Key adverbs This unit deals with just some of the adverbs that are particularly frequent in an academic context. You will find more in other units throughout this book. Adverbs that compare adverb ‘meaning example ‘comparatively? in comparison with something else | Our sample was relatively/ relatively comparatively smal ‘especiallyparticularly | more than usual The process was not especially! particularly difficult. specially ‘more than usual (spoken English onl) | The exam was specially hard this year. for a specific purpose We used specially designed equipment. somewhat (opposite: | (slightly formal) a litte, slighty When we tested younger boys, we considerably) obtained somewhaticonsiderably different results. primarily mainly Amir is primarily interested in bio-physics. mostlyfargely “almost completely (but not totally so) | The research was largelyimostly successful, directly (opposite: | without anything else being involved | The illess is (in)directly linked to poor indirectly) housing. Adverbs that relate to numbers or time There are approximately 20 varieties of bird in this species. (roughly, about] There are precisely 48 different managerial posts in the company. [exactly] Interviewees frequently misunderstood one of the questions. [often] We eventually obtained the results we were hoping for. {in the end, after some time] Ultimately we plan to repeat the experiment. (finally, after other things have been completed] Adverbs that relate to how things are stated Ps latest article essentially’ Giffers from his earlier work in that itis explicitly® critical of the | srnment. Generally’, his disapproval of their policies was only conveyed implicitly‘ in his svious writing, but here he specifically condemns their handling of a number of issues. ” referring to its main characteristics; also basically ? openly 3 usually, also on the whole * not directly, suggested or implied rather than stated Adverbs that restrict or limit merely = exactly and nothing more: The medication will merely make the symptoms bearable; it will not cure the disea simply Note that simply can have different meanings. To put it simply, the risks of this approach would seem to outweigh its advantages. (plainly) The book presents difficult ideas simply, in a way appropriate for the layman. [easily; someone who isn’t a specialist in the field) The exam results were simply dreadful. [absolutely, without doubt] hardly ever = almost never: The tribe has hardly ever had contact with the outside world, Eventually means ‘in the end’. Ie does not mean ‘perhaps/possbly’. A We will perhaps/possibly (NOT eventualh) discover life on other planets in the future. Eventually {in the end]. we were able to interview all 20 children involved in the test. 18 Academic Vocabulary in Use5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Exercises Look at A and B. Explain the difference between the sentences in each pair. 1 Heinrich’s experiments were mostly successful. Heinrich’s experiments were most successful. 2 The results were somewhat surprising given the circumstances. The results were especially surprising given the circumstances. 3 First-year students are directly affected by the new rules relating to tuition fees. First-year students are particularly affected by the new rules relating to tuition fees. 4 The study is primarily concerned with urban alienation. The study is ultimately concerned with urban alienation. 5 The team eventually obtained unpredicted results. The team frequently obtained unpredicted results. Choose the more appropriate adverb from the options. What you are saying is essentially / merely true. To put it basically / simply, there is specially / basically no significant difference between the two writers’ theories. However, one of them writes in a simply / precisely dreadful style while the other has eventually / possibly a more impressive style than any other contemporary scientist. ‘Change the sentences using adverbs which mean the opposite of the underlined ones. 1 There were roughly 350 people living in the village in 1958. 2 Parents seldom complained that the school authorities failed to inform them of changes. 3 We investigated the problem and i found some small errors in the calculations. 4 The temperature was exactly half a degree lower than the average. 5 Singh (1998) is explicitly critical of existing theories of economic growth. 6 Soil erosion is specifically caused by water or wind. 7 Senior citizens almost always use the internet to communicate with one another. 8 The disease is directly linked to environmental factors. Underline the adverbs in these texts. Then answer the questions. Marine conservationists are currently attempting | [Scientists have recently discovered that ants to save the world’s coral reefs. One plan is to ‘an remember how many steps they have literally glue the damaged reefs back together, taken. By carefully shortening or lengthening, using coral artificially raised in underwater the legs of ants, the team observed that labs, Reefs are increasingly under attack from short-legged ants apparently became lost and human activity as well as from events occurring could not easily find their way home to the naturally, such as hurricanes and tsunamis. ae ee ane eee lees = typcally . Arrecent UN report warns that 30% of the BE if oS a es eve ie ea rte were also temporarily unable to find the nest. destroyed or are severely damaged, It seems ants can definitely count their steps. 1 Which adverb means ‘in the same way’? 2 Find two pairs of adverbs that mean the opposite of each other. 3 Which adverb means the opposite of ‘a long time ago’? 4 Which adverb means ‘more and more’? 5 Which adverb could be substituted by seriously? 6 Which adverb means “for a limited time”? Find an article of interest to you in your discipline and underline all the key adverbs. Then check ‘that you understand their meaning. ‘Academic Vocabulary in Use 19