs of opinion and observation
- 4.Exercises
- 4.1.Exercise adverbs of opinion and observation in English
- 4.2.Practice the adverbs of opinion and observation in English
What are adverbs of opinions and observations?
Adverbs of opinion and observation inform us about an opinion about an action or an observation of an action.
The adverbs of observation are similar to the adverbs of manner, because they both give information about how something is carried out.
Have a question?
Take online language lessons with a professional teacher
- Native & verified teachers
- Free trial lesson
- Learning materials included
Lucila B. 
Abigail F. 
Alessandra C. 
Somnath R. 
Samuela D.
María C.
Rocío M.
Lena W. 
Taneel F. 
Abdessamad B.
Lucila B.
Abigail F.
Alessandra C.
Somnath R.
Samuela D.
María C.
Rocío M.
Lena W.
Adverbs of opinion and observation examples:
- Surely she broke the cup, but she doesn't want to tell her father.
- Personally, we think you should quit your job.
- Technically, I didn't do anything wrong.
Placement of adverbs of opinion and observation
1) Adverbs of opinion are usually placed at the beginning of the sentence, then they are separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. Rarely they are placed at the end.
2) Adverbs of observation are usually placed before the main verb. If the main verb is 'to be' the adverbs of observation can be placed after the main verb.
An alphabetical list of adverbs of opinion and observation
The following table shows a list of common adverbs of opinion and observation.
| Adverb | Example |
|---|---|
| Actually | Actually, I still wanted to use that piece of paper. |
| Basically | I have basically nothing to do all day. |
| Bravely | She bravely went up to the criminals. |
| Carelessly | This essay is very carelessly written. |
| Cleverly | They cleverly hid the present. |
| Clearly | Clearly he did not understand what I told him. |
| Effectively | Effectively, they did not do much at work today. |
| Foolishly | She foolishly believed him. |
| Fortunately | Fortunately I brought my sweater, because it is getting colder. |
| Generously | He generously offered his coat to her. |
| Kindly | She smiled kindly to the little children. |
| Logically | Logically we would meet again after tonight. |
| Luckily | Luckily Martina kept her wallet in a safe. |
| Naturally | Naturally I would say: 'go for it'. |
| Personally | Personally, I would not wear that for going out. |
| Pleasantly | She was pleasantly surprised by the flowers she found on her desk. |
| Practically | They are practically never home. |
| Presumably | Presumably, he speaks Chinese. |
| Rudely | You rudely interrupted the teacher yesterday. |
| Seriously | Seriously, is that all you can say? |
| Surely | Surely, we would understand. |
| Technically | Technically she was Dutch, but everyone assumed she was German because of her accent. |
| Theoretically | Theoretically I could stop working right now. |
Test your knowledge of the adverbs of opinion and observation in English with the exercises below.
Exercises
- Exercise adverbs of opinion and observation in English
- Practice the adverbs of opinion and observation in English
Exercise adverbs of opinion and observation in English
Mark all the adverbs of opinion and observation in the following sentences.
Actually, I still wanted to eat that piece of bread, but my brother threw it away.
Luckily we didn't miss the last bus, otherwise we would have to wait for another hour.
They are always welcomed kindly in that quite expensive hotel in Barcelona.
I have basically nothing interesting to do today.
He answered the difficult question clevery and he seems very smart.
You replied very rudely when your mother asked you a simple question.
Seriously Patricia should see a docter, because she is not feeling so well.
Unfortunately, we do not see our relatives in Germany that often.
Logically a piece of ice melts when it gets too hot.
The teacher explained the difficult math problems clearly to his class.
Correct!
Incorrect!
Missed!
Practice the adverbs of opinion and observation in English
Choose the adverb of opinion and observation between brackets that fits the sentence best.
Example:
... he did not understand what I told him. (kindly / clearly)
Clearly he did not understand what I told him. (kindly / clearly)
She smiled at the playing little children. (personally / kindly)
I do not see my friends from high school anymore and I miss them sometimes. (unfortunately / luckily)
He can not find his keys, but they should be in his pocket. (bravely / theoretically)
I would not have bought that, but everybody has a different taste in clothes. (fortunately / personally)
The police officer went up to the criminals and told them to stop. (pleasantly / bravely)
we brought sweaters to the beach, because it is getting colder now. (unfortunately / fortunately)
she didn't study enough for the test, because she failed it. (clearly / basically)
we would understand if you want to quit your job, because you always tell us that you don't like it. (surely / carelessly)
Her parents are never home, because they are always working. (practically / foolishly)
We thought she was coming to the party, but she cancelled last minute. (seriously / luckily)
Exercises
- Exercise adverbs of opinion and observation in English
- Practice the adverbs of opinion and observation in English
Exercise adverbs of opinion and observation in English
Mark all the adverbs of opinion and observation in the following sentences.
Actually, I still wanted to eat that piece of bread, but my brother threw it away.
Luckily we didn't miss the last bus, otherwise we would have to wait for another hour.
They are always welcomed kindly in that quite expensive hotel in Barcelona.
I have basically nothing interesting to do today.
He answered the difficult question clevery and he seems very smart.
You replied very rudely when your mother asked you a simple question.
Seriously Patricia should see a docter, because she is not feeling so well.
Unfortunately, we do not see our relatives in Germany that often.
Logically a piece of ice melts when it gets too hot.
The teacher explained the difficult math problems clearly to his class.
Correct!
Incorrect!
Missed!
Practice the adverbs of opinion and observation in English
Choose the adverb of opinion and observation between brackets that fits the sentence best.
Example:
... he did not understand what I told him. (kindly / clearly)
Clearly he did not understand what I told him. (kindly / clearly)
She smiled at the playing little children. (personally / kindly)
I do not see my friends from high school anymore and I miss them sometimes. (unfortunately / luckily)
He can not find his keys, but they should be in his pocket. (bravely / theoretically)
I would not have bought that, but everybody has a different taste in clothes. (fortunately / personally)
The police officer went up to the criminals and told them to stop. (pleasantly / bravely)
we brought sweaters to the beach, because it is getting colder now. (unfortunately / fortunately)
she didn't study enough for the test, because she failed it. (clearly / basically)
we would understand if you want to quit your job, because you always tell us that you don't like it. (surely / carelessly)
Her parents are never home, because they are always working. (practically / foolishly)
We thought she was coming to the party, but she cancelled last minute. (seriously / luckily)