Mastering Adverbs of Degree: Intensify Your English

Adverbs of degree are essential tools in the English language for expressing the intensity or extent of an action, adjective, or another adverb. Understanding and using them correctly can significantly enhance the precision and impact of your communication. This article provides a comprehensive guide to adverbs of degree, covering their definition, structure, types, usage rules, common mistakes, and advanced applications. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this resource will help you master adverbs of degree and elevate your English proficiency.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of Adverbs of Degree
3. Structural Breakdown
4. Types and Categories of Adverbs of Degree
   • Intensifiers (Boosting Adverbs)
   • Diminishers (Weakening Adverbs)
   • Approximators
5. Examples of Adverbs of Degree
6. Usage Rules for Adverbs of Degree
7. Common Mistakes with Adverbs of Degree
8. Practice Exercises
9. Advanced Topics
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
11. Conclusion

Introduction

Adverbs of degree add nuance and precision to our language. They allow us to communicate not just *what* is happening, but *how much* or *to what extent*. From saying something is “slightly” different to stating it’s “completely” wrong, these adverbs provide essential shades of meaning. Mastering their use is crucial for both written and spoken English, allowing for more accurate and impactful self-expression. This article will guide you through the intricacies of adverbs of degree, providing clear explanations, ample examples, and helpful exercises to solidify your understanding.

Definition of Adverbs of Degree

An adverb of degree is a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate the intensity or extent of an action, quality, or manner. These adverbs answer the question “to what extent?” or “how much?”. They provide information about the level or degree to which something is true or being done. Adverbs of degree are essential for conveying precise meaning and adding detail to sentences.

For example, in the sentence “She is extremely talented,” the adverb “extremely” modifies the adjective “talented,” indicating a high degree of talent. Similarly, in “He almost finished the race,” the adverb “almost” modifies the verb “finished,” indicating that he came close to completing the race.

Structural Breakdown

Adverbs of degree are typically placed before the word they modify. This is especially true when they modify adjectives or other adverbs. When modifying verbs, their placement can be more flexible but often precedes the main verb. Understanding this placement helps to ensure clarity and correct grammar in your sentences.

Here’s a general rule of thumb: Adverb of Degree + Adjective/Adverb/Verb. However, there are exceptions depending on the specific adverb and the verb tense used.

Consider these examples:

• Adverb + Adjective: The coffee is too hot.
• Adverb + Adverb: He ran incredibly quickly.
• Adverb + Verb: I nearly missed the train.

In compound verb tenses, the adverb of degree usually goes after the first auxiliary verb. For instance: “I have almost finished my work.” Here, “almost” comes after “have” and before “finished.”

Types and Categories of Adverbs of Degree

Adverbs of degree can be broadly categorized into three main types based on the intensity they convey:

1. Intensifiers (Boosting Adverbs): These adverbs increase the intensity of the word they modify.
2. Diminishers (Weakening Adverbs): These adverbs decrease the intensity.
3. Approximators: These adverbs indicate a degree that is close to something but not exact.

Intensifiers (Boosting Adverbs)

Intensifiers, also known as boosting adverbs, are used to strengthen or emphasize the meaning of the words they modify. Common intensifiers include: very, extremely, incredibly, really, totally, completely, absolutely, utterly, highly, and deeply.

For example:

• She is very happy.
• The movie was extremely interesting.
• He is incredibly talented.

Diminishers (Weakening Adverbs)

Diminishers, or weakening adverbs, are used to lessen or soften the impact of the words they modify. Examples of diminishers include: slightly, a little, somewhat, kind of, a bit, barely, hardly, and scarcely.

For example:

• I am slightly tired.
• The food was somewhat bland.
• He barely noticed her.

Approximators

Approximators indicate that something is close to a certain degree but not exactly. Common approximators include: almost, nearly, practically, and virtually.

For example:

• I almost missed the bus.
• The project is nearly complete.
• It’s practically impossible.

Examples of Adverbs of Degree

Let’s explore various examples of adverbs of degree, categorized by their type, to further illustrate their usage in different contexts. The following tables provide a comprehensive list of examples for each category.

The table below showcases examples of Intensifiers modifying adjectives, adverbs, and verbs. Notice how these adverbs increase the impact and intensity of the words they modify.

Adverb of Degree (Intensifier)	Example Sentence
Very	She is very intelligent.
Extremely	The weather is extremely hot today.
Incredibly	He played the guitar incredibly well.
Really	I really enjoyed the concert.
Totally	I am totally exhausted after the workout.
Completely	The puzzle is completely finished.
Absolutely	Her performance was absolutely stunning.
Utterly	I am utterly disappointed with the service.
Highly	This book is highly recommended.
Deeply	She was deeply moved by the story.
Awfully	It’s awfully kind of you to help.
Terribly	I’m terribly sorry for the mistake.
Exceptionally	He is an exceptionally gifted musician.
Remarkably	She is remarkably resilient.
Significantly	The company’s profits increased significantly this year.
Notably	The project was notably successful.
Particularly	I am particularly interested in this topic.
Decidedly	The atmosphere was decidedly festive.
Genuinely	I am genuinely happy for you.
Intensely	He felt the pressure intensely.
Profoundly	The experience affected her profoundly.
Seriously	Are you seriously considering that offer?
Quite	The movie was quite enjoyable.
So	I am so grateful for your help.

The following table provides examples of Diminishers. Observe how these adverbs soften or reduce the intensity of the words they modify, creating a less forceful or emphatic statement.

Adverb of Degree (Diminisher)	Example Sentence
Slightly	I am slightly concerned about the meeting.
A Little	She is a little nervous about the presentation.
Somewhat	The food was somewhat disappointing.
Kind Of	I am kind of tired today.
A Bit	It’s a bit cold in here.
Barely	He barely made it to the station on time.
Hardly	I hardly know him.
Scarcely	There was scarcely any food left.
Marginally	The situation improved marginally.
Minimally	The impact was minimally felt.
Partly	I am partly responsible for the error.
Remotely	I am not even remotely interested.
Sparsely	The garden was sparsely populated with flowers.
Infrequently	I see him infrequently.
Moderately	The weather is moderately warm.
Relatively	The task was relatively easy.
Somewhile	I waited somewhile for the bus.
Tinged	The sky was tinged with pink.
Faintly	I faintly remember him.
Lightly	It was lightly raining.
Slightingly	The company slightingly improved the software.
Hesitantly	She hesitantly accepted the gift.
Tentatively	They tentatively agreed to the terms.
Casually	He casually mentioned the incident.

The subsequent table displays examples of Approximators. These adverbs convey a sense of nearness or closeness to a particular degree or state, without being exact.

Adverb of Degree (Approximator)	Example Sentence
Almost	I almost missed my flight.
Nearly	The project is nearly finished.
Practically	It is practically impossible to solve this problem.
Virtually	Virtually all the tickets are sold out.
About	There were about 50 people at the party.
Around	I’ll be there around 6 PM.
Close To	The temperature is close to freezing.
Approaching	The deadline is approaching quickly.
Roughly	I have roughly estimated the cost.
More Or Less	The work is more or less complete.
In the Vicinity Of	The suspect was seen in the vicinity of the bank.
Just About	I have just about finished reading the book.
Essentially	The two ideas are essentially the same.
Basically	Basically, we need more funding.
Quasi	The organization is quasi-governmental.
In Effect	The new law is in effect now.
So To Speak	He is, so to speak, the heart of the team.
Thereabouts	The cost will be $100 thereabouts.
In General	In general, people are happy with the changes.
For the Most Part	For the most part, the event was a success.
Proximately	The explosion happened proximately to the building.
Bordering On	His behavior was bordering on rude.
Verging On	The project was verging on completion.
Circa	The painting was created circa 1800.

Usage Rules for Adverbs of Degree

Using adverbs of degree correctly involves understanding their placement, the words they modify, and the context in which they are used. Here are some key rules to follow:

1. Placement: As mentioned earlier, adverbs of degree generally precede the adjective, adverb, or verb they modify.
2. Choosing the Right Adverb: Select an adverb that accurately reflects the intended intensity. For example, use “extremely” for a high degree and “slightly” for a low degree.
3. Avoiding Overuse: While adverbs of degree can enhance your writing, avoid overusing them, as this can make your sentences sound cluttered or repetitive.
4. Context Matters: The appropriateness of an adverb of degree depends on the context. Consider the tone and purpose of your writing when selecting an adverb.
5. With Auxiliary Verbs: In sentences with auxiliary verbs (e.g., “have,” “be,” “do”), the adverb of degree usually comes after the first auxiliary verb.

For example:

• Incorrect: She talented very is.
• Correct: She is very talented.
• Incorrect: I missed almost the bus.
• Correct: I almost missed the bus.
• Incorrect: I have finished nearly my work.
• Correct: I have nearly finished my work.

Common Mistakes with Adverbs of Degree

One of the most common errors is incorrect placement of the adverb. Remember, adverbs of degree should generally precede the word they modify. Another frequent mistake is overusing adverbs, which can weaken your writing. Additionally, choosing the wrong adverb to express the intended degree can lead to miscommunication.

Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
He is intelligent very.	He is very intelligent.	Adverb “very” should precede the adjective “intelligent.”
I enjoyed really the movie.	I really enjoyed the movie.	Adverb “really” should precede the verb “enjoyed.”
She is a little very tired.	She is a little tired. OR She is very tired.	Avoid using contradictory adverbs together.
The food was extremely slightly spicy.	The food was extremely spicy. OR The food was slightly spicy.	Avoid using contradictory adverbs together.
I completely somewhat agree.	I completely agree. OR I somewhat agree.	Avoid using contradictory adverbs together.
I nearly completely finished.	I nearly finished. OR I completely finished.	Avoid using contradictory adverbs together.
I am so very happy.	I am so happy. OR I am very happy.	Avoid using too many adverbs of degree to describe one thing.
It was utterly a bit cold.	It was utterly cold. OR It was a bit cold.	Avoid using contradictory adverbs together.
She hardly completely understood.	She hardly understood. OR She completely understood.	Avoid using contradictory adverbs together.
He barely incredibly tried.	He barely tried. OR He incredibly tried.	Avoid using contradictory adverbs together.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of adverbs of degree with these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate adverb of degree from the options provided.

Exercise 1: Choose the correct adverb of degree to complete each sentence.

Question	Options	Answer
1. She is ______ talented.	(a) slightly (b) very (c) almost	(b) very
2. I ______ finished the book.	(a) completely (b) barely (c) almost	(c) almost
3. The food was ______ spicy.	(a) extremely (b) a little (c) hardly	(a) extremely
4. He ______ noticed the mistake.	(a) really (b) barely (c) totally	(b) barely
5. I am ______ tired.	(a) completely (b) somewhat (c) incredibly	(b) somewhat
6. They are ______ ready to go.	(a) nearly (b) slightly (c) deeply	(a) nearly
7. The movie was ______ interesting.	(a) a bit (b) extremely (c) scarcely	(b) extremely
8. I ______ agree with you.	(a) hardly (b) totally (c) a little	(b) totally
9. She was ______ moved by the story.	(a) deeply (b) slightly (c) practically	(a) deeply
10. He ______ made it to the meeting on time.	(a) almost (b) utterly (c) barely	(c) barely

Exercise 2: Rewrite the following sentences using a more appropriate adverb of degree to enhance their impact.

Original Sentence	Revised Sentence
1. She is a bit good at singing.	She is very good at singing.
2. The weather is slightly hot.	The weather is extremely hot.
3. I nearly know him.	I hardly know him.
4. He is very bad at playing the piano.	He is utterly bad at playing the piano.
5. I am somewhat happy.	I am deeply happy.
6. She almost finished the race.	She practically finished the race.
7. The task was a little easy.	The task was relatively easy.
8. I totally understand the problem.	I completely understand the problem.
9. The service was slightly disappointing.	The service was extremely disappointing.
10. He is a little interested in the topic.	He is particularly interested in the topic.

Exercise 3: Identify the adverb of degree in each sentence and state whether it is an intensifier, diminisher, or approximator.

Sentence	Adverb of Degree	Type
1. She is incredibly talented.	Incredibly	Intensifier
2. The food was slightly bland.	Slightly	Diminisher
3. I almost missed the train.	Almost	Approximator
4. He barely noticed her.	Barely	Diminisher
5. The project is nearly complete.	Nearly	Approximator
6. I am deeply moved by your words.	Deeply	Intensifier
7. She is somewhat nervous about the exam.	Somewhat	Diminisher
8. It is practically impossible.	Practically	Approximator
9. The coffee is very hot.	Very	Intensifier
10. He is a little tired.	A little	Diminisher

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of adverb usage and their impact on sentence meaning is crucial. This includes recognizing how adverbs of degree can affect the tone and style of writing, and how they interact with other grammatical elements.

Here are some advanced considerations:

• Subjectivity: The degree of intensity expressed by an adverb can be subjective and depend on the speaker’s or writer’s perspective.
• Formal vs. Informal Usage: Some adverbs are more appropriate for formal writing (e.g., “highly,” “significantly”), while others are better suited for informal contexts (e.g., “really,” “kind of”).
• Emphasis: Adverbs can be strategically placed for emphasis. For example, “I absolutely refuse” is more emphatic than “I refuse absolutely.”
• Combining Adverbs: While it’s generally best to avoid it, you can occasionally combine adverbs of degree for very specific effects, but be careful not to create awkward or contradictory phrasing.

Advanced learners should also focus on expanding their vocabulary of adverbs of degree and practicing their usage in a variety of writing and speaking contexts. Pay attention to how native speakers use these adverbs and try to incorporate them into your own language use.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some frequently asked questions about adverbs of degree:

1. What is the difference between an adverb of degree and an adverb of manner?

   An adverb of degree indicates the intensity or extent of something, answering “to what extent?” or “how much?”. An adverb of manner describes *how* an action is performed, answering “in what manner?”. For example, “She sings beautifully” (manner) vs. “She is very beautiful” (degree).

2. Can an adverb of degree modify another adverb of degree?

   While less common, it is possible. For example, “He ran incredibly quickly,” where “incredibly” modifies “quickly” (an adverb of manner), or “He was somewhat unusually late,” where “somewhat” modifies “unusually” (an adverb of manner describing the lateness).

3. Where should I place an adverb of degree in a sentence with multiple verbs?

   In sentences with auxiliary verbs, the adverb of degree typically comes after the first auxiliary verb. For example, “I have almost finished my work.” If there’s only one verb, it generally precedes that verb.

4. Are there any adverbs that can function as both adverbs of degree and adverbs of manner?

   Yes, some adverbs can function in multiple ways depending on the context. For example, “He worked hard” (“hard” as adverb of manner) vs. “He was hard hit by the news” (“hard” as adverb of degree).

5. Is it okay to use multiple adverbs of degree in one sentence?

   Using multiple adverbs of degree in one sentence can often make the sentence sound awkward or redundant. It’s generally best to use one well-chosen adverb to convey the intended intensity.

6. How can I improve my use of adverbs of degree in my writing?

   Pay attention to how native speakers use adverbs of degree. Read widely and notice the variety of adverbs used and their placement. Practice using these adverbs in your own writing and speaking, and ask for feedback from others.

7. What’s the difference between ‘quite’ and ‘very’?

   ‘Quite’ can be tricky. In British English, it sometimes means ‘somewhat’ or ‘fairly,’ a diminisher. In American English, it usually means ‘very’ or ‘completely,’ an intensifier. Pay attention to context!

8. How do I avoid overusing adverbs of degree?

   Focus on using strong verbs and descriptive nouns instead of relying too heavily on adverbs. For example, instead of saying “He ran very fast,” you could say “He sprinted.” Or instead of saying “She was very angry,” you could say “She was furious.”

Conclusion

Mastering adverbs of degree is vital for expressing nuances and precision in English. By understanding their types, usage rules, and common pitfalls, you can significantly enhance the clarity and impact of your communication. Remember to pay attention to context, avoid overuse, and practice regularly to solidify your understanding. With consistent effort, you’ll be able to use adverbs of degree effectively and confidently in both written and spoken English.

Continue to explore the English language, focusing on how different grammatical elements work together to create meaning. The more you practice and experiment, the more proficient you will become. Happy learning!