Sometimes during syntactic analysis it turns out that some phrases, words and even whole statements are not part of the sentence being parsed. They are called "introductory constructions" and are not grammatically related to the rest of the words, except perhaps in meaning.
For example:
- Apparently, they were elves.
- Probably the whole palace is made of glass.
In the first example, "apparently" is an introductory construct. Its meaning in this sentence - all the signs said that … In the second example, the introductory word is the adverb "probably" in the meaning - I'm not sure that …
All introductory constructions have certain features:
- It is difficult to ask a question from the members of the proposal to them.
- You can replace them with other introductory words or expressions that fit the meaning.
- You can remove them from the sentence without violating the main meaning.
In terms of meaning, introductory constructions can be divided into different groups:
- Conviction or doubt. For example: justof course, indeed, of course, obviously, undoubtedly, probably, it seems, perhaps, I think, perhaps, I hope, etc.
- The source of a saying or saying. For example: they report, in the opinion of …, according to …, they say, in your opinion, in your opinion, in my opinion, etc.
- Expression of emotions. For example: fortunately, unfortunately, to be honest, unfortunately, fortunately, surprisingly, etc.
- Order of events, statements. For example: so, firstly, in general, in particular, in the end, and so on.
- Attracting the attention of the interlocutor. For example: listen, do you know, understand, imagine, please believe, do you see, etc.
- Assessing the style of an expression or utterance. For example: in other words, so to speak, in one word, so to speak, in other words, etc.
It is also necessary to know that many of the above words may or may not be introductory constructions in a sentence. For example:
In April, there may still be frost.
The introductory word is separated by commas and is not part of the sentence.
In April, the temperature will rise, but it may also fall.
In the following example, the word "maybe" is not introductory, it is part of a compound predicate and is not separated by commas.
Introductory constructions should also not be confused with words that are not separated by commas. Most often they are adverbs. For example: suddenly, allegedly, as if, hardly, exclusively, even, hardly, ultimately, even, as it were, once, decisively,almost, approximately, little by little, exactly, etc. But the word "used" is a particle and is separated from one or both sides by commas, if it is in the middle of a sentence.
To identify introductory words and constructions, you must, firstly, look for them in the group of the above words that are not introductory. Secondly, you need to try to put questions to them from the members of the proposal. If it does not work out, then these are introductory words. Thirdly, you can remove them from the sentence and check if the meaning has changed. If it has not changed and it is possible to replace it with a synonymous expression, then these constructions are introductory, and they can be safely separated with commas.
Introductory constructions in English, as well as in many others, perform the same functions as in Russian. They, too, are not members of the proposal, and questions cannot be put to them. True, unlike Russian introductory words, English ones are not separated by commas.
