Parenthetical Words
Words like žinoma (of course) and beje (by the way) add a comment to the sentence. Put commas around them: Jis, žinoma, sutiko.
How It Works
1. Common parenthetical words.
- žinoma (of course), be abejo (no doubt)
- beje (by the way)
- be to (besides, also)
- deja (unfortunately), laimei (luckily)
- atrodo, rodos, matyt (it seems, apparently)
- pavyzdžiui (for example), mano nuomone (in my opinion)
2. Where the commas go.
- At the start: Beje, ar girdėjai naujieną?
- In the middle: Jis, žinoma, sutiko.
- At the end: Ji laimės, be abejo.
3. Same word, different job. Some of these words can also be a normal part of the sentence, and then there are no commas. Autobusas, atrodo, vėluoja. (The bus seems to be late.) Here atrodo is a comment. Tu atrodai pavargęs. (You look tired.) Here atrodai is the verb. See Seeming With Atrodyti. On its own, Žinoma! is simply an answer: Ar ateisi? – Žinoma! (Are you coming? Of course!)
4. Words with optional commas. Words that show how sure you are, such as galbūt, turbūt and tikriausiai, are usually written without commas: Jis turbūt pavargo. You may add commas if you want them to stand out.
5. Say matyt. For apparently, use matyt. Matomai is not used this way in standard Lithuanian.
Examples (6)
- Jis, žinoma, sutiko.
He agreed, of course.
In the middle of the sentence, žinoma has a comma on each side.
- Beje, ar girdėjai naujieną?
By the way, have you heard the news?
At the start, a comma follows the parenthetical word.
- Butas nebrangus. Be to, jis arti centro.
The flat is not expensive. Besides, it is close to the centre.
Be to adds one more reason.
- Deja, bilietų nebeliko.
Unfortunately, there are no tickets left.
Deja shows that the speaker is sorry about the news.
- Autobusas, atrodo, vėluoja.
The bus seems to be late.
Atrodo is a comment here, so it is set off with commas.
- Ji laimės, be abejo.
She will win, no doubt.
At the end of the sentence, a comma comes before the parenthetical phrase.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out the commas around a parenthetical word.
Jis žinoma sutiko.Jis, žinoma, sutiko.A parenthetical word in the middle of a sentence needs a comma on each side.
Leaving out the comma after a parenthetical word at the start.
Beje ar girdėjai naujieną?Beje, ar girdėjai naujieną?At the start of a sentence, a comma follows the parenthetical word.
Using matomai to mean apparently.
Šiandien, matomai, lis.Šiandien, matyt, lis.Matomai is not used as a parenthetical word in standard Lithuanian. Say matyt.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- gal / galbūt / turbūt / tikriausiaiMaybe and Probably
These words of likelihood usually go without commas, unlike parenthetical words.
Level 2 - atrodoSeeming with Atrodyti
Atrodo can be the verb seem or a parenthetical comment set off with commas.
Level 3 - Commas Before Subordinate Clauses
Another comma rule: commas mark off subordinate clauses.
Level 4 - vis dėlto / vis tiekNevertheless and Anyway
Vis dėlto is another linking word, and its commas are optional.
Level 4 - jukAfter All with Juk
Juk also adds the speaker's view, but it is a particle and normally appears without commas.
Level 4 - kita vertusOn the Other Hand
Kita vertus (on the other hand) is a parenthetical phrase set off with commas.
Level 5
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Parenthetical Words in Bubblegum
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