What are Adverbs of Degree?

Adverbs of degree are words that help us describe how much or to what extent something happens. Think of them as tools that give extra detail about intensity or strength, whether it's for an action, a description, or even another adverb. For example, they help you say if something is slightly, very, or absolutely true! Using adverbs of degree can make your sentences more expressive and specific, which makes your English sound clearer and more interesting.

Examples of Adverbs of Degree

Very – “She is very happy.” (adds emphasis to happy)
Too – “It’s too hot outside.” (shows excess in temperature)
Almost – “The homework is almost done.” (gives a sense of near completion)

These words are useful because they make our sentences more specific and expressive! By using them, you can communicate your ideas with more depth and precision.

Most Common Adverbs of Degree

Here’s a list of some of the most common adverbs of degree:

Very - Used to intensify almost anything, such as "very happy" or "very tired." It’s widely used to add emphasis in everyday speech.
Really - Similar to "very," it adds emphasis in a more conversational tone, such as "really good" or "really funny."
Quite - Often used to mean "fairly" or "somewhat," though in British English, it can imply a higher degree of intensity (e.g., "quite interesting").
Too - Indicates excess or an undesirable level, as in "too hot" or "too much." It’s common for pointing out problems or limitations.
Enough - Indicates the required amount, often used after an adjective, such as "big enough" or "loud enough."
So - Used to add emphasis, often in informal contexts like "so nice" or "so tired." It’s also used with clauses, like "so much that..."
Absolutely - Adds strong emphasis, often with adjectives that already have a strong meaning, like "absolutely essential" or "absolutely amazing."
Extremely - Implies a very high degree of something, commonly seen in phrases like "extremely difficult" or "extremely important."
Pretty - Informally used as a synonym for "quite" or "fairly," particularly in American English, e.g., "pretty good" or "pretty tired."
Fairly - Indicates a moderate level, often used in a more neutral or understated way, such as "fairly easy" or "fairly quiet."

How Do You Show Intensity with Adverbs?

Adverbs of degree fall into different levels of intensity, from strong to light, and each serves a specific purpose in English. Let's look at some common ones along with examples and explanations to help you understand when to use them.

High-Intensity Adverbs

These adverbs show a strong degree of something. They include words like:

Absolutely – “She was absolutely certain about her decision.”
Completely – “He completely forgot the meeting!”
Totally – “I’m totally amazed by this city.”
Extremely – “This book is extremely interesting.”

Medium-Intensity Adverbs

These adverbs are strong, but not as intense as the ones above:

Very – “It’s very sunny today.”
Really – “I’m really excited for the trip.”
Fairly – “The test was fairly easy.”

Low-Intensity Adverbs

These adverbs show a milder degree of something:

Slightly – “She was slightly annoyed by the noise.”
A bit – “It’s a bit chilly outside.”
Somewhat – “The answer was somewhat unclear.”

How to Use Adverbs of Degree in English

Let's dive into how you can position these adverbs in sentences, how they convey different levels of emphasis, and some helpful tips to avoid common mistakes.

Positioning in Sentences

Adverbs of degree can appear in different parts of a sentence, but here are a few common rules:

Before an adjective or another adverb:
- “She’s very talented.”
- “He sings quite beautifully.”
After the verb "to be":
- “The water is too cold.”
- “I am absolutely sure.”
Before the main verb (for most other verbs):
- “I almost forgot about the appointment.”
- “She barely passed the test.”

Example Dialogue

A: “Did you like the movie?”
B: “I absolutely loved it! It was so exciting.”

This example shows how “absolutely” intensifies the feeling about the movie.

Comparison of Common Adverbs

Some adverbs of degree can be tricky because they convey different levels of emphasis or meanings.

Too vs. Very

Too – Shows an excessive degree and often has a negative meaning:
- “It’s too hot to go outside.” (It’s so hot it’s uncomfortable.)
Very – Adds emphasis but doesn’t imply excess:
- “It’s very hot today.” (It’s hot, but not uncomfortable.)

Enough vs. Slightly

Enough – Shows that the degree is sufficient:
- “I’m warm enough with this jacket.”
Slightly – Shows a small amount:
- “It’s slightly cold, but I’ll be okay.”

Tip: If you’re unsure, try asking yourself if you want to show something negative or excessive. For instance, “too” often hints that there’s a problem, while “very” is more neutral.

Common Mistakes with Adverbs of Degree

Confusing "too" with "very": Remember, "too" suggests something is more than desired, often in a negative way. "Very" is positive or neutral.
- Wrong: “The soup is too delicious.”
- Right: “The soup is very delicious.”
Overusing certain adverbs: It’s easy to fall into the habit of using "very" or "really" all the time, but try to vary your adverbs. Words like "extremely," "quite," and "fairly" can keep your sentences more interesting and precise.

Tips to Master Adverbs of Degree

Mix It Up: Try different adverbs to express degrees. Instead of saying “very tired,” say “completely exhausted” or “a bit tired,” depending on the situation.
Avoid Overuse: If you notice you’re always saying "very" or "really," swap them out with others like "extremely" or "fairly."
Practice in Context: Create mini-dialogues with friends or in a notebook using adverbs of degree. This will help you remember where and when to use them!

How Do Adverbs of Degree Differ from Intensifiers?

Adverbs of degree and intensifiers both show the level or strength of an action or description, but there’s a slight difference in their focus.

Adverbs of Degree: Describe how much of something there is, and usually modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs.
- “She’s completely ready.”
Intensifiers: Specifically emphasize or amplify a particular quality, often giving extra focus or strength to an adjective.
- “That’s an absolutely amazing view.”

In short, all intensifiers are adverbs of degree, but not all adverbs of degree are intensifiers. Intensifiers give stronger emphasis than most standard adverbs of degree, like "really" or "extremely."

Exercises

Exercises - Adverbs