Attitude and viewpoint
We often use some adverbs 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 use not really in this way to soften a no-answer:
A:Do you not like chocolate?
B:No, not really.
Replies to requests
We use certainly and of course typically as a reply to a request for a service or favour:
A:Can I have the bill please?
B:Certainly.
[in a clothes shop]
A:Is it OK if I try these on?
B:Of course.
Intensifying adverbs
We often use adverbs that make the meaning stronger (very, extremely, really) as a short response:
A:He’s an intelligent dog, isn’t he?
B:Yes, very/extremely/highly.