Introductory adverbs

The ACT doesn’t quiz you on adverbs on every test. But we do see them pop up often enough that we felt we should address them.

Basically, many sentences begin with a word that essentially modifies (or describes) a whole sentence, usually by virtue of modifying the verb. In fact, we did it just now in the previous sentence!

Example

Basically, many sentences begin with a word that essentially modifies (or describes) a whole sentence, usually by virtue of modifying the verb.

The word “basically” is an introductory adverb. These words act as a kind of sentence interrupter, except it happens at the beginning instead of the middle. As such, a comma always follows.

Common introductory adverbs

Other words that commonly do this job are listed below. Just remember, when you see one of these words at the beginning of a sentence or an independent clause, a comma should follow it:

• Basically
• Therefore
• Hence
• Initially
• Subsequently
• However
• Consequently
• Meanwhile
• Furthermore
• And any other words that perform a similar function.

If you can remember this, you’ll be fine on test day. But again, questions like these don’t show up a ton. So, unless you’re aiming for a 36, even if you happen to let this one slip, you still should be fine.