Introductory words: examples of sentences

Introductory words play a special role in the language. Examples of them are quite numerous. They can be represented by different parts of speech. These constructions have one unshakable rule - they are not members of the sentence, but only complicate it, they make some explanations for the listener or the reader. We will analyze this syntactical phenomenon, commas at the opening word, examples of setting other punctuation marks (dashes).

Definition of concept

The purpose of the introductory words is to focus attention on the speech situation, to give an assessment, expressive or modal. The shades of the values may be different (we'll talk about them below).

Introductory words, examples of which will be discussed, stand "apart" from the meaning of the whole sentence as a whole. That is, if they are excluded from the context, the content will not be affected. Thus, these constructions are not members of the sentence and are necessarily separated not only by punctuation marks, but also intonationally.

Not only one lexeme introductory words are presented: examples of phrases or sentences are not uncommon. Yesterday - I do not know why - I was terribly unlucky . The introductory construction is expressed by the phrase I do not know why . As the long-time inhabitants of the house say, earlier in this well there was pure water. The first part before the comma is an introductory sentence with the meaning of a reference to the source of the statement.

Grammatical introductory words are represented very broadly: they are nouns ( fortunately ), and short adjectives, or they are in an excellent degree ( most importantly, at fault ), adverbs (of course, unconditionally), and verbs in various forms ( it seems, Say, know ), and pronouns ( meanwhile ), word combinations and various types of sentences ( we wrote about them above ).

Key values: confidence / uncertainty

Let's analyze the shades of values that the introductory words transmit. Examples will be given for each group. To express confidence or uncertainty, the following constructions are used:

• Of course: We, of course, will go for a walk on such a beautiful frosty day.
• Of course: She will be watching you, of course .
• No doubt: No doubt, we will pass all the exams successfully!
• Maybe: I may have to resort to Victor's help.
• Obviously: Winter, obviously, will end in the coming weeks.
• Apparently: You, apparently, do not intend to go on reconciliation.
• Perhaps: Perhaps soon the best times will come.

Phrase and sentences: Most likely, this child will be very similar to his father. You, I'm sure of this, will be a good specialist in medicine.

Feelings and appreciation

In order to convey all possible shades of feelings, often introductory words are used.
Examples of suggestions are:

• Fortunately , in the courtyard rose a chic lawn, so Leonid was not injured when falling from the attic.
• For the joy of us , the order was delivered even before the specified time.
• To go on concessions will, unfortunately , not so easy.
• To the surprise of those present , Anna danced the waltz no worse than the other girls trained since childhood.
• It's a shame to realize , but before us there was not that cocky little girl with thin pigtails.

With these same introductory words, it is possible to convey the author's assessment of the subject matter of the conversation, whether spoken or written. To convey the evaluation to the style of the statement itself, you can also apply a separate introductory word. Examples:

• In other words , you must first carefully read the text, and only then make your personal judgments.
• Speaking figuratively , this mountain was like a fire-breathing dragon, which is about to spew its fatal flames.
• We, to put it mildly , did not want to go to the performance at such a late hour.
• Leonid , and he directly stated this, did not want to have any business with this contractor.

Arrangement and way of thinking

To give thoughts to any structure is also helped by the opening words. Their group is quite diverse. Here are just a few:

• Firstly (secondly, thirdly, fourthly, fifthly , we pay attention to the fact that these introductory words are written through a hyphen) , I need the confidence that you will not betray me, and secondly , I want to enlist Support of parents.
• I finally managed to get all the necessary documents.
• You will go to study in the best medical high school, hence, the beginning of a career is laid not bad.
• So, we planned a good budget to start the company.
• For example, you and your brother could move to your parents.
• Based on the following facts, we suggest breaking the contract with this company.
• She ate the soup, garnish with a good piece of meat, drank the compote , in a word, completely satisfied and matched.

Source of the statement

The following introductory words indicate the source of the statement:

• According to the professor, the work is written quite adequately.
• According to the media, weather conditions will worsen by the weekend.
• This, they say , is a very useful tool for the prevention of all kinds of infections.
• The situation, according to competent sources , was taken under the strict control of higher authorities.
• In my opinion , someone completely lost his conscience.
• Ignorance of the law, in your opinion , justifies such serious violations?

To attract attention

Another function of the opening words is to attract the attention of the interlocutor or the reader.

Such words and expressions can be used for this:

• I, you know , came out of the age of romantic daydreaming .
• Vladislav, you just imagine , climbed to the very top of a huge mountain, not having at hand the necessary equipment.
• Imagine , she did not even think that life can change so abruptly.

Punctuation rules

As a rule, the letter requires commas for the opening word. Examples in large numbers were given above. However, there are cases when it is required to stitch a dash or brackets. Consider them.

1. Introductory words convey the meaning of any additional information. The day before yesterday - I do not know why myself - I was very sad . In this case, the design conveys additional information, so it's more appropriate to select it not with commas, but with dashes.
2. Introductory structures explain the information reported. In this case, you can put both dashes and brackets. The Tasmanian devil (if you met him) is able to sink into the heart with his appearance.

Also, you should remember a few special clarifications on the allocation of commas to the input structures. So, do not put a comma at the opening word, which is included in a separate turn. Finally, a doctor came to us, most likely a surgeon. In this sentence, a detached application contains an introductory phrase in the composition most likely .

With special attention should be used punctuation at the junction of the union and the opening word. It is necessary to observe the context here. If the introductory word excluded from it does not violate the semantic integrity, then it must necessarily be separated by commas on both sides. Also, the design can be an integral whole with the union. In this case, they should not be separated by punctuation marks.

Let us consider two sentences. We will not go on holiday this summer, but most likely, the next will go on a trip. - This village seems very emotional, but according to rumors, not everything in it is so beautiful. In the first sentence, the introductory phrase can most likely be easily separated from the union. The meaning of the sentence will not be violated. Another example is the second example - here the phrase is rumored organically merges into the context of the whole sentence. If we remove it, it will lose its semantic nuance.

Special cases

There are special cases where introductory constructions are not so easy to distinguish from homonymous sentence members. One such is the opening word however . Examples will help to catch these differences.

Let us analyze the sentences. Alexey, however, was an excellent builder. "We were already close to home, but the snow fell, so we did not get there very soon." In the first sentence, however , it is an introductory word, it expresses a clarifying meaning. In the second, it is a writing union, easily replaced by another, for example, but. Thus, if, however, it is in the middle or the end of a sentence is an introductory word. In all other cases it is a creative union.

Also the complexity seems to be . An introductory word, examples of which we shall discuss below, should be distinguished from the predicate in an impersonal sentence. For example:

It seems to me that a wonderful winter will come soon. Here this word serves as a predicate. Compare with another proposal. They did not seem to notice the people at all. In this case, there is a sentence with an introductory word. We pay attention to the fact that the verb-predicate is easily determined - did not notice. Thus, this member seems to have nothing to do with the proposal.