Textual vs Interpersonal Adjuncts

Martin, Matthiessen & Painter (2010: 30):

It is easy to confuse initial Adjuncts which have a textual, linking function and those which have an interpersonal, modal function (see further Chapter 3). Some of the Adjuncts most frequently confused are given below (See IFG2:49, IFG3: 82 for fuller lists):

 

Blogger Comments:

This is potentially misleading. In fact, even in initial position, the Adjunct in fact can function either textually or interpersonally. Halliday & Matthiessen (2014: 614-5):

Certain items that serve as ‘elaborating’ conjunctions that are ‘internal’ only in orientation may also serve as modal adverbs (e.g. actually, in fact, indeed, as a matter of fact), functioning either as mood Adjuncts of intensity or as comment Adjuncts of factuality.