Fronted adverbials

In a nutshell

A fronted adverbial is a word or phrase which comes at the beginning of a sentence and adds more information. Fronted adverbials describe the verb they precede and can tell you when, where or how a verb happens. By the end of this summary you'll be able to spot fronted adverbials and include them in your own writing.

At the start of a sentence

Fronted adverbials come in front of the verb they describe at the very beginning of a sentence and they are always followed by a comma.

Example

After a while, Andrei got bored of playing badminton.

Types of fronted adverbials

Fronted adverbials give different sorts of information about the verbs they describe. They can inform how, when, where, how often, or about the possibility that something happens.

Manner

Some fronted adverbials tell you how the main verb of the sentence happened, happens, or will happen.

Examples

Carefully, Jacob opened the present and looked inside.
Quick as a flash, Jack jumped over the fence and hid.
Bravely, Alexa stood up in front of the school and spoke.

Time

These fronted adverbials tell you when something happened.

Examples

Tomorrow night, Klaus is going to the opera.
Later, Terry will be watching the match.
Before long, Mona was exhausted.

Place

These fronted adverbials tell you where something happened.

Examples

Outside, the barbeque was lit and the party was starting.
Nearby, there is an excellent pub with great food.
Behind the shed, there was a variety of garden tools.

Frequency

These fronted adverbials tell you how often something happened.

Examples

Occasionally, Solomon enjoys a relaxing bath.
Fortnightly, Rupee plays golf with her auntie.
Twice a year, I get a haircut.

Possibility

These fronted adverbials tell you the possibility of something happening.

Examples

Without a doubt, her uncle and auntie will be at the party.
Perhaps, Janice didn't like him as much as she thought.
Definitely, there will be an interval halfway through the show.