What is a parenthetical stance marker?
A parenthetical stance marker is a word or short phrase within a clause that comments on its content. It may evaluate it, present it as expected or surprising, or emphasise the speaker's sincerity or caution. It does not describe how the action happens or establish a logical link to the preceding sentence.
Removing the marker helps identify the parenthesis: the basic sentence remains grammatically complete. More than emotion may disappear, however. Presumably and arguably can qualify certainty, so removing them can make the claim sound more categorical.
This rule concerns insertions within a clause: after the subject, after an auxiliary or be, or after a conjunction. Sentence-initial markers and more complex evaluative constructions belong to neighbouring topics.
Our supplier, unsurprisingly, raised its prices again.
Our supplier, unsurprisingly, raised its prices again.
The main fact is the price increase. Unsurprisingly adds the assessment that it was expected.
The trial has, thankfully, ended without incident.
The trial has, thankfully, ended without incident.
Thankfully expresses the speaker's relief, not the manner in which the trial ended.
Her second novel was, to be fair, better than expected.
Her second novel was, to be fair, better than expected.
To be fair is also a parenthetical marker, qualifying the statement in the interests of fairness.
Paired punctuation: why two commas rather than one?
An insertion has both a beginning and an end, so it needs punctuation on both sides. A common mistake is to use only the closing comma or only the opening comma.
Check by covering the insertion and its enclosing punctuation. If the remaining sentence is complete and contains no stray commas, the insertion has been punctuated correctly.
A lone comma between subject and verb does not form a parenthetical insertion: it incorrectly separates the two.
subject + , + parenthetical marker + , + rest of the sentence
- subject / S —
- The grammatical subject: who or what the clause is about; the verb agrees with it. In The book was written, the book is the subject, although someone else does the action.
The delegates, perhaps predictably, left before dinner.
The delegates, perhaps predictably, left before dinner.
Both commas surround the complete phrase perhaps predictably.
Her review was, honestly, a letdown.
Her review was, honestly, a letdown.
The comma after was opens the insertion, and the comma after honestly closes it.
Three ways to enclose a marker: commas, dashes and parentheses
The same words can be presented in three ways. Commas are the least emphatic, integrating the marker into the sentence's flow. Dashes add emphasis. Parentheses present it as a passing aside, set further into the background.
Use matching punctuation on both sides: two commas, two dashes or a pair of parentheses. A dash paired with a comma, or an unclosed parenthesis, leaves the insertion incorrectly enclosed.
Commas are the standard choice in business and academic writing. Choose dashes or parentheses deliberately when you want to emphasise or background the comment.
The panel, inevitably, disagreed.
The panel, inevitably, disagreed.
Commas provide the gentlest separation.
The panel — inevitably — disagreed.
The panel — inevitably — disagreed.
Dashes emphasise the marker.
The panel (inevitably) disagreed.
The panel (inevitably) disagreed.
Parentheses make the marker a passing aside.
Where does the marker sit in the clause?
Useful positions include after the subject, after an auxiliary or be, and sometimes after a conjunction. The insertion temporarily separates connected elements, so check that readers can easily reconstruct the basic sentence.
For clear instructional writing, prefer the boundaries between major elements. An insertion inside a noun phrase is possible — a, frankly, absurd proposal — but needs clear punctuation and can be harder to read.
After a conjunction, explicitly set off an insertion with two commas: but, sadly, nobody came. Integrated but sadly nobody came is also possible. Avoid leaving a single stray comma that separates the subject from its verb.
The auditors, naturally, requested every invoice.
The auditors, naturally, requested every invoice.
After the subject.
The auditors had, naturally, requested every invoice.
The auditors had, naturally, requested every invoice.
After the auxiliary verb.
The bridge is, evidently, safe.
The bridge is, evidently, safe.
After be.
The route was short, but, sadly, nobody took it.
The route was short, but, sadly, nobody took it.
After the conjunction.
Stance marker or adverb of manner?
Position and punctuation help distinguish commentary from manner, but do not determine meaning on their own. The plan unfortunately failed can contain a comment without commas. Here we practise explicitly set-off parenthetical insertions.
Ask 'how?'. If the word answers that question, it describes manner and does not require enclosing commas. If it expresses what the speaker thinks about the proposition, it is a stance marker.
The guide, wisely, avoided the narrow path.
The guide, wisely, avoided the narrow path.
The speaker approves of the action.
The guide chose the path wisely.
The guide chose the path wisely.
Wisely describes how the guide made the choice.
The nurse, frankly, doubted the figures.
The nurse, frankly, doubted the figures.
Frankly comments on how the speaker is presenting the statement.
What attitude does the marker express?
Expectedness: unsurprisingly, predictably, naturally, inevitably, understandably. Evaluation of the event: fortunately, thankfully, mercifully, regrettably, sadly, unfortunately. Surprise: surprisingly, curiously, oddly, strangely.
The speaker's sincerity: frankly, candidly, honestly. Concession: admittedly. Confidence in the statement's truth: undoubtedly, evidently, apparently, presumably, arguably. Arguably and presumably express a cautious assessment.
The marker can be a phrase: perhaps inevitably, not entirely unexpectedly, quite understandably. Its modifier softens or qualifies the stance, and the complete phrase sits between the same paired punctuation marks.
Prices, predictably, fell after the holidays.
Prices, predictably, fell after the holidays.
Expectedness.
The storm, mercifully, missed the village.
The storm, mercifully, missed the village.
The speaker's relief.
Her plan was, arguably, the better of the two.
Her plan was, arguably, the better of the two.
A qualified assessment rather than an unqualified assertion.
Support, quite understandably, was lukewarm.
Support, quite understandably, was lukewarm.
A multiword stance marker with a modifier.
Economy and register
Parenthetical stance markers are characteristic of writing in which the author steps back to comment on facts. One or two well-placed comments work; a string of them can turn a paragraph into a pile of evaluations.
In speech, pauses and intonation can mark an insertion; writing uses commas, dashes or parentheses. Integrated use without separation is also possible, but do not mix it with an incomplete punctuation pair.
Avoid adding a marker where the fact speaks for itself. Neutral reporting with one precise insertion is stronger than three successive comments.
The library has, thankfully, kept its late hours.
The library has, thankfully, kept its late hours.
One marker in the sentence.
Attendance fell in winter; the board, predictably, blamed the weather.
Attendance fell in winter; the board, predictably, blamed the weather.
The first clause is neutral; the second contains one stance marker.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:The mayor unfortunately, cancelled the event.
Correct:The mayor, unfortunately, cancelled the event.
The closing comma is present, but the opening comma is missing. The insertion needs a pair.
Incorrect:The plan was, sadly cancelled before spring.
Correct:The plan was, sadly, cancelled before spring.
The insertion has an opening comma but lacks a closing comma.
Incorrect:The results — oddly, matched the forecast.
Correct:The results — oddly — matched the forecast.
The insertion opens with a dash and closes with a comma. Use matching punctuation.
Incorrect:Her team (frankly ignored the advice.
Correct:Her team (frankly) ignored the advice.
The opening parenthesis has no closing partner.
Incorrect:The committee has, not entirely unexpectedly postponed the vote.
Correct:The committee has, not entirely unexpectedly, postponed the vote.
A multiword marker also needs a closing comma.