Focusing Adverbs

What are focusing adverbs?

Focusing adverbs highlight a particular part of a sentence and relate it to other possible alternatives.

Their position can therefore affect what part of the sentence is being emphasized.

Bara and endast mean only and limit what is being said to the focused person, thing, or action.

Hon dricker bara vatten.She only drinks water.

Endast is generally more formal or more frequently used in writing.

Endast personal.Staff only.

Också and även add another person or thing to something that is already true.

Lisa kommer också.Lisa is coming too.

Även can sound slightly more formal than också, especially in everyday conversation.

Det blir även regn på sina håll.There will also be rain in some areas.

Åtminstone means at least and singles something out as the minimum that can be said to be true.

Vi kan åtminstone försöka.We can at least try.

Till och med corresponds to even and highlights something as surprising or less expected.

Till och med barnen förstod skämtet.Even the children understood the joke.

Han jobbar till och med på söndagar.He even works on Sundays.

These words often stand close to the part of the sentence they focus on. Moving them can therefore change what the sentence emphasizes.