There are five types of adverbs in the English language. Adverbs of degree modify a sentence to describe the intensity of something. Apart from intensifying the meaning, they can also make it weaker.
Example
Explanation
I am extremely hungry.
Extremely is an adverb of degree that modifies the sentence and intensifies the level of hunger.
She was fairly good at singing.
Fairly is an adverb of degree used to express doubtful level of degree of someone's ability to sing.
They answer the question "How much?" and help express the extent to which action happens. Some common adverbs of degree include very, slightly, quite, totally, fairly, absolutely, and extremely.
Placement
Rule 1: We usually place adverbs of degree before the adjective, adverb, or verb that they modify.
Example
Explanation
The movie was very interesting.
Very is an adverb of degree use to modify the adjective interesting.
He has almost finished.
Almost is an adverb of degree used to modify the verb finished.
She was riding her bike too slowly.
Too is an adverb of degree used to modify another adverb - slowly.
Usage of Enough
Enough can be used as both an adverb and as a determiner.
Rule 2: We can use enough as an adverb of degree in the meaning to the necessary degree and place it after the adjective or adverb that it is modifying.
Example
Explanation
Is your tea hot enough?
Enough is used as an adverb of degree to modify an adjective hot, so it's placed after it.
Rule 3: We can use enough as a determiner in the meaning as much/many as necessary and place it before the noun it modifies.
Example
Explanation
Do you have enough sugar in your tea?
Enough is used as a determiner to modify a noun sugar.
Usage of Too
Too is always used as an adverb, but it has two distinct meanings.
Rule 4: We can use too in the meaning also and place it at the end of the phrase it modifies.
Example
Explanation
I would like some tea, too.
Too is an adverb of degree, meaning also.
Rule 5: We can use too in the meaning excessively and place it before the adjective or adverb it modifies.
Example
Explanation
My tea is too hot.
Too is an adverb of degree used to modify an adjective hot to express that tea is hot to an excessive extent.
Usage of Very
Rule 6: We can use very before an adverb or adjective to make it intensify its meaning.
Example
Explanation
This tea is very tasty.
Very is an adverb of degree used to intensify the meaning of the adjective tasty in this sentence.
Other Adverbs Used Like Very
| very strong feelings | strong feelings | somewhat doubtful feelings |
|---|---|---|
| extremely | especially | pretty |
| terribly | particularly | rather |
| amazingly | uncommonly | fairly |
| wonderfully | unusually | not especially |
| insanely | remarkably | not particularly |
| very strong feelings | strong feelings | somewhat doubtful feelings |
|---|---|---|
| extremely | especially | pretty |
| terribly | particularly | rather |
| amazingly | uncommonly | fairly |
| wonderfully | unusually | not especially |
| insanely | remarkably | not particularly |
Difference Between Very and Too
Rule 7: We use very to express a fact, while we use too to suggest there is a problem.
Example
Explanation
He speaks English very fast.
Very is used to express a fact.
He speaks English too fast for me to understand.
Too is used to suggest there is a problem connected to how fast he speaks English.
Inversion with Negative Adverbs
Rule 7: Some negative adverbs can cause an inversion when placed at the beginning of the clause instead of its usual placement - the subject before the verb. The order is reversed then, and the verb goes before the subject.
English
English
I have never looked so good in a dress.
Never have I looked so good in a dress.
Note: This inversion is only used in writing, not in speaking.
Quiz
1/4
Choose the correct placement for an adverb of degree. It/warm/outside/enough.
0
correct answers.