Fronted adverbial
An adverbial element (word or phrase) placed at the beginning of a clause, before the main verb. Fronting emphasises the adverbial and creates varied sentence rhythm.
Real World
Charles Dickens opens A Tale of Two Cities with fronted adverbials — 'In the best of times, in the worst of times' — placing circumstance before action to establish tone and rhythm before the reader meets any character.
Exam Focus
When spotting a fronted adverbial, always comment on what is being foregrounded and why the writer prioritises that information.
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