Introductory words for writing in English. Introductory words in English. Introductory phrases as a tribute to politeness

02.03.2024

Read also

The Clash of Civilizations - Samuel Huntington, download the book for free The Clash of Civilizations Huntington

Neil Gaiman What genre does Neil Gaiman write in?

Introductory words in English are used to make spoken or written speech more vivid. There are a large number of such words in English, as in Russian. Such techniques are used in oral speech to create pauses or add euphony to sentences, and in writing to write a beautiful and emotional essay or letter.

Introductory words are so named because they are used at the beginning of a sentence construction. They do not carry any semantic or grammatical load. Introductory phrases in English add expressiveness to the conversation, but if they are discarded, the meaning of the conversation will not change in any way.

When the weather is fine we can go to the sea or friends and at last stay at home.– When the weather is good, we can go to the sea or to friends, or, finally, stay at home. (finally = and yet)

Also, the construction in question can be at the end of a sentence. In this case, they talk about “final words.” They help not only to express the speaker’s attitude to the conversation or events in question, but also to direct the dialogue in the right direction.

Using constructions in introductory words

Using introductory expressions, the speaker can express almost any of his emotions and show his attitude towards a subject or object. So, what are introductory phrases used for in letters and in conversation in English:

To indicate a positive attitude

For example,

Doubtless, you can take this exam. - Surely you can pass this exam

To express your own opinion

For example,

I am convinced, there are not people who can speak English, there are people who don’t want.– I am convinced that there are no people who cannot speak English, there are people who do not want to.

To reflect emotion

Eg,

Unfortunately, I can't visit my sick friend today.– Unfortunately, I cannot visit my sick friend today.

To show disagreement

For example,

Actually, it is not difficult to study 15 new English words every day.– Actually, it’s not difficult to learn fifteen new words in English every day.

To indicate time

After	after
All of a sudden	all of a sudden
At the present time	currently
At the same time/ In the meantime	in the same time
At this instant	in this moment
Before	before, before
By the time	by that time
Eventually	in the end
In due time	on time
Later	Later
Meanwhile	in the meantime, in the meantime
Now	Now
Occasionally	occasionally
Once	one day
Shortly	soon
Since	since, since then
Sooner or later	Sooner or later
Then	then
Until	before
Until now	still
Up to the present time	until now
When	When

Eg,

Until now it was easy to do laboratory work, but the final stages are more difficult that I thought.– So far it was easy to do the lab, but the final stages turned out to be more difficult than I thought.

To structure thoughts

First and foremost/ first of all	Firstly
Firstly/foremost	Firstly
In the first place	first of all
Primarily	first of all
Secondly	Secondly
The first/ second reason for	first/second reason
To begin with	to begin with, let's start with

For example,

Firstly, I would like to discuss the problems related to reproductive health.– Firstly, I would like to discuss problems related to reproductive health.

To indicate the cause and condition

Eg,

I will tell you my secret, on the condition you should never say to someone about it.“I’ll tell you my secret, on the condition that you don’t tell anyone about it.”

For a conclusion or conclusion

Summing it up	Summarizing
So, to sum it up	so, to summarize
To crown it all	to top it all off
With this in mind	taking into account the above
In conclusion/Finally	Finally
As a result	as a result
Accordingly	Based on this
Hence	hence
For this reason	for this reason
In the final analysis/ in the long run	ultimately
All things considered	all things considered
In summary	eventually
After all	in the end

For example,

All things considered, I can say that smoking should be banned in public places.– Taking everything into account, I can say that smoking should be prohibited in public places.

Introductory words in English for all occasions

Phrases to start a conversation with:

As a matter of fact - essentially

It goes without saying - goes without saying

To begin with - to begin with, first; let's begin with

To tell the truth - telling the truth

First of all - first of all, first of all

By the way - by the way, by the way

As far as I know - as far as I know

Phrases that help you move smoothly from one thought to another:

In this case - in this case

Although - although

Nevertheless – nevertheless, however

As I have already mentioned – as I already said

On the one hand - on one side

On the other hand

Moreover - moreover, in addition

Phrases that will help you end a conversation beautifully:

To sum it up - in the end

To draw the conclusion - summing up

To top it off - finally, to top it all off

That is why

In conclusion \ To conclude – in conclusion

As a result of - as a result.

As you can see, this topic of introductory words is not anything complicated. Now try to learn at least the most common words and phrases and then you will be able to support any conversation, discuss any topic in English, and express your point of view. And also write a beautiful essay or letter. We wish you success in learning English.

1. Introductory words and phrases are not members of the proposal. With their help, the speaker expresses his attitude to the content of the statement (confidence or uncertainty, emotional reaction, etc.):

Example: Unfortunately, he didn't have watercolors(Soloukhin).

Introductory sentences can also perform the same function.

For example: I dare say I was loved in the house(Turgenev) - the structure is a definite personal one-part sentence; In life, do you know, there is always room for exploits(M. Gorky) - the structure is a two-part sentence; We, if you want to know, we came to demand(Gorbatov) - in structure, a conditional one-part clause.

In writing, introductory words, phrases and sentences usually separated by commas.

Classes of introductory words by meaning

Meaning	Introductory Components	Examples
1. Evaluation of what is being reported in terms of reliability, etc.:
1.1. Confidence, authenticity	Of course, of course, indisputably, undoubtedly, without a doubt, certainly, really, in fact, truly, of course, naturally, truly and etc.	Undoubtedly, someone is sucking the life out of this strange girl who cries when others in her place laugh (Korolenko). The heroine of this novel, goes without saying, there was Masha (L. Tolstoy). Indeed, since my mother died... I was very rarely seen at home (Turgenev).
1.2. Uncertainty, assumption, uncertainty, assumption	Probably, it seems, as it seems, probably, in all likelihood, right, tea, obviously, perhaps, perhaps, it is visible, apparently, as it seems, it is true, maybe, it should be, it seems, I think, I believe, one must believe, I hope , in some way, in some sense, suppose, suppose, let's say, if you want, one way or another and etc.	She probably still drinks coffee and cookies in the morning.(Fadeev). Life, it seems, has not yet begun(Paustovsky). Apparently the free bread was to my liking(Mezherov). And he dreamed, perhaps, to approach by a different route, to knock at the window with the expected guest, dear(Tvardovsky). I have a headache. Must be due to bad weather(Chekhov).
2. Different feelings:
2.1. Joy, approval	Fortunately, to happiness, to joy, to the joy, to the pleasure of someone, what is good, what is even better and etc.	Fortunately, Alekhine left the house an hour earlier and caught the ship sailing to Frankfurt(Kotov). Here, to Petya's indescribable admiration, an entire metalworking workshop has been set up on an old kitchen table(Kataev).
2.2. Regret, disapproval	Unfortunately, unfortunately, unfortunately, to the shame of someone, to regret, to annoyance, to misfortune, as if unfortunately, as if on purpose, by a sinful act, what is even worse, what is offensive, alas and etc.	Unfortunately, I must add that in the same year Pavel passed away(Turgenev).
2.3. Surprise, bewilderment	To surprise, amazing, amazing thing, to amazement, strange, strange thing, incomprehensible thing and etc.	Naydenov, to Nagulny's amazement, in one second he shrugged off his leather jacket and sat down at the table(Sholokhov).
2.4. Fear	The hour is uneven, God forbid, whatever happens and etc.	Just look, the oar will rip out and he will be thrown into the sea(Novikov-Priboy).
2.5. General expressive nature of the utterance	In conscience, in justice, in essence, in essence, in soul, in truth, in truth, in truth, one must tell the truth, if the truth is to be told, it is funny to say, to say in honor, between us, speaking between us, there is nothing to say in vain, I confess, except jokes, actually and etc.	There were, however, some weaknesses behind him(Turgenev). I admit, I don’t really like this tree - aspen...(Turgenev). Nothing offends me more, dare I say, offends me so much, as ingratitude(Turgenev).
3. Source of message	According to someone, according to someone, in my opinion, according to you, according to someone, according to someone, according to rumors, according to a proverb, according to legend, from the point of view of someone, I remember, one can hear, they say, they say, as one can hear, as I think, as I think, as I remember, as they say, as they believe, as is known, as was pointed out, as it turned out, as they said in the old days, in my opinion and etc.	Pesotsky, they say, has apples as big as his head, and Pesotsky, they say, made his fortune from the garden(Chekhov). The calculation, in my opinion, was mathematically accurate(Paustovsky). Twenty years ago Line Lake was such a wilderness that, according to foresters, not every bird dared to fly there(Paustovsky).
4. Order of thoughts and their connections	Firstly, secondly, thirdly, finally, so, therefore, therefore, thus, on the contrary, on the contrary, for example, for example, in particular, in addition, in addition, to top it all off, in addition, moreover, on the one hand, on the other hand, however, by the way, in general, in addition, therefore, the main thing, by the way, by the way, by the way and etc.	On the one hand, the darkness was saving: it hid us(Paustovsky). Forest air is healing, it lengthens life, it increases our vitality, and, finally, it turns the mechanical and sometimes difficult process of breathing into pleasure(Paustovsky). So, the next day I stood in this room behind the doors and listened as my fate was decided(Dostoevsky).
5. Assessing the style of expression, manner of speech, ways of forming thoughts	In a word, in one word, in other words, in other words, directly speaking, roughly speaking, in fact, in fact, in short, in short, more accurately, better to say, directly to say, easier to say, so to speak, how to say, so to speak, what's called and etc.	In a word, Storeshnikov was thinking more and more strongly about getting married every day.(Chernyshevsky). In short, this is not a master in science, but a worker(Chekhov). We got up and went to push ourselves to the well, or rather, to the fountain(Garshin).
6. Assessment of the measure, the degree of what is being said; the degree of commonality of the facts stated	At least, at least to one degree or another, to a large extent, as usual, as usual, it happens, happens, as usual, as always, as it happens, as it happens, as it happens sometimes and etc.	Talked to me at least like an army commander(Simonov). Behind the counter, as usual, Nikolai Ivanovich stood almost the entire width of the opening...(Turgenev) It happens that mine is luckier(Griboyedov).
7. Drawing the interlocutor’s attention to the message, emphasizing, emphasizing	Do you see, know, remember, understand, believe, listen, allow, imagine, imagine, can imagine, believe, imagine, admit, believe, believe, not believe, agree, notice, do me a favor, if you want to know, I remind, we remind, I repeat, I emphasize what is important, what is even more important, what is essential, what is even more significant and etc.	You were afraid, admit it, when my fellows threw a rope around your neck?(Pushkin). Imagine, our young people are already bored(Turgenev). We, if you want to know, we came to demand(Gorbatov). Where was this, please?(Pavlenko).

2. In terms of their grammatical correlation, introductory words and constructions can go back to different parts of speech and different grammatical forms:

nouns in various cases with and without prepositions;

Without a doubt, for joy, fortunately and etc.

adjectives in short form, in various cases, in the superlative degree;

Right, guilty, the main thing, in general, the most important thing, the least.

pronouns in indirect cases with prepositions;

In addition, besides, meanwhile.

adverbs in the positive or comparative degree;

Undoubtedly, of course, probably, in short, more accurately.

verbs in various forms of the indicative or imperative mood;

I think, believe me, they seemed to say, imagine, have mercy.

infinitive or combination with an infinitive;

See, know, admit, funny to say.

combinations with participles;

To tell the truth, in short, to put it roughly.

two-part sentences with a subject - a personal pronoun and a predicate - a verb with the meaning of expression of will, speaking, thought, etc.;

For as long as I can remember, I often think.

impersonal offers;
It seemed to her that we all remember it well.
vaguely personal proposals.
This is how they thought about him, how they usually talked about him.

That is why it is necessary to distinguish between introductory words and homonymous forms and constructions.

Note!

Depending on the context, the same words act either as introductory words (hence, not members of the sentence), or as members of the sentence. In order not to make a mistake, you should remember that:

A) you can ask a question to a member of a sentence;

b) the introductory word is not a member of the sentence and has one of the meanings listed above;

V) the introductory word can usually (but not always) be removed from the sentence.

Compare the sentences given in pairs:

This is true(Dostoevsky). - True, sometimes... it’s not too fun to wander along country roads (Turgenev).

During the summer, he can become attached to this weak, talkative creature, get carried away, fall in love (Chekhov). - You may have thought that I was asking you for money!(Dostoevsky).

Listen, we right went? Do you remember the place? (Kassil). - Donkey shouts: we’ll probably get along if we sit next to each other(Krylov).

In a number of cases, the criterion for distinguishing between introductory words and sentence members is the possibility of adding the word speaking.

By the way, he never came(“by the way”); You really shouldn't have come("as a matter of fact"); In short, the book is useful("in short"); To be honest, I don’t want to go back to what was said.("in truth").

When determining syntactic function and placing punctuation marks, in some cases it is necessary to take into account several conditions.

1) The word probably is introductory in the sense of “probably, apparently”:

The sisters are probably already asleep(Korolenko).

The word probably is a member of a sentence in the meaning “undoubtedly, definitely”:

If I know(How?) Maybe that I have to die, then I’ll tell you everything, everything!(Turgenev).

2) The word is finally introductory:

if it indicates a connection of thoughts, the order of their presentation (in the meaning of “and also”) completes the enumeration:

Opekushin came from the common people, first a self-taught person, then a recognized artist and, finally, an academician(Teleshov).

Often a word is finally preceded by homogeneous members of the word Firstly Secondly or on the one hand on the other hand, in relation to which the word finally ends the enumeration;

if it gives an assessment of a fact from the point of view of the speaker’s face or is used to express impatience, to strengthen, emphasize something:

Yes, finally leave!(Chekhov).

Note!

The word finally is not introductory and serves as a circumstantial meaning “at the end”, “finally”, “after everything”, “as a result of everything”.

Gave three balls every year and squandered it finally (Pushkin).

In this meaning, finally, the particle - can usually be added to the word (with an introductory word such an addition is impossible).

Wed: Finally got to the station (Finally got to the station). - You can finally turn to your father for advice(adding a particle -That impossible).

3) The distinction between the combination finally as an introductory one and as a member of a sentence is a circumstance similar in terms to the word finally.

Wed: After all, in the end, we haven’t decided anything yet! (in the end denotes not time, but the conclusion to which the speaker came as a result of a series of reasoning). - In the end agreement was reached(meaning of the circumstance “as a result of everything”).

4) The word, however, is introductory if it appears in the middle or at the end of a simple sentence:

The heat and fatigue took their toll, however.(Turgenev); How cleverly I did it, however(Chekhov).

At the beginning of a sentence (part of a complex sentence) or as a means of connecting homogeneous members, the word however has the meaning of an adversative conjunction (it can be replaced by the conjunction but), therefore a comma is placed only before this word:

However, it is desirable to know - by what witchcraft did the man gain such power over the entire neighborhood?(Nekrasov).

Note. In rare cases, however, the word is separated by a comma at the beginning of the sentence, approaching in meaning an interjection (expresses surprise, bewilderment, indignation), for example: However, what a wind!(Chekhov).

5) The word of course is usually separated by commas as an introductory word:

Fedor was still working in the rear, of course, he heard and read many times about “folk heroes”(Furmanov).

But sometimes the word of course, pronounced in a tone of confidence, conviction, takes on the meaning of an affirmative particle and is not punctuated:

Of course it's true!; Of course it is.

6) The word is indeed introductory in the sense of “yes, so, right, exactly” (usually it occupies a position at the beginning of a sentence):

Indeed, from the battery there was a view of almost the entire location of the Russian troops(L. Tolstoy).

As an adverb, it really means “really, truly, in fact” (usually it stands between the subject and the predicate):

I really just like you say(Dostoevsky).

7) A word in general is introductory if it is used in the meaning “generally speaking”:

In general, one could agree with this statement, but it is necessary to check some data; In general, I would like to know what really happened.

In other cases, the word is generally used as an adverb in different meanings:

in the meaning of “in general”, “on the whole”:
Pushkin is for Russian art what Lomonosov is for Russian enlightenment at all (Goncharov);
in the meaning “always”, “at all”, “under all conditions”:
He lights fires at all forbade it, it was dangerous(Kazakevich);
in the meaning “in all respects”, “in relation to everything”:
He at all looked like a weirdo(Turgenev).

This provision also applies to the form in general.

Wed: In general, there is nothing to be sad about(introductory word, can be replaced - generally speaking). - These are the terms generally simple process(meaning “in the end”); I made a few comments regarding various little things, but All in all praised him very much(Garshin) (meaning “as a result”).

8) Combination anyway is introductory if it has a restrictive-evaluative meaning:

Anyway, his last name was not Akundin, he came from abroad and performed for a reason (A.N. Tolstoy); This information at least in the short term, it will be difficult to check (the entire turnover is highlighted).

In the meaning “under any circumstances” this combination is not introductory:

You anyway you will be informed about the progress of the case; I was firmly convinced that anyway I'll see him at my mom's today(Dostoevsky).

9) The combination, in turn, is not distinguished as occupied if it is used in a meaning close to direct, or in the meaning “in response”, “for its part”:

He in its turn asked me(i.e. when it was his turn); The workers thanked their bosses for their help and asked to visit them more often; in turn, representatives of the patronage organization invited workers to a meeting of the theater’s artistic council.

In a figurative meaning, the combination, in turn, takes on the meaning of introduction and is punctuated:

Among newspaper genres, there are informational, analytical and artistic-journalistic genres; among the latter, in turn, the essay, feuilleton, and pamphlet stand out.

10) The combination in fact meaning “really” is not introductory. But if this combination serves to express bewilderment, indignation, indignation, etc., then it becomes introductory.

11) In particular, indicating the relationship between the parts of the statement, it is highlighted on both sides with commas:

He is interested, in particular, in the origin of individual words.

But if, in particular, it is part of a connecting structure (at the beginning or at the end), then it is allocated as occupied along with this structure:

Many will willingly take on this work, and in particular me; Many people will be willing to take on this work, and I in particular.

If in particular included in the design in general and in particular, then this construction is not separated by commas:

Over tea the conversation turned to housekeeping in general and in particular about gardening(Saltykov-Shchedrin).

12) The combination is mainly introductory if it serves to highlight a fact in order to express its assessment.

For example: There was a wide alley... and along it, mainly, the public was walking(Gorky) (it is impossible to form the combination “mainly for a walk”, so in this example the combination mainly is not a member of the proposal); The article should be corrected and, mainly, supplemented with fresh material (mainly meaning “the most important thing”). The combination mainly included in the connecting structure (at the beginning or at the end) is separated by commas along with it, for example: With fifty people mostly officers, crowded nearby(Pavlenko).

The combination is mainly not introductory in the meaning of “first of all”, “most of all”:

He achieved success mainly due to his hard work; What I like about him mainly is his sincerity.

13) The word main is introductory in the meaning of “especially important”, “especially significant”:

You can take any topic for the story, but the main thing is that it is interesting; Details can be omitted, but the main thing is to make it entertaining(a comma cannot be placed after the conjunction a, and to enhance punctuation, a dash is placed after the introductory combination).

14) A word means is introductory if it can be replaced with introductory words therefore, it became:

People are born, get married, die; that means it’s necessary, that means it’s good(A.N. Ostrovsky); So, does that mean you can't come today?

If the word means is close in meaning to “means,” then the punctuation depends on the place it occupies in the sentence:

in the position between the subject and the predicate, it means that it serves as a means of connecting the main members of the sentence, a dash is placed before it, and no sign is placed after it:

To fight is to win;

in other cases it means that it is not separated or highlighted by any signs:

if the word means is located between a subordinate and main clause or between parts of a non-union complex sentence, then it is highlighted on both sides with commas:

If he defends his views so stubbornly, it means he feels he is right; If you didn’t save the child, then you have yourself to blame.

15) The word is the opposite meaning “in contrast to what is said or expected; on the contrary” is introductory and is separated by commas:

Instead of slowing down, he, on the contrary, stood on the box and desperately twirled his whip over his head.(Kataev).

If, on the contrary (after the conjunction and) is used as a word replacing a member of a sentence or a whole sentence, then the following punctuation is observed:

when a member of a sentence is replaced, no sign is placed before the conjunction:

In the picture, light tones turn into dark and vice versa(i.e. dark to light);

when, on the contrary, it is added to a whole sentence, a comma is placed before the conjunction:

The closer the light source, the brighter the light it emits, and vice versa(the whole sentence is replaced: The further away the light source is, the less bright the light it emits; a kind of compound sentence is formed);

when, and vice versa, it is attached to a subordinate clause, a comma is not placed before the conjunction:

This also explains why what was considered criminal in the ancient world is considered legal in the new and vice versa(Belinsky) (as if homogeneous subordinate clauses with a non-repeating conjunction are formed And: ...and why what was considered criminal in modern times was considered legal in the ancient world).

16) The combination is at least introductory if it has an evaluative-restrictive meaning, that is, it expresses the speaker’s attitude to the thought being expressed:

One person, driven by compassion, decided to at least help Akakiy Akakievich with good advice(Gogol); Vera Efimovna advised us to try to transfer her to a political position or, at least, to work as a nurse in a hospital(L. Tolstoy).

If the introductory combination is at least at the beginning of a separate phrase, then it is separated by commas along with it:

Nikolai Evgrafych knew that his wife would not return home soon, at least five o'clock! (Chekhov).

The combination is at least not separated by commas if it means “no less than”, “at least”:

From his tanned face one could conclude that he knew what smoke was, if not gunpowder, then at least tobacco(Gogol); At least I will know that I will serve in the Russian army (Bulgakov).

17) The phrase including the combination from the point of view is separated by commas if it means “in opinion”:

Choosing a place to build a cottage, from my point of view, successful.

If such a combination has the meaning “in relation”, then the rotation is not separated by commas:

I know that a crime has been committed, if you look at things from the point of view of general morality; From the point of view of novelty, the book deserves attention.

18) The word approximately is introductory in the sense of “for example” and is not introductory in the sense of “approximately”.

Wed: I'm trying to think about her("For example"), not thinking is impossible(Ostrovsky). - We are approximately("approximately") in these tones and with such conclusions they conducted a conversation(Furmanov).

19) The word is for example associated with the following punctuation:

separated by commas as introductory:
Nikolai Artemyevich loved to persistently argue, for example, about whether it is possible for a person to travel around the entire globe during his entire life(Turgenev);
stands out together with the revolution, at the beginning or end of which there is:

requires a comma before itself and a colon after itself, if it is after a generalizing word before listing homogeneous members:

Some mushrooms are very poisonous, for example: toadstool, satanic mushroom, fly agaric.

Note!

Never are not introductory and the words are not separated by commas:

as if, as if, hardly, barely, supposedly, almost, even, precisely, after all, only, certainly, just, after all, necessarily, suddenly.

3. General rules for placing punctuation marks for introductory words, combinations and sentences.

1) Basically, introductory words, phrases and sentences are separated by commas:

I admit, he didn't make a good impression on me(Turgenev); Yes, you probably saw her at that evening(Turgenev).

2) If the introductory word comes after the listing of homogeneous members and precedes the generalizing word, then only a dash (without a comma) is placed before the introductory word, and a comma after it:

Books, brochures, magazines, newspapers - in a word, all types of printed materials lay on his desk in complete disarray.

If the sentence is complex, then a comma is placed before the dash based on the general rule for separating parts of a complex sentence:

The men drank, argued and laughed - in a word, the dinner was extremely cheerful (Pushkin).

3) When two introductory words meet, a comma is placed between them:

What good, perhaps, and gets married, out of tenderness of the soul...(Dostoevsky); So, in your opinion Should everyone, without exception, engage in physical labor?(Chekhov).

Intensifying particles in introductory words are not separated from them by a comma:

This is probably true, since there are no contraindications.

4) If the introductory word is at the beginning or end of a separate phrase (isolation, clarification, explanation, accession), then it is not separated from the phrase by any sign:

The dark, stocky captain calmly sips his pipe, apparently Italian or Greek (Kataev); Among my comrades there are such poets, lyrics or what?, preachers of love for people(Bitter).

Introductory words are not separated from a separate phrase, even if they are at the very beginning or the very end of the sentence:

Apparently fearing snow drifts, the group leader canceled the climb to the top of the mountain; Leave these new arguments, unconvincing and far-fetched of course.

If the introductory word is in the middle of a separate phrase, then it is separated by commas on a general basis:

The child, apparently frightened by the horse, ran up to his mother.

Note!

It is necessary to distinguish between cases when the introductory word is at the beginning of a separate phrase, and cases when it is located between two members of the sentence.

Wed: He had information seems to have been published recently (a separate phrase, the introductory word seems to be part of it). - In his hand he held a small, it seems, technical reference book(without the introductory word there would be no punctuation mark, since the definitions small And technical heterogeneous, the introductory word refers to the second of them).

In the presence of homogeneous definitions, when doubt may arise as to which of the homogeneous members, preceding or subsequent, the introductory word located between them refers to, the second definition, together with the introductory word, can form a clarifying construction.

This information was gleaned from new, seems special for thiscase compiled, directory(without an introductory word, there would be a comma between homogeneous definitions); Silence and grace reigned in this, obviously forgotten by God and people, corner of the earth(clarifying definition for the demonstrative pronoun this).

If the introductory word is at the beginning of a phrase enclosed in brackets, then it is separated by a comma:

Both messages (apparently recently received) have attracted widespread attention.

5) If there is a coordinating conjunction before the introductory word, then the punctuation will be like this. Introductory words are separated from the preceding coordinating conjunction by a comma if the introductory word can be omitted or rearranged elsewhere in the sentence without disturbing its structure (as a rule, with conjunctions and, but). If the removal or rearrangement of the introductory word is impossible, then a comma is not placed after the conjunction (usually with the conjunction a).

Wed: The entire circulation has already been printed, and the book will probably go on sale in a few days (The entire circulation has already been printed, and the book will go on sale in a few days.); This issue has already been considered several times, but, apparently, the final decision has not yet been made (This issue has already been considered several times, but a final decision has not yet been made.); It is not coal that can be used here, but rather liquid fuel (It is not coal that can be used here, but liquid fuel). - The calculations were made hastily and therefore inaccurately(impossible: The calculations were made hastily and inaccurately); Maybe everything will end well, or maybe vice versa(impossible: Maybe everything will end well, but vice versa).

Note!

A homogeneous member of a sentence that comes after introductory words and therefore, and therefore, is not isolated, that is, a comma is not placed after it.

For example: As a result, the strength of the electromagnetic field of incoming signals, and therefore the strength of reception, increases many times; This scheme, and therefore the entire project as a whole, needs to be verified.

6) After an connecting conjunction (at the beginning of an independent sentence), a comma is usually not placed, since the conjunction is closely adjacent to the introductory word that follows it:

And imagine, he still staged this performance; And I dare to assure you, the performance turned out wonderful; And what do you think, he achieved his goal; But one way or another, the decision was made.

Less often (when intonationally emphasizing introductory words or introductory sentences, when they are included in the text through a subordinating conjunction), after the connecting conjunction, a comma is placed before the introductory construction:

But, to my great chagrin, Shvabrin, usually condescending, decisively announced that my song was not good(Pushkin); And, as usual, they remembered only one good thing(Krymov).

7) Introductory words standing before the comparative phrase (with the conjunction as), the target phrase (with the conjunction so), etc., are separated from them based on the general rule:

All this seemed strange to me, as did others; The son thought for a minute, probably to collect his thoughts(usually in these cases the introductory word refers not to the previous, but to the subsequent part of the sentence).

8) Instead of a comma, a dash can be used in introductory words, phrases and sentences.

A dash is used in the following cases:

if the introductory phrase forms an incomplete construction (a word is missing that is restored from the context), then a dash is usually placed instead of one comma:

Chichikov ordered to stop for two reasons: on the one hand, to give the horses a rest, on the other, to rest and refresh himself.(Gogol) (the comma before the subordinate clause is absorbed by the dash);

a dash is placed before the introductory word as an additional sign after the comma if the introductory word stands between two parts of a complex sentence and in meaning can be attributed to either the preceding or the following part:

The dog disappeared - probably someone chased it out of the yard(the dash emphasizes that it is not “the dog probably disappeared”, but that “the dog was probably driven away”).

Sometimes an additional sign emphasizes cause-and-effect or connecting relationships between parts of a sentence:

It was difficult to verify his words - obviously, circumstances had changed a lot.

Sometimes a comma and a dash are placed before the introductory word at the beginning of a separate phrase, and a comma after it to avoid possible ambiguity:

Since there is still time, we will call someone additional to the exam - for example, those taking it again (let's say in the meaning of “suppose”, “say”);

a dash is placed before the introductory word after a comma if the part of the sentence following the introductory word summarizes what was said in the first part:

Chichikov asked with extreme precision who the city's governor was, who the chairman of the chamber was, who the prosecutor was - in a word, he did not miss a single significant person(Gogol);

using a dash, introductory sentences can be highlighted if they are quite common (have secondary members):

Suspect Yakov Lukich of sabotage - now it seemed to him- it wasn't easy(Sholokhov); Let the enemy leave, or - as they say in the solemn language of military regulations- letting him get away is a major nuisance for the scouts, almost a shame(Kazakevich).

How to start your thought beautifully? Unfortunately, many people abuse the phrase I think turning speech into an endless stream of “thoughts.” What to do to avoid this catastrophe? Yes, just study the common ones introductory words in English, choose the ten most interesting for you and start using it during discussions in English! A correctly chosen introductory phrase is already half of a successful conversation.

Introductory words in English. List of the most popular

Conventionally, I would divide all introductory words in English into several categories:

1. Phrases that can be a great start to a conversation or construct a competent answer to a question.

To tell the truth- frankly speaking

First of all- first of all, first of all

By the way- by the way, by the way

As far as I know- as far as I know

I am convinced- I'm sure, I'm convinced

I would like to stress – I would like to point out

I suppose\believe\consider\ guess- I suppose that…

If you ask me– if you ask me

To my way of thinking- in my opinion, it seems to me

As a matter of fact- in fact

It goes without saying - goes without saying

To begin with- to begin with, first; let's begin with

2. Introductory words that make the transition from one thought to another smoother and help keep the interlocutor’s attention.

In other words- in other words, in other words

As I have already mentioned- as I already said

On the one hand- On the one side

On the other hand- on the other side

Moreover- moreover, besides

In addition- Besides

As to- concerning

However- however

In this case- in this case

Although- Although

Nevertheless- nevertheless, however

3. Phrases that lead you to a beautiful end to the conversation.

To make a long story short\In a nutshell – in short, in a nutshell

That's why- That's why

Introductory words in English. List of the most popular

Conventionally, I would divide all introductory words in English into several categories:

1. Phrases that can be a great start to a conversation or construct a competent answer to a question.

To tell the truth- frankly speaking

First of all- first of all, first of all

By the way- by the way, by the way

As far as I know- as far as I know

I am convinced- I'm sure, I'm convinced

I would like to stress – I would like to point out

I suppose\believe\consider\ guess- I suppose that…

If you ask me– if you ask me

To my way of thinking- in my opinion, it seems to me

As a matter of fact- in fact

It goes without saying - goes without saying

To begin with- to begin with, first; let's begin with

2. Introductory words that make the transition from one thought to another smoother and help keep the interlocutor’s attention.

In other words- in other words, in other words

As I have already mentioned- as I already said

On the one hand- On the one side

On the other hand- on the other side

Moreover- moreover, besides

In addition- Besides

As to- concerning

However- however

In this case- in this case

Although- Although

Nevertheless- nevertheless, however

3. Phrases that lead you to a beautiful end to the conversation.

To make a long story short\In a nutshell – in short, in a nutshell

That's why- That's why

What could be cooler than using phrases that native speakers use?

After analyzing the IELTS language test, an interesting fact emerged: almost every new sentence must begin with an introductory phrase, which is standard for native speakers. And if we do not pay attention to the fact that we speak Russian in the intervals between the main sentences, then, being in America, such expressions will simply become your “must have”.

Here are a few standard phrases that will create the illusion of excellent language proficiency:

As far as I am concerned– As for me/in my opinion
As far as I know- As I know
I suppose- I think that...
To my mind- In my
I am convinced- I am convinced
First of all- First of all
On the one hand- On the one side
On the other hand- on the other side
By the way- By the way
Moreover- Besides
And so on- and so on
In other words- in other words
I agree with you- I agree with you
I am afraid- I'm afraid that…
From time to time- occasionally
To begin with- Let's begin with that…
It may seem- it could seem
Firstly- Firstly
Secondly- Secondly
Finally- finally
The first thing that needs to be said is- The first thing to say is that...
First and foremost- Firstly
It is true that- Is it true that…
The first reason for– first reason
It is often said that- They often say that...

This is only the smallest part of the introductory phrases that can and should be used in your speech. As such phrases become more common in speech, their length increases to 8-12 words. Please note that you can use such “inserts” whenever you see fit. In addition, introductory phrases in English will always help you:

keep up the conversation;
express your personal opinion;
emphasize the opinion of society;
end the conversation.

Have you ever wondered why people have difficulty communicating with each other? Because everyone’s level of proficiency in communication techniques is different. Sometimes it seems that you are simply not allowed to say a word, but in fact the interlocutor is simply preparing you for the fact that now it is your turn to express your personal opinion. Pay attention to this and don’t hesitate to “insert” your “2 cents.” Otherwise, foreigners may think that you have nothing to say or that you don’t want to communicate.

If the conversation is over, take the opportunity to use your favorite opening phrase to express your own opinion. For example, you can use the following expressions:

In conclusion, I can say that– In conclusion, I can say that...

To sum up, I would like to say that– To sum up, I would like to say that...

The arguments I have presented suggest that“The arguments I have presented suggest that...

And remember that introductory phrases will fill your speech with new meaning!