What are the introductory words for?

The term "introductory words" speaks for itself and clarifies: these words or combinations are not part of the harmonious structure of the sentence, but are included in the statement additionally. Linguist A. Peshkovsky figuratively remarked that such constructions are inherently foreign and internally alien to the proposal that sheltered them.

Performing in the utterance, mainly, evaluative function, introductory words are necessary. They make speech more expressive and logically connected.

Introductory words are words or phrases that occupy an autonomous (independent) position in a sentence. They themselves are not members of a sentence of which they are a part, and are not directly related to the other members of the sentence by syntactic link. Introductory words are used to express the relationship to the message.

By their meaning or purpose, for which they are used in the sentence, the introductory words are divided into several groups.

1) Help the speaker to clarify the degree of reliability of his message.

Such words are used to express a greater degree of conviction: of course, certainly, no doubt, certainly, certainly, no doubt, indeed.

To express a lesser degree of confidence (rather an assumption), use: it seems, probably, obviously, perhaps, perhaps.

2) Report the source of the statement or clarify to whom exactly the idea belongs: according to the author, as indicated in the document, how to say it in such cases, according to (someone), according to (whom exactly), according to the message (whom), in my opinion, in my opinion, it is known.

3) They indicate the order or sequence of thoughts and their connection, and also emphasize the sentence: first, by the way, so, therefore, on the contrary, finally, it means, on the contrary, for example, in addition, in this way, by the way.

4) They characterize the way of writing thoughts or make an assessment of speech: in a word, in other words, it is better to say, in short, roughly speaking, or rather, more precisely, in fact, in other words.

5) Express the degree of customary or unusual statements: happened, as a rule, as usual, as usual, happens.

6) They show various feelings and emotions (pleasure, disapproval, condemnation): fortunately, unfortunately, to surprise, to shame, it’s an amazing thing, like trouble, like a sin.

7) Attract interest and focus the interlocutor on the message or cause its certain reaction:

imagine, listen, notice, agree, imagine, you know, do not believe, confess, understand me correctly, frankly, I assure you, between us, except for jokes.

When pronouncing, introductory words and combinations are distinguished by intonation and pause, and on the letter - by commas, less often by dashes.

Do not forget that excessive use of introductory words is a stylistic shortcoming, and intrusive use turns them into parasitic words. The frequent pronunciation of words such as “you understand, ” “you know, ” “so to speak, ” make speech slurred and tongue-tied.

• D.E. Rosenthal "Handbook of the Russian language", chapter XXVI.
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