Adverbs as short responses (definitely,certainly)

We often use someadverbs in speaking as short responses to show attitude or viewpoint:

A:

You know DVDs? Can you record onto them?

B:

Absolutely.

A:

Dr Kahn is very nice. He’s very interested in his patients.

B:

Oh, do you think so?

A:

Definitely.

A:

There might be a film on at 2 pm that we could watch.

B:

Yeah,probably.

A:

Mandy isn’t going because she just doesn’t like Rick.

B:

Exactly.

A:

Maybe she bought two of the same sweaters in case something happened to one.

B:

Yeah,possibly.

A:

It should be called ‘English Test’ not ‘Test of English’.

B:

Precisely.

We often usenot reallyin this way to soften ano-answer:

A:

Do you not like chocolate?

B:

No,not really.