Intensifiers: Mastering Adverbs of Degree for Emphasis

Understanding adverbs of degree, also known as intensifiers, is crucial for adding nuance and precision to your English. These adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating the intensity or degree to which something is true. Mastering intensifiers allows you to express yourself more effectively, making your writing and speech more engaging and impactful. This article provides a comprehensive guide to adverbs of degree, covering their definition, types, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will help you confidently use intensifiers to enhance your communication skills.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of Adverbs of Degree
• Structural Breakdown
• Types and Categories of Adverbs of Degree
  • Complete Intensifiers
  • Partial Intensifiers
  • Diminishing Intensifiers
• Examples of Adverbs of Degree
• Usage Rules for Adverbs of Degree
• Common Mistakes with Adverbs of Degree
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Definition of Adverbs of Degree

Adverbs of degree, often called intensifiers, are words that modify other words to indicate the intensity, extent, or degree of a quality, action, or thing. They primarily modify adjectives, adverbs, and verbs. By using adverbs of degree, you can express how much or to what extent something is true. For example, instead of simply saying “The movie was good,” you can use an intensifier to say “The movie was very good,” indicating a higher level of enjoyment. Understanding and using adverbs of degree correctly is essential for precise and expressive communication.

Adverbs of degree belong to the larger class of adverbs, which are words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. However, adverbs of degree have a specific function: to express the intensity or degree of something. They can be classified based on the level of intensity they convey, ranging from complete intensifiers (e.g., absolutely, completely) to diminishing intensifiers (e.g., slightly, somewhat). The context in which they are used significantly affects their meaning and impact.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of sentences using adverbs of degree typically involves placing the adverb before the word it modifies. This is especially true when the adverb modifies an adjective or another adverb. However, when modifying a verb, the placement can vary depending on the specific adverb and the verb’s tense. Understanding these structural patterns is crucial for constructing grammatically correct and clear sentences.

Here are some common structural patterns:

• Adverb + Adjective:The coffee is extremely hot.
• Adverb + Adverb:She ran incredibly fast.
• Adverb + Verb:I almost missed the train.

Note that the placement of the adverb can sometimes affect the meaning of the sentence. For example, “I only ate one apple” is different from “I ate only one apple.” In the first sentence, ‘only’ modifies ‘ate,’ suggesting that the speaker did nothing else. In the second sentence, ‘only’ modifies ‘one apple,’ suggesting that the speaker didn’t eat more than one apple.

Types and Categories of Adverbs of Degree

Adverbs of degree can be categorized based on the intensity they express. This categorization helps in choosing the right adverb to convey the intended meaning accurately. The three main categories are complete intensifiers, partial intensifiers, and diminishing intensifiers.

Complete Intensifiers

Complete intensifiers indicate the highest degree of intensity, suggesting that something is entirely or fully true. These adverbs leave little room for doubt or qualification. They are often used to emphasize a strong feeling or certainty.

Examples of complete intensifiers include: absolutely, completely, totally, entirely, utterly, perfectly, fully.

Here are some examples in sentences:

• The project was absolutely perfect.
• I completely forgot about the meeting.
• The situation is totally unacceptable.
• The instructions were entirely clear.
• He is an utterly charming man.
• The plan was perfectly executed.
• I am fully aware of the risks involved.

Partial Intensifiers

Partial intensifiers indicate a moderate degree of intensity, suggesting that something is partly or somewhat true. These adverbs provide a middle ground between complete intensity and minimal intensity. They are useful for expressing a balanced or nuanced opinion.

Examples of partial intensifiers include: very, quite, rather, pretty, somewhat, fairly, really.

Here are some examples in sentences:

• The weather is very cold today.
• She is quite talented at playing the piano.
• The book was rather interesting.
• He is a pretty good soccer player.
• I am somewhat concerned about the situation.
• The movie was fairly entertaining.
• It was a really exciting adventure.

Diminishing Intensifiers

Diminishing intensifiers indicate a low degree of intensity, suggesting that something is only slightly or barely true. These adverbs are used to soften statements or express a mild degree of agreement or disagreement.

Examples of diminishing intensifiers include: slightly, a little, somewhat, barely, hardly, scarcely.

Here are some examples in sentences:

• I am slightly disappointed with the results.
• I felt a little nervous before the presentation.
• The food was somewhat bland.
• He barely noticed me.
• I hardly know anything about the topic.
• They scarcely had enough money to survive.

Examples of Adverbs of Degree

Understanding how adverbs of degree are used in various contexts is crucial for mastering their usage. The following tables provide extensive examples, categorized by the type of word they modify: adjectives, adverbs, and verbs.

Adverbs of Degree Modifying Adjectives

This table provides examples of adverbs of degree modifying adjectives, showcasing how they enhance the descriptive power of the adjective.

Adverb of Degree	Example Sentence
Absolutely	The performance was absolutely stunning.
Completely	The puzzle was completely baffling.
Totally	The experience was totally unforgettable.
Entirely	The decision was entirely justified.
Utterly	He was utterly exhausted after the marathon.
Perfectly	The plan was perfectly feasible.
Fully	The room was fully decorated for the party.
Very	The cake was very delicious.
Quite	She is quite intelligent.
Rather	The movie was rather long.
Pretty	The garden is pretty beautiful in spring.
Somewhat	I am somewhat optimistic about the future.
Fairly	The weather is fairly mild today.
Really	The concert was really amazing.
Slightly	I am slightly concerned about his health.
A little	The soup is a little salty.
Barely	The room was barely adequate for our needs.
Hardly	The problem is hardly noticeable.
Scarcely	The news was scarcely believable.
Incredibly	The view was incredibly breathtaking.
Extremely	The task was extremely difficult.
Awfully	He was awfully quiet during the meeting.
Terribly	The traffic was terribly slow this morning.
Remarkably	She is a remarkably talented artist.
Unusually	The weather is unusually warm for October.
Decidedly	The atmosphere was decidedly festive.

Adverbs of Degree Modifying Adverbs

This table illustrates how adverbs of degree can modify other adverbs, adding another layer of intensity to the description.

Adverb of Degree	Example Sentence
Absolutely	She performed absolutely flawlessly.
Completely	He recovered completely unexpectedly.
Totally	They succeeded totally independently.
Entirely	The project was managed entirely autonomously.
Utterly	He failed utterly miserably.
Perfectly	The machine operated perfectly smoothly.
Very	He spoke very quietly.
Quite	She sings quite beautifully.
Rather	He drives rather carefully.
Pretty	She dances pretty gracefully.
Somewhat	He reacted somewhat defensively.
Fairly	She explained it fairly clearly.
Really	He runs really quickly.
Slightly	He spoke slightly hesitantly.
A little	She smiled a little sadly.
Barely	He could barely hear.
Hardly	She hardly ever complains.
Scarcely	He scarcely knows her.
Incredibly	The team worked incredibly efficiently.
Extremely	They prepared extremely thoroughly.
Awfully	He behaved awfully rudely.
Terribly	She sang terribly off-key.
Remarkably	He recovered remarkably quickly.
Unusually	The bird chirped unusually loudly.
Decidedly	He spoke decidedly firmly.

Adverbs of Degree Modifying Verbs

This table demonstrates how adverbs of degree can modify verbs, indicating the extent to which an action is performed.

Adverb of Degree	Example Sentence
Almost	I almost missed the bus.
Nearly	She nearly fainted from the heat.
Just	I just finished the report.
Quite	I quite enjoyed the concert.
Really	I really appreciate your help.
Hardly	I hardly know him.
Barely	I barely slept last night.
Slightly	I slightly misunderstood the instructions.
A little	I a little regret my decision.
Completely	I completely agree with you.
Totally	I totally forgot about it.
Partially	I partially understand the concept.
Fully	I fully support your idea.
Scarcely	I could scarcely believe it.
Practically	It practically saved my life.
Exceedingly	He exceedingly valued her opinion.
Intensely	She intensely disliked the new policy.
Moderately	I moderately enjoyed the performance.
Significantly	The results significantly improved after the changes.
Substantially	The price substantially increased.
Sufficiently	He sufficiently prepared for the exam.
Considerably	The situation considerably improved.
Noticeably	She noticeably improved her skills.
Perceptibly	The temperature perceptibly dropped.
Visibly	He visibly trembled with fear.

Usage Rules for Adverbs of Degree

Using adverbs of degree correctly involves understanding their placement, the types of words they can modify, and the specific nuances of each adverb. Here are some key usage rules to keep in mind:

• Placement: Adverbs of degree usually precede the adjective or adverb they modify. When modifying a verb, they are typically placed before the main verb but after auxiliary verbs. (e.g., She is very talented. He has almost finished.)
• Word Choice: Choose the adverb that accurately reflects the intended degree of intensity. Very is a general intensifier, while words like absolutely and slightly convey more specific degrees.
• Formal vs. Informal: Some adverbs of degree are more appropriate for formal writing, while others are better suited for informal conversation. (e.g., “He is rather intelligent” is more formal than “He is pretty smart.”)
• Avoid Overuse: Overusing intensifiers can weaken your writing. Use them sparingly to emphasize key points.

Exceptions and Special Cases:

• With the verb “to be,” the adverb typically follows the verb. (e.g., “She is very happy.”)
• Some adverbs, like “enough,” follow the word they modify. (e.g., “Is it warm enough?”)

Common Mistakes with Adverbs of Degree

Even experienced English speakers sometimes make mistakes when using adverbs of degree. Being aware of these common errors can help you avoid them in your own writing and speech.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
The movie was too much good.	The movie was very good.	“Too much” is generally used with uncountable nouns, not adjectives.
I am very agree with you.	I completely agree with you.	“Very” doesn’t collocate well with “agree.” Use a stronger intensifier like “completely.”
He is enough tall to ride the roller coaster.	He is tall enough to ride the roller coaster.	“Enough” follows the adjective it modifies.
She is utterly beautiful girl.	She is an utterly beautiful girl.	“Utterly” needs an article (“an”) before the adjective and noun it modifies when the noun is singular and countable.
The food was quite delicious, but not entirely.	The food was quite delicious, but not completely.	“Entirely” and “completely” are synonyms and more appropriate for this context.
I slightly know the answer.	I slightly know the answer. (or I know the answer slightly.)	Although technically correct, it’s more natural to say “I know the answer slightly.”
He is very much intelligent.	He is very intelligent.	“Much” is unnecessary and sounds awkward in this context.
She is too much happy.	She is very happy.	“Too much” is not used with adjectives in this way.
I am fairly agree with you.	I somewhat agree with you.	“Fairly” is not commonly used with “agree”. “Somewhat” is a better fit.
He is hardly tired.	He is barely tired.	“Hardly” means “almost not at all,” while “barely” suggests a minimal level of tiredness. Depending on the intended meaning, both could be correct, but “barely” is more fitting if he is showing some signs of tiredness.

Practice Exercises

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

Exercise 1: Choosing the Right Intensifier

Choose the best adverb of degree to complete each sentence.

Question	Options	Answer
The movie was ______ entertaining.	(a) slightly (b) very (c) utterly	(b) very
I am ______ certain that I locked the door.	(a) barely (b) quite (c) absolutely	(c) absolutely
He is ______ a good singer.	(a) somewhat (b) pretty (c) completely	(b) pretty
I ______ agree with your assessment.	(a) slightly (b) fully (c) hardly	(b) fully
The soup was ______ too salty for my taste.	(a) slightly (b) rather (c) totally	(b) rather
She ______ understood the instructions.	(a) barely (b) very (c) completely	(a) barely
I am ______ disappointed with the service.	(a) slightly (b) utterly (c) very	(a) slightly
The task was ______ difficult to complete.	(a) pretty (b) extremely (c) somewhat	(b) extremely
He is ______ charming and polite.	(a) hardly (b) utterly (c) somewhat	(b) utterly
The weather is ______ mild for this time of year.	(a) fairly (b) totally (c) barely	(a) fairly

Exercise 2: Correcting Mistakes

Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences related to the use of adverbs of degree.

Question	Correct Answer
I am very agree with you.	I completely agree with you.
She is enough tall to reach the shelf.	She is tall enough to reach the shelf.
The cake was too much sweet.	The cake was very sweet.
He is utterly honest man.	He is an utterly honest man.
I slightly know the answer.	I know the answer slightly.
She is very much happy.	She is very happy.
I am fairly understand the lesson.	I fairly understand the lesson. (or I understand the lesson fairly.)
He is hardly tired, he is full of energy.	He is barely tired, he is full of energy.
The movie was quite good, but not entirely.	The movie was quite good, but not completely.
I am too much busy to attend the meeting.	I am very busy to attend the meeting.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, there are more nuanced aspects of adverbs of degree to explore. These include:

• Intensifying Collocations: Certain adverbs of degree are commonly used with specific adjectives or adverbs. For example, “bitterly cold” or “deeply sorry.” Learning these collocations can make your language more natural and idiomatic.
• Subjectivity: The perceived intensity of an adverb can be subjective and depend on context and personal opinion. What one person considers “very good,” another might consider “quite good.”
• Regional Variations: The usage and frequency of certain adverbs of degree can vary by region. For example, “awfully” is more common in British English than in American English.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about adverbs of degree:

1. What is the difference between “very” and “really”?

   “Very” is a general intensifier, while “really” can also imply surprise or enthusiasm. “Very” is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts, while “really” often adds an emotional element.

2. Can adverbs of degree modify nouns?

   No, adverbs of degree typically modify adjectives, adverbs, or verbs. To modify a noun, you would use an adjective or a quantifier.

3. Is it possible to overuse adverbs of degree?

   Yes, overusing intensifiers can weaken your writing and make it sound less sincere. Use them sparingly and strategically to emphasize key points.

4. What are some formal alternatives to “very”?

   Formal alternatives to “very” include “extremely,” “remarkably,” “exceptionally,” and “considerably.”

5. How do I choose the right adverb of degree?

   Consider the level of intensity you want to convey and the specific word you are modifying. Think about whether you want to express complete intensity, partial intensity, or diminishing intensity.

6. Can I use multiple adverbs of degree in a single sentence?

   While grammatically possible, using multiple adverbs of degree can sound awkward and redundant. It’s best to choose one strong intensifier that accurately conveys your intended meaning.

7. Are there any adverbs of degree that should be avoided in formal writing?

   Some adverbs, like “pretty” and “sort of,” are more informal and should be avoided in formal writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated intensifiers like “rather,” “quite,” or “considerably.”

8. How does the placement of an adverb of degree affect the meaning of a sentence?

   The placement of an adverb of degree can subtly alter the meaning of a sentence. For example, “I almost finished the book” implies that you came close to finishing it, while “I finished almost the book” suggests that you completed a large portion of it. However, the latter sentence is not grammatically correct.

Conclusion

Mastering adverbs of degree is essential for adding precision and nuance to your English. By understanding the different types of intensifiers, their usage rules, and common mistakes, you can significantly improve your communication skills. Remember to choose the right adverb to convey the intended degree of intensity and avoid overusing intensifiers to maintain clarity and impact. Practice using adverbs of degree in various contexts to become more confident and fluent in your use of English.

Continue practicing and experimenting with different adverbs of degree to discover how they can enhance your writing and speech. Pay attention to how native speakers use intensifiers in everyday conversations and written materials. With consistent effort, you’ll be able to use adverbs of degree effectively and express yourself with greater accuracy and expressiveness.