Adverbs of Degree for intermediate learners
Adverbs of degree are mostly used before adjectives, adverbs, and verbs to intensify the term after them.
What Are Adverbs of Degree?
When we want to show the degree or the intensity of something, we use the adverbs of degree. They are usually made to answer questions such as 'how much' and 'to what degree'.
Common Adverbs of Degree
Some common adverbs of degree are as follows:
- Hardly
- Completely
- Very
- Slightly
- Absolutely
- Entirely
- Most
- Pretty
- Quite
- Too
How Do We Use Them in Sentences?
When we want to use adverbs of degree in sentences, we can use either of the four structures below:
- Before the main verb
Amber is
Well, you should
As you can see, the adverb of degree is modifying the verb.
This house looks
As you can see, the adverb of degree is modifying an adjective.
I want you to run
Here, the adverb of degree is modifying another adverb.
- Before or after the modal verb
I would
You could
I had
It is
Types of Adverbs of Degree
In English, we have two types of adverbs of degree. Let us learn more about them below:
- Intensifiers
- Mitigators (also called Downtoners)
Intensifiers
When we want to put more force on the action in a statement, in other words, make it stronger, we use intensifiers. Below is a list of common intensifiers in English:
- Really
- Very
- Extremely
- Absolutely
- Totally
Now, let us learn how to use them by studying the examples below:
When I told her the terrible news, she was
As you can see, the adverb of degree is emphasizing how difficult the situation had been for the woman.
Does Angie
Warning!
Please note that the intensifiers that we use for gradable adjectives are different from those of ungradable adjectives due to the fact that gradable adjectives can be measured, whereas ungradable adjectives cannot. Compare the following examples carefully:
The weather is
Everything is
As you can see, we cannot say something is 'a bit free' or 'a lot free' because it is a fixed state.
Mitigators
When we want to weaken an action in a statement, we use the mitigating adverbs of degree. Clearly, they do the exact opposite of what intensifiers do. Let us get familiar with some common mitigators in English:
- A bit
- Slightly
- Hardly
- Barely
Now, let us learn how we can use these downtoners in sentences:
She could
As you can see, the sentence is suggesting that the person was not able to walk that much.
Could you read
Tip!
It is useful to know that 'very' and 'too' can differ a little in usage. Although both are intensifiers and both come before an adverb or an adjective, 'too' has a negative impact on the word it modifies. Let us study the following examples:
The party was
Here, the sentence shows that the person has enjoyed the party greatly.
The party was
In this case, the sentence shows that something happened in the party that brought about an
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