Admittedly concedes a weakness, arguably marks a claim others may dispute, and regrettably expresses formal regret about a fact.
Signaling your stance
Not "Obviously, this interpretation is correct." — say "Arguably, this interpretation is correct.". For a claim others may dispute, use arguably, not obviously.
Try it: Hiroshi: Should we say that we had no time for follow-up interviews? Camila: Yes. Write: ___, there were no follow-up interviews; the survey still answers our question. Choose the word for the blank. (Admittedly / Arguably / Crucially) Answer: Admittedly — Camila admits a gap before standing by the survey, and Admittedly is the marker that concedes a weakness.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
admittedly
/ədˈmɪtɪdli/
Admittedly, the sample was small, but the pattern appeared in every subgroup.
arguably
/ˈɑrɡjuəbli/
Arguably, this interpretation challenges the assumptions in the original model.
regrettably
/rɪˈɡrɛtəbli/
Regrettably, the data on long-term outcomes were incomplete.
Marking importance and scope
Crucially marks the key point, broadly speaking limits a general claim, and significantly at the start says a fact is telling.
Try it: Camila: Do all six departments show the same trend? Hiroshi: Not all of them. ___, they do, but two are exceptions. Choose the words for the blank. (Broadly speaking / Crucially / Regrettably) Answer: Broadly speaking — A general claim with exceptions needs a limit, and Broadly speaking limits how far the claim reaches.
Try it: Hiroshi: What's the one point the reviewers must not miss? Camila: The cost. ___, the program pays for itself in two years. Choose the word for the blank. (Crucially / Broadly speaking / Admittedly) Answer: Crucially — The point the reviewers must not miss is the key point, and Crucially marks the key point.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
crucially
/ˈkruʃəli/
Crucially, the second dataset confirms the trend observed in the first.
significantly
/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəntli/
Significantly, attendance improved once the smaller classes were introduced.
broadly speaking
/ˈbrɔdli ˈspikɪŋ/
Broadly speaking, the policy improved access, although outcomes still vary by region.