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539 Glossary for any unfamiliar terms

Adjuncts | 591

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As with other types of mid-position adjunct, longer modal adjuncts are more likely

to be used in front or end position, especially in spoken language:

In all probability, local opposition to such a proposal would be overwhelming.

I knew 

without a shadow of a doubt that something supernatural had

happened. 

(preferred to: I without a shadow of a doubt knew that …)

You have to register by the end of the month, 

to the best of my knowledge.

EVALUATIVE

333

Evaluation is an important type of adjunct meaning. It is possible to emphasise

that the adjunct is expressing an opinion, comment, or judgement of an action

(rather than a description of the way it is done) by putting it in mid position:

The most you 

can 

sensibly

do

is forget it. 

(speaker’s opinion that it is sensible)

He 

wisely

decided

to keep it to himself till he got back. 

(speaker’s opinion that it was wise of him)

In end position, such adjuncts can have quite a different emphasis, with the

possibility of a more objective interpretation as an adjunct of manner:

She believed she had acted 

sensibly.

Evaluative adjuncts are rather rare in positions other than mid, but they can occur

elsewhere:

Appropriately, he was wearing a long black coat.

Just like that

, a common spoken evaluative adjunct, usually occurs in end

position:

[just like that means ‘abruptly, with no formalities or hedging’]

I was literally asked if I fancied doing it, 

just like that.