Adverbs of degree are essential for expressing the intensity of actions, adjectives, or other adverbs. Understanding how to use them correctly adds nuance and precision to your English, allowing you to convey the exact strength of your message.
This guide provides a thorough exploration of adverbs of degree, covering their definition, types, usage rules, common mistakes, and advanced applications. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this article will equip you with the knowledge and practice you need to master this important aspect of English grammar.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Adverbs of Degree
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories of Adverbs of Degree
- Examples of Adverbs of Degree
- Usage Rules for Adverbs of Degree
- Common Mistakes with Adverbs of Degree
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Conclusion
Definition of Adverbs of Degree
An adverb of degree modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate the intensity or degree of an action, quality, or manner. They answer the question “to what extent?” or “how much?” Adverbs of degree are crucial for adding precision and detail to your writing and speech.
They help you express how strongly or weakly something is done, felt, or perceived.
Adverbs of degree do not describe the action itself (like adverbs of manner), nor do they specify when or where it happens (like adverbs of time or place). Instead, they focus solely on the level or intensity of the verb, adjective, or another adverb. Understanding this distinction is key to using them effectively. For instance, in the sentence “She is extremely happy,” the adverb “extremely” modifies the adjective “happy,” indicating a high level of happiness.
Structural Breakdown
Adverbs of degree typically consist of a single word, such as “very,” “quite,” “extremely,” or “slightly.” They are usually placed before the word they modify. However, the placement can vary depending on the specific adverb and the context of the sentence. The standard structure is: Adverb of Degree + Modified Word (Verb, Adjective, or Adverb). For example:
- She is very tall. (Adverb + Adjective)
- He almost finished the race. (Adverb + Verb)
- They spoke incredibly softly. (Adverb + Adverb)
The function of an adverb of degree is to enhance or diminish the meaning of the word it modifies. The choice of adverb depends on the desired level of intensity.
A strong intensifier like “extremely” will significantly amplify the meaning, while a diminisher like “slightly” will reduce it. The structural simplicity of adverbs of degree belies their powerful impact on sentence meaning.
Types and Categories of Adverbs of Degree
Adverbs of degree can be broadly categorized into three main types, based on the effect they have on the word they modify:
Intensifiers
Intensifiers, also known as amplifiers, increase the intensity of the word they modify. Common intensifiers include very, extremely, quite, really, incredibly, exceptionally, remarkably, utterly, absolutely, completely, totally, and perfectly. These adverbs are used to emphasize a particular quality or action. For example, “The movie was absolutely amazing” indicates a strong positive feeling about the movie.
Diminishers
Diminishers, also known as downtoners, decrease the intensity of the word they modify. Common diminishers include slightly, a little, somewhat, rather, quite (in some contexts), barely, hardly, scarcely, and minimally. These adverbs are used to soften or weaken a particular quality or action. For example, “I am slightly tired” indicates a mild level of tiredness.
Approximators
Approximators indicate that something is close to a certain degree or state, but not exactly. Common approximators include almost, nearly, practically, virtually, just about, and kind of. These adverbs are used to show that something is close to being true or complete. For example, “I almost missed the train” indicates that the speaker came close to missing the train, but ultimately did not.
Examples of Adverbs of Degree
To further illustrate the use of adverbs of degree, let’s look at examples organized by category.
Intensifiers Examples
The following table provides a variety of examples showcasing how intensifiers are used to increase the intensity of adjectives, verbs, and other adverbs.
| Sentence | Adverb of Degree | Modified Word |
|---|---|---|
| She is very talented. | very | talented (adjective) |
| He was extremely grateful for the help. | extremely | grateful (adjective) |
| The food was absolutely delicious. | absolutely | delicious (adjective) |
| They are completely exhausted after the hike. | completely | exhausted (adjective) |
| The performance was incredibly moving. | incredibly | moving (adjective) |
| He is exceptionally skilled at playing the piano. | exceptionally | skilled (adjective) |
| The view from the top was remarkably beautiful. | remarkably | beautiful (adjective) |
| She was utterly devastated by the news. | utterly | devastated (adjective) |
| The presentation was perfectly clear and concise. | perfectly | clear (adjective) |
| He really enjoys playing basketball. | really | enjoys (verb) |
| The team played incredibly well. | incredibly | well (adverb) |
| She sang exceptionally beautifully. | exceptionally | beautifully (adverb) |
| The project was remarkably successful. | remarkably | successful (adjective) |
| He is totally dedicated to his work. | totally | dedicated (adjective) |
| The experience was absolutely unforgettable. | absolutely | unforgettable (adjective) |
| She is completely fluent in Spanish. | completely | fluent (adjective) |
| The weather was utterly dreadful. | utterly | dreadful (adjective) |
| He performed perfectly flawlessly. | perfectly | flawlessly (adverb) |
| The solution was incredibly simple. | incredibly | simple (adjective) |
| She is quite intelligent. | quite | intelligent (adjective) |
| He is really excited about the trip. | really | excited (adjective) |
| The garden was exceptionally well-maintained. | exceptionally | well-maintained (adjective) |
| The atmosphere was remarkably peaceful. | remarkably | peaceful (adjective) |
| He is totally convinced that he is right. | totally | convinced (adjective) |
| The cake was absolutely divine. | absolutely | divine (adjective) |
Diminishers Examples
The following table illustrates how diminishers are used to reduce the intensity of adjectives, verbs, and other adverbs.
| Sentence | Adverb of Degree | Modified Word |
|---|---|---|
| I am slightly concerned about the situation. | slightly | concerned (adjective) |
| He is a little tired after the long day. | a little | tired (adjective) |
| She is somewhat disappointed with the results. | somewhat | disappointed (adjective) |
| The movie was rather boring. | rather | boring (adjective) |
| I barely know him. | barely | know (verb) |
| She hardly ever goes out. | hardly | goes (verb) |
| They scarcely noticed the change. | scarcely | noticed (verb) |
| The impact was minimally felt. | minimally | felt (verb) |
| He is slightly better today. | slightly | better (adjective) |
| She sang somewhat quietly. | somewhat | quietly (adverb) |
| He drives rather slowly. | rather | slowly (adverb) |
| The project was minimally successful. | minimally | successful (adjective) |
| I am a little worried about the exam. | a little | worried (adjective) |
| She is slightly nervous about the presentation. | slightly | nervous (adjective) |
| He barely speaks English. | barely | speaks (verb) |
| They hardly understand the instructions. | hardly | understand (verb) |
| She scarcely smiled during the event. | scarcely | smiled (verb) |
| The paint was slightly faded. | slightly | faded (adjective) |
| The food was somewhat bland. | somewhat | bland (adjective) |
| The room was rather cold. | rather | cold (adjective) |
| She completed the task minimally efficiently. | minimally | efficiently (adverb) |
| He worked a little harder than usual. | a little | harder (adverb) |
| They performed slightly better than expected. | slightly | better (adverb) |
Approximators Examples
The following table presents examples of approximators, which indicate that something is close to a certain degree or state.
| Sentence | Adverb of Degree | Modified Word |
|---|---|---|
| I almost missed the bus. | almost | missed (verb) |
| He nearly failed the exam. | nearly | failed (verb) |
| She practically lives at the library. | practically | lives (verb) |
| It’s virtually impossible to solve the problem. | virtually | impossible (adjective) |
| I was just about to leave when you called. | just about | to leave (verb phrase) |
| He is kind of tired today. | kind of | tired (adjective) |
| The project is almost finished. | almost | finished (adjective) |
| They nearly won the game. | nearly | won (verb) |
| She is practically a vegetarian. | practically | vegetarian (adjective) |
| The room was virtually empty. | virtually | empty (adjective) |
| I am just about ready to go. | just about | ready (adjective) |
| He is kind of busy right now. | kind of | busy (adjective) |
| The situation is almost under control. | almost | under control (adjective phrase) |
| She nearly forgot her keys. | nearly | forgot (verb) |
| They practically begged him to stay. | practically | begged (verb) |
| The task is virtually complete. | virtually | complete (adjective) |
| I was just about to start cooking. | just about | to start (verb) |
| He is kind of interested in the topic. | kind of | interested (adjective) |
| The train almost arrived on time. | almost | arrived (verb) |
| She nearly missed her flight. | nearly | missed (verb) |
| They are practically inseparable. | practically | inseparable (adjective) |
| The question is virtually unanswerable. | virtually | unanswerable (adjective) |
| I am just about finished with the report. | just about | finished (adjective) |
| She is kind of upset about the change. | kind of | upset (adjective) |
Usage Rules for Adverbs of Degree
Using adverbs of degree correctly involves understanding their placement and compatibility with different types of adjectives and verbs.
Placement of Adverbs of Degree
The placement of adverbs of degree is usually before the word they modify. However, there are some exceptions.
Generally:
- Before adjectives: “She is very beautiful.”
- Before adverbs: “He spoke incredibly softly.”
- Before the main verb (but after auxiliary verbs): “I have almost finished.” “She will probably arrive late.”
Note that with the verb “to be,” the adverb of degree typically comes after the verb but before the adjective: “She is very happy.” With auxiliary verbs, the adverb is placed after the first auxiliary verb: “He has really been trying.”
With Gradable and Non-Gradable Adjectives
Gradable adjectives are those that can exist in degrees (e.g., happy, sad, tall, short). Adverbs of degree are commonly used with gradable adjectives. For example, “She is very happy” or “He is slightly sad.”
Non-gradable adjectives (also called absolute adjectives) are those that cannot exist in degrees (e.g., dead, unique, perfect, married). While traditionally it was taught that intensifiers shouldn’t be used with non-gradable adjectives, modern usage often sees intensifiers used for emphasis. However, it’s important to use them carefully. Instead of saying “very dead,” it’s better to say “completely dead.” Some common correct usages are “absolutely perfect,” “totally unique,” and “completely finished.” Avoid using diminishers with non-gradable adjectives, as phrases like “slightly dead” are illogical.
Here’s a table to illustrate acceptable and less acceptable usages:
| Adjective Type | Acceptable Usage | Less Acceptable Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Gradable | Very happy, slightly sad, rather tall | N/A |
| Non-Gradable | Absolutely perfect, completely unique, totally finished | Very perfect, slightly unique, rather finished |
Common Mistakes with Adverbs of Degree
One common mistake is using adverbs of degree with non-gradable adjectives incorrectly. For instance:
- Incorrect: The report was very perfect.
- Correct: The report was absolutely perfect.
Another common mistake is incorrect placement. Ensure the adverb of degree is placed correctly in relation to the word it modifies:
- Incorrect: She happy is very.
- Correct: She is very happy.
Confusing adverbs of degree with adverbs of manner is another common error. Remember, adverbs of degree describe the intensity, while adverbs of manner describe how something is done:
- Incorrect: He ran very. (Intended to mean he ran fast)
- Correct: He ran very fast. (Very modifies fast, an adverb of manner)
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of adverbs of degree with the following exercises.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with an appropriate adverb of degree.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. She is ______ talented. | very/extremely/quite |
| 2. I am ______ tired today. | slightly/a little/somewhat |
| 3. He ______ finished the project. | almost/nearly/practically |
| 4. The movie was ______ interesting. | rather/somewhat/quite |
| 5. They are ______ excited about the trip. | really/very/incredibly |
| 6. She ______ knows how to play the guitar. | barely/hardly/scarcely |
| 7. The food was ______ delicious. | absolutely/completely/totally |
| 8. He is ______ fluent in French. | completely/totally/virtually |
| 9. I am ______ ready to go. | just about/almost/nearly |
| 10. She is ______ nervous about the interview. | a little/slightly/somewhat |
Exercise 2: Identify the adverb of degree in each sentence and its type (intensifier, diminisher, or approximator).
| Question | Adverb of Degree | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1. He is incredibly intelligent. | incredibly | Intensifier |
| 2. I am slightly worried about the test. | slightly | Diminisher |
| 3. She almost missed the deadline. | almost | Approximator |
| 4. The movie was rather long. | rather | Diminisher |
| 5. They are completely exhausted. | completely | Intensifier |
| 6. He barely spoke during the meeting. | barely | Diminisher |
| 7. She is virtually a professional dancer. | virtually | Approximator |
| 8. The food was absolutely amazing. | absolutely | Intensifier |
| 9. I am just about ready to leave. | just about | Approximator |
| 10. He is somewhat interested in the project. | somewhat | Diminisher |
Exercise 3: Rewrite the following sentences using a different adverb of degree to change the intensity.
| Original Sentence | Rewritten Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. She is very happy. | She is absolutely delighted. |
| 2. He is slightly tired. | He is somewhat fatigued. |
| 3. They almost won the game. | They nearly won the game. |
| 4. The food was rather bland. | The food was a little bland. |
| 5. She is completely fluent in Spanish. | She is totally fluent in Spanish. |
| 6. He barely knows her. | He scarcely knows her. |
| 7. I am just about ready. | I am practically ready. |
| 8. She is kind of busy. | She is somewhat busy. |
| 9. The problem is virtually solved. | The problem is almost solved. |
| 10. He is exceptionally talented. | He is incredibly talented. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of adverb of degree usage can further refine your language skills.
Formal vs. Informal Usage
Some adverbs of degree are more appropriate for formal writing and speech, while others are better suited for informal contexts. For example, “extremely” and “incredibly” are generally acceptable in both formal and informal settings.
However, “kind of” and “sort of” are more informal and should be avoided in formal writing.
Consider the audience and purpose of your communication when choosing adverbs of degree. In a business report, you might write, “The results were remarkably consistent.” In a casual conversation, you might say, “I’m kind of tired.”
Adverbs of Degree Modifying Clauses
While less common, adverbs of degree can sometimes modify entire clauses, expressing the degree to which the clause is true or valid. This usually involves adverbs like “practically” or “virtually.” For example:
- Practically speaking, the project is complete. (Modifies the entire clause “the project is complete.”)
- Virtually all the attendees agreed with the proposal. (Modifies the clause “all the attendees agreed with the proposal.”)
In these cases, the adverb of degree provides a qualification or limitation to the statement made in the clause. It’s important to use this structure carefully to avoid ambiguity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some frequently asked questions about adverbs of degree:
Q1: What is the difference between an adverb of degree and an adverb of manner?
A1: An adverb of degree indicates the intensity or extent of an action or quality (e.g., very happy, slightly tired), while an adverb of manner describes how an action is performed (e.g., ran quickly, spoke softly). The key difference is that degree adverbs focus on intensity, whereas manner adverbs focus on the way something is done.
Q2: Can adverbs of degree modify verbs?
A2: Yes, adverbs of degree can modify verbs. For example, “I almost missed the bus” or “He really enjoys playing the piano.” In these cases, the adverb of degree indicates the extent to which the action (missing the bus, enjoying the piano) occurs.
Q3: Where should I place the adverb of degree in a sentence?
A3: Generally, place the adverb of degree immediately before the word it modifies. For adjectives and adverbs, this is usually straightforward (e.g., very tall, incredibly fast). For verbs, the adverb typically comes before the main verb but after any auxiliary verbs (e.g., I have almost finished, she will probably arrive late).
Q4: Can I use multiple adverbs of degree in one sentence?
A4: While it’s possible to use multiple adverbs of degree in one sentence, it’s generally best to avoid it, as it can make the sentence sound awkward or redundant. If you need to express multiple levels of intensity, consider revising the sentence to use stronger or more precise vocabulary.
Q5: Are there any adverbs of degree that can also function as other parts of speech?
A5: Yes, some words that commonly function as adverbs of degree can also be other parts of speech in different contexts. For example, “quite” can be an adverb of degree (e.g., “She is quite intelligent”) or an adjective (e.g., “That’s quite a problem”).
Q6: How do I choose the right adverb of degree for a particular situation?
A6: Consider the level of intensity you want to convey and the formality of the context. For strong intensity, use intensifiers like “extremely” or “absolutely.” For weak intensity, use diminishers like “slightly” or “somewhat.” For approximations, use adverbs like “almost” or “nearly.” Also, be mindful of the audience and purpose of your communication to choose appropriate language.
Q7: Can adverbs of degree modify comparative and superlative adjectives?
A7: Yes, adverbs of degree can modify comparative and superlative adjectives to further refine their meaning. For example, “He is much taller than his brother” (modifying the comparative “taller”) or “She is by far the best student in the class” (modifying the superlative “best”).
Q8: Is it always necessary to use an adverb of degree?
A8: No, it is not always necessary. Sometimes, the adjective or verb itself is strong enough to convey the intended meaning without modification.
Overusing adverbs of degree can make your writing sound repetitive or exaggerated. Use them judiciously to add nuance and precision where needed.
Conclusion
Mastering adverbs of degree is a vital step in refining your English language skills. By understanding their definition, types, usage rules, and common pitfalls, you can effectively express the intensity of your thoughts and ideas.
Practice consistently with the exercises provided and pay attention to how native speakers use these adverbs in various contexts. With dedicated effort, you will be able to use adverbs of degree with confidence and precision.
Remember to always consider the context and audience when choosing an adverb of degree. The right choice can significantly enhance the clarity and impact of your communication.
Pay attention to the placement of adverbs in sentences and be mindful of the distinction between gradable and non-gradable adjectives. Keep practicing, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering this important aspect of English grammar.
Good luck!