Is it okay to start a sentence with an adverb? Naturally, you might be a bit wary with so much negativity around using adverbs in good writing.
However, it shouldn’t deter you because using an adverb to start a sentence is perfectly normal. It’s often an ideal way to emphasize a point, introduce a contrast, or enhance an idea.
Sometimes you don’t even notice you’re using one, as in this sentence, because adverbs ending in “-ly” tend to attract the most attention.
A big positive of using an adverb is that it can modify the whole sentence, rather than simply modifying a verb.
How to start a sentence with an adverb correctly
Before I start on using adverbs, I want to talk about commas.
Why? Because comma use is not always standard with adverbs starting a sentence.
A comma will often follow an introductory “-ly” adverb. You should also use a comma after however when it’s used as a conjunctive adverb.
But you may or may not need one with perhaps, also, and sometimes. It’s also optional for today, yesterday, and tonight.
It can be quite difficult to decide in some cases. “However carefully I checked it, I couldn’t find the error.”
Without getting into the finer points, you can see why comma use can be confusing. The best way to decide is to use a style guide to help you.
Apart from punctuation, using an introductory adverb is very easy.
The only thing to watch out for is that most of the time, you will want the adverb to modify the entire sentence and not just the verb.
Sadly, the dog passed away. Sadly comments on the whole situation.
Quietly, the dog walked back to its kennel. Quietly describes how the dog walked.
As long as you understand this difference, you can make much better decisions.
Uses for adverb sentence starters
When you start a sentence with an adverb, you often want it to apply to the whole sentence and not just a single word.
Typically, you might follow it with a comma to separate it from the main clause and improve readability.
Examples might include:
Unfortunately, I don’t understand the comma rules.
Evidently, he gained his degree by cheating.
Suddenly, a deer leaped in front of our car.
Of course, you could use the adverb within the sentence.
A deer leaped suddenly in front of our car.
However, when the adverb modifies the complete sentence, it can be more concise and expressive.
Setting a time is another use.
Yesterday I went to see my friend’s new apartment.
Tomorrow I’ll be heading to Spain for my holiday.
Today is the first quiet day I’ve had in weeks.
Now, I really must get this report finished. (Notice the comma use here.)
Using adverbial phrases
Fronted adverbial phrases are one of the most common forms of fronting in a sentence.
These phrases often begin with a preposition and provide more information about when, where, why, or how something happens.
Examples include:
With surprisingly little effort, she finished editing the new article.
Without thinking carefully, I clicked the wrong button, and boom, I deleted my profile.
Quite unexpectedly, my old computer started working again after an update.
Incredibly quickly, the protest got way out of hand.
As you can see, these phrases add more detail to the sentence and are generally separated from the main clause with a comma.
However, the adverbial phrase doesn’t always have to modify the entire sentence.
In the last example, incredibly quickly tells us how quickly the protest got out of hand.
It’s another reason why starting a sentence with an adverbial phrase or an adverb can be useful.
It lets you put extra information at the beginning of the sentence, where it can have more emphasis.
Common mistakes
As with all forms of adverb use, a little goes a long way. In this case, it is especially true.
Starting too many sentences with an adverb isn’t a great idea.
Paradoxically, however, it is a way you can make some of your sentences clearer and more concise.
But the main problem is with punctuation. You need to take care, and while in many cases you’ll need a comma, there are many exceptions.
If you use a style guide or an online writing checker, you can be more confident that you’ll get it right, most of the time.
Conclusion
They often get a bad rap, but adverbs are a handy and useful part of speech.
As long as you use them judiciously, they have a place and can often be the most efficient way to get your message or story across to a reader.
Whether to use an adverb is a case-by-case decision for every writer.
But for me, they are quite often the quickest and easiest way to get my message across.
However, the choice is up to you.
Related Reading: How To Use Prepositional Phrases In Your Writing
English teacher, writer, and author. Passionate about grammar, creative writing, and self-publishing. Always exploring new tools and tech to help writers succeed.
