Adverbs of degree are essential words that modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs to indicate the intensity, degree, or extent of an action or quality. Words like ‘very’, ‘too’, ‘extremely’, and ‘quite’ help you express precision and nuance. Understanding how to use adverbs of degree correctly is crucial for achieving fluency and accuracy in both spoken and written English.
Introduction: Enhancing Your Language with Adverbs of Degree
Adverbs of degree are precision tools in the English language. They allow us to answer questions like “How much?” or “To what extent?”, adding depth and nuance to our communication. For students and professionals preparing for competitive examinations, mastering adverbs of degree is vital for crafting precise sentences and demonstrating a strong command of grammar. This guide will provide a clear understanding of their function, placement, and usage.
Important Tips for Mastering Adverbs of Degree
- Master the Placement: The most critical rule is placement. Adverbs of degree are typically placed immediately before the adjective, adverb, or main verb they are modifying.
- Before an adjective: The test was extremely difficult.
- Before an adverb: She sang really well.
- Before the main verb: I almost finished the project.
- Understand the Meaning Nuances: Some adverbs of degree have similar but distinct meanings. For example:
- ‘Very’ and ‘Too’: ‘Very’ intensifies, while ‘Too’ indicates an excessive, often problematic amount (e.g., The coffee is very hot vs. The coffee is too hot to drink).
- ‘Quite’ can mean “fairly” (British English) or “completely” (with absolute adjectives, e.g., quite amazing).
- Use with Gradable and Non-Gradable Adjectives: Be mindful of which adverbs pair with which adjectives.
- Gradable adjectives (can have different levels): very cold, extremely happy, a bit tired.
- Non-gradable/absolute adjectives (extreme or absolute): absolutely furious, completely exhausted, utterly ridiculous. (We don’t say “very furious”).
- Avoid Redundancy: Using multiple adverbs of degree for the same word is incorrect. Avoid phrases like “It was very extremely good.”
100 Examples of Adverbs of Degree
- almost
- absolutely
- adequately
- almost
- altogether
- awfully
- barely
- completely
- deeply
- decidedly
- definitely
- enough
- entirely
- enormously
- entirely
- exceedingly
- excessively
- extensively
- extraordinarily
- extremely
- fairly
- far
- fully
- greatly
- half
- hardly
- highly
- hugely
- immensely
- incredibly
- intensely
- just
- largely
- least
- less
- little
- lots
- marginally
- merely
- mildly
- moderately
- most
- much
- nearly
- not quite
- entirely
- perfectly
- positively
- practically
- pretty
- purely
- quite
- rather
- really
- remarkably
- severely
- simply
- slightly
- so
- somewhat
- strongly
- sufficiently
- supremely
- terribly
- thoroughly
- too
- totally
- tremendously
- utterly
- very
- virtually
- well
- absolutely
- completely
- enough
- extremely
- highly
- incredibly
- intensely
- perfectly
- quite
- rather
- really
- remarkably
- so
- somewhat
- too
- totally
- utterly
- very
- almost
- barely
- hardly
- just
- nearly
- slightly
- scarcely
- absolutely
- completely
- fully
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the difference between ‘very’ and ‘too’?
‘Very’ is used to intensify an adjective or adverb without implying a negative consequence (e.g., “It is very cold”). ‘Too’ indicates an excessive amount that causes a problem or prevents something (e.g., “It is too cold to go outside”).
Q2: Where do I place the adverb ‘enough’ in a sentence?
Unlike most adverbs of degree, ‘enough’ is placed after the adjective or adverb it modifies (e.g., “He is tall enough,” “She ran quickly enough“). However, it is placed before a noun (e.g., “I have enough time”).
Q3: Can I use multiple adverbs of degree in one sentence?
You can use different adverbs of degree to modify different parts of the sentence, but you should not use two to modify the same word. For example, “She was very happy and completely satisfied” is correct, but “She was very completely happy” is incorrect.
Conclusion: Mastering Precision with Adverbs of Degree
Adverbs of degree are small words that make a significant impact. They are the key to moving from basic, factual statements to expressive and precise communication. By understanding their placement, nuances, and correct pairings with adjectives, you can greatly enhance the quality of your English. Mastering these adverbs of degree will give you the tools to articulate subtle differences in meaning, a skill highly valued in both academic and professional settings.
Disclaimer: This list includes common adverbs of degree. Some words may function as other parts of speech depending on context (e.g., ‘enough’ can also be a determiner). Always consider the sentence structure for accurate usage.
Also Read: Master Verb Tenses: The Ultimate Guide to Usage, Rules, and Examples
Conquer Irregular Verbs: The Ultimate Guide and List for Flawless English