Fronted Adverbials: gorilla
The Grammar Bit!
Read the three scintillating sentences opposite. They each begin with a fronted adverbial (bold).
A fronted adverbial can be a single word, a phrase or a clause. It appears at the front of a sentence and can describe any of the following:
- when the action took place
- how the action took place
- where the action took place
- how often the action took place.
Notice how a comma is normally placed after a fronted adverbial to separate it from the rest of the sentence.
With your talk partner, take turns saying each sentence aloud with the adverbial at the end. Does this alter the meaning of the sentence?
Scintillating Sentences
1) In the thick cloud forest, an intimidating silverback was beating his chest.
2) As the youngster swung on a vine, the silverback headed off for some peace and quiet.
3) Gently, the mountain of muscle lifted the youngster off his back.
Did you know?
A silverback may stand upright, throw things, charge, pound his huge chest and unleash a frightening roar when challenged by another male.