What Are Disjunct Adverbials? Clear Examples and Uses

Kashish Zahra
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 What is an Disjunct Adverbial?

A disjunct adverbial can be defined as an adverbial that places the speaker’s attitude or his/her opinion into the matrix at some remove. Indeed, it differs from almost all other words, because it shifts the entire meaning of the phrase which it belongs to or enters into, rather than the segment that contains it. 

  • Honestly, I don’t know.
The adverb ‘honestly’ is disjunct adverbial because it is set apart and the role of hence is to express the frankness of the speaker.

Disjunct Adverbial Definition:

An adverbial is one of the words or phrase in a sentence that has an adverbial function. In addition to this it gives additional information about the verb, adjective or adverb that modifies it. 

Examples of Disjunct

  • Unfortunately, we missed the train by a few minutes.
    (Honestly shows that the speaker is being truthful about their surprise.)
  • Clearly, this is the best option available.
    (Clearly indicates that the speaker believes the conclusion is obvious or evident.)
  • Frankly, I think you should reconsider your decision.
    (Frankly shows that the speaker is being direct or candid in their advice.)
  • Surprisingly, they completed the project ahead of schedule.
     (Surprisingly reflects the speaker’s unexpected reaction to the early completion.)
  • Luckily, no one was hurt in the accident.
    (Luckily conveys the speaker’s relief or good fortune regarding the outcome.)
  • Regrettably, we have to cancel the event.
    (Regrettably expresses the speaker’s disappointment or sorrow over the cancellation.)
  • Common Disjuncts Adverbial:

    Disjunct words that commonly used in the English language include: 

  • Honestly
  • Frankly
  • Clearly
  • Unfortunately
  • Surprisingly
  • Regrettably
  • Luckily
  • In my opinion
  • Obviously
  • Undoubtedly
  • Hopefully
  • Thankfully
  • Evidently
  • Naturally
  • In truth
  • Types of Disjuncts 

    Disjuncts classified into two main types based on their function:

    • Style Disjuncts (Manner Disjuncts)
    • Content Disjuncts (Attitudinal Disjuncts)

    Style Disjunctions (Manner Disjunctions)

    These disjuncts relate to the way in which a particular thing stated, or the style, possibility or even possibility of its delivery. They most times show the position of the speaker in regards to the truthfulness of the statement in question.
    Examples:
    • Honestly, I do not have appreciation for the kind of decision made.
    • Frankly, I was lost as to what the presentation hoped to achieve.
    • However, it will be perfect to note that we used little time to prepare for the test.
    In all three examples, the subject is doing what might be called ‘speaking in a speaking style’; that is, the subject is speaking in a way that modifies the manner in which that message is going to be perceived by one or more other parties.

    Content Disjuncts (Attitudinal Disjuncts)

    These disjuncts indicate the stance of the speaker toward the content, as a rule, containing opinions on the probability, necessity or advisability of the material.
    Examples:
    • However, the meeting has been called off.
    • Luckily all passengers were safe.,That is why every person came in a safe manner.
    • Of course, this is the proper solution.
    In all three cases the speaker is reflecting on the message he or she is conveying. In a way, the speaker suggests to the listener the tone in which the listener should take the content of what the speaker is uttering.

    What is the difference between style and content disjuncts? 

    Style disjuncts refer to the way in which the speaker delivers the statement, they have parameters such as being truthful, straightforward or fair. They refer to the manner in which something is said pointing at the disposition or posture of the sender of the message. 

    In turn, content disjuncts refer to the relationship between the content and the speaker’s attitude or evaluation of it. These disjuncts relate to such things as the truth or probability, or the desirability, of what is being said. 

    It is important to understand that style disjuncts refers to disruptions in the speaker’s manner while content disjuncts refers to disruptions in statement.

    Example:

    Try to identify in the following pair which of them is a style disjunct and which one is a content disjunct.

    ‘Honestly, I could not care less’.

    ‘fortunately he did not forget ‘the keys’

    Have you got it?...

    The first of the sentences ‘quite frankly, I don’t care’ is an example of style disjunct because the speaker is actually being frank about saying it meaning, I am saying it frank.

    The second of the two is a content disjunct due to the speaking is telling the listener that the content of the sentence namely remembering keys was fortuitous.

    Difference between a Disjunct and an Adjunct 

    The difference between the two is in the matters of degree and perhaps in spirit as well: a Disjunct is an Adjunct only in a somewhat different mold.
    Despite the differences that exists between adjuncts and disjuncts they are both adverbials in English language.

    That is why adjuncts are well interlinked with the formation of a sentence and disjuncts are generally set apart with the help of commas.
    Example:
    • 'Callum was talking loudly'
    In this case the adverb ‘loudly’ is an adjunct since it can be removed from its structural position in the above shown sentence and it can also be repositioned to different positions in the following ways; Callum was talking loudly. Altogether, it would facilitate to obtain some more information concerning how Callum was speaking.

    While an adjunct is commonly used to embellish a verb phrase, a disjunct is usually used to embellish the whole of the sentence.
    Example:
    • Adjunct: Jenny was talking seriously.
    • Disjunct: In its literal sense, Jenny was speaking all the night.
    In the example 1; intense is serious in example 1 an adverb because it modifies the verb used in the talking (the talking was serious).

    In example 2; seriously’ regulates the totality of the clip; it is literal she was serious talking = she was talking on phone all night.

    This is because at times when operating a sentence, the words can fit either into the disjunct or adjunct family of words. 

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      What Are Disjunct Adverbials? Clear Examples and Uses

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