Adverbs for Degree

Expressing Intensity — How much?

Degree Adverb Uses

MODIFIYING A VERB	MODIFIYING AN ADVERB	MODIFIYING AN ADJECTIVE
Modifies the intensity of the action telling us 'how much'.	Modifies the intensity of the adverb.	Modifies quality or character.
He excessively talks all the time.	He talks extremely fast.	He is extremely talkative.
He rather loves his audiences.	He expresses himself rather well.	He is unexpectedly attractive.
He hardly stops to breathe.	He reasons very quickly.	His popularity ratings are very high.

Adverbs for Degree

Meanings

Secondary Meanings

MANNER	DEGREE
An adverb of manner may have one meaning.	An adverb of degree may have a secondary meaning. Each section below (verb, adverb, adjective) will list variations in meaning.
They behaved terribly. terribly – in a bad manner	I'm terribly sorry. terribly – very, very
He was behaving suspiciously. suspiciously – in a manner causing mistrust	He was suspiciously quiet. suspiciously – unusually
They spoke English easily. easily – in an easy manner, without problems	He is easily the best speaker. easily – clearly
He treats us fairly. fairly – in a manner that is equal or just	He communicates fairly fluently. fairly – adequately, well enough
He speaks English well. good – in an good manner, competently	He was well recommended to us. well – highly, top level

Variation in Meaning and Usage

INTENSITY	COMPLETENESS	OTHER MEANINGS	EXPRESSIONS
Some degree adverbs indicate intensity from very much to very little (or none).	Some degree adverbs indicate completeness from very complete to partially complete (or not at all).	Other degree adverbs have unique meanings.	Other degree adverbs are used in "frozen phrases" or expressions. (These are learned over time.)
He is extremely excited about his work.	He is completely done with his work.	He is wonderfully excited about his work. creatively	He is plain/dead wrong.
He is somewhat excited about his work.	He is almost done with his work.	We are profoundly sad to hear about his death. very deeply	You are mighty kind.
He is hardly excited about his work.	He is partly done with his work.	The house is easily accessible. without difficulty	He is damn rude.
		He is highly regarded. top level	It's downright unfair.
		It is virtually trouble-free. practically	He's a jolly good fellow.

Degree Adverbs List

absolutely very	amazingly surprisingly	awfully very	barely negative	completely totally, all parts	considerably
dreadfully very	easily clearly, without difficulties	enormously	entirely	exceedingly	excessively
extensively very	extremely very	fairly	fantastically	fully	greatly
hardly not much	highly very	hugely	immensely	incredibly very	infinitely very, very
intensely very	largely mostly	moderately	nearly	noticeably	partly
perfectly completely	positively	practically completely	profoundly	purely	really
reasonably acceptably	relatively	remarkably	simply	slightly	strikingly
strongly seriously, surely	sufficiently	supremely	suspiciously	terribly very	totally
tremendously very	truly	unbelievably	utterly	virtually practically	wonderfully

without -ly

about	almost	altogether	downright	however	indeed
jolly	just	least	less	mighty	more
most	not	quite	rather	so	somewhat
still	too	very	very much	way far	well
as… as	too… to...	so…that	enough

(CaGEL 583–4)

Adverbs for Degree

Modifying a Verb

Placement

BEFORE THE VERB	BETWEEN AUXILIARY AND MAIN VERB	AFTER THE VERB
Place the degree adverb before the verb.	This usual placement is after the auxiliary verbs and before the main verb.	Longer expression tend to be placed after the verb.
He totally loves giving speeches. adverb - verb object	He will totally love giving speeches. aux - adverb - verb object	He loves giving speeches very much. verb object adverb
He loves giving speeches.	He will love giving a speech.	He loves giving speeches .

BEFORE THE VERB

BETWEEN AUXILIARY AND MAIN VERB

AFTER THE VERB

Place the degree adverb before the verb.

This usual placement is after the auxiliary verbs and before the main verb.

Longer expression tend to be placed after the verb.

He totally loves giving speeches.
adverb - verb object

He will totally love giving speeches.
aux - adverb - verb object

He loves giving speeches very much.
verb object adverb

Word Use for "Degree"

SENTENCE	DEGREE	SYNONYMS
He __________ loves public speaking. verb	VERY, VERY	absolutely, completely, enormously, excessively, fully, greatly, highly, hugely, immensely, infinitely intensely, profoundly, totally, tremendously, utterly
	VERY	moderately, noticeably, positively, really, simply , truly, very much
	NOT	hardly, barely, not (doesn't)

Word Use for "Completeness"

SENTENCE	DEGREE	SYNONYMS
We __________ agree. verb	COMPLETELY	completely, strongly, perfectly, totally, entirely, largely, positively, simply
	PARTLY	almost, nearly, partly, kind of, somewhat, hardly,
	NOT	hardly, barely, not (don't)

Adverbs for Degree

Modifying an Adverb

Placement — Modifying Adverbs

BEFORE THE ADVERB	BEFORE AND AFTER
Place the adverb before the adverb.	Place longer expressions after the adverb. See so, too, enough below.
The politician speaks rather persuasively. persuasively (adv.) – in a manner that makes other people believe something or do what you ask	This politician speaks as persuasively as Churchill. (unequal comparison) This politician speaks so persuasively that everyone follows him. *This politician speaks too persuasively to believe. This politician speaks persuasively enough to believe.

BEFORE THE ADVERB

BEFORE AND AFTER

Place the adverb before the adverb.

Place longer expressions after the adverb. See so, too, enough below.

The politician speaks rather persuasively.

persuasively (adv.) – in a manner that makes other people believe something or do what you ask

This politician speaks as persuasively as Churchill. (unequal comparison)
This politician speaks so persuasively that everyone follows him.
*This politician speaks too persuasively to believe.
This politician speaks persuasively enough to believe.

Excessive: (1) we don't believe him, or (2) there is no one like him before; unprecedented

Word Use for "Degree"

SENTENCE	DEGREE	SYNONYMS
The man speaks persuasively. adverb	EXCESSIVELY	awfully, dreadfully, exceedingly, incredibly, terribly, too, excessively
	VERY	extremely, really, remarkably, surprisingly, truly, downright, mighty, quite, rather, so, very, wonderfully
	SOMEWHAT	moderately, relatively, simply, somewhat
	NOT VERY	fairly, slightly, un (not)

Negatives

INTENSIVE ADVERB	NEGATIVE VERB	NEGATIVE ADVERB
Gives a compliment.	Suggests a problem.	Notes a problem.
He speaks very well.	He doesn't speak very well.	He speaks badly.
They work very well together.	They don't work very well together.	They work poorly together.

Adverbs for Degree

Modifying Adjectives

Placement – Modifying Adjectives

BEFORE	BEFORE AND AFTER
Place the adverb before the adjective.	Place longer expressions after the adjective. See so, too, enough below.
The speech was absolutely amazing.	His speech was as amazing as Churchill's. (comparison) His speech was so amazing that everyone cheered. His speech was too fantastic to believe. His speech was moderate enough to believe.

Word Use for "Degree" — How much?

SENTENCE	DEGREE	SYNONYMS
The design complex. adjective	EXTREMELY	awfully, dreadfully, enormously, exceedingly, extremely, incredibly, terribly, tremendously, too, excessively
	VERY	amazingly, really, remarkably, surprisingly, truly, downright, mighty, quite, rather, so, very, wonderfully
	SOMEWHAT	moderately, relatively, simply, somewhat, sufficiently
	NOT VERY	barely, fairly, slightly, un (not), hardly

Word Use for "Completeness"— How complete?

SENTENCE	DEGREE	SYNONYMS
The work is done. adjective	COMPLETELY	completely, practically, almost, nearly
PARTLY	partly, partially, kind of, about, somewhat, relatively,
NOT	hardly, barely, not (un)

SENTENCE

DEGREE

SYNONYMS

COMPLETELY

completely, practically, almost, nearly

PARTLY

partly, partially, kind of, about, somewhat, relatively,

NOT

hardly, barely, not (un)

An Ambiguous Modifier Placement

AMBIGUOUS MODIFIER (UNCLEAR)	POSSIBLE MEANINGS
Sometimes a modifier can modify one of two words, but its not clear which one.	In one interpretation it could modify the verb. In another it could modify the object. If context does not clarify the meaning, then re-order the words.
He believes absolutely everything you tell him. Which word does absolutely modify? The modifier could modify word before or after it. The meaning changes only slightly.	1) He absolutely believes everything you tell him. absolutely modifies believes (v.) 2) He believes absolutely everything you tell him. absolutely modifies everything (adj-det.)

AMBIGUOUS MODIFIER (UNCLEAR)

POSSIBLE MEANINGS

Sometimes a modifier can modify one of two words, but its not clear which one.

In one interpretation it could modify the verb. In another it could modify the object. If context does not clarify the meaning, then re-order the words.

He believes absolutely everything you tell him. Which word does absolutely modify?

The modifier could modify word before or after it. The meaning changes only slightly.

1) He absolutely believes everything you tell him. absolutely modifies believes (v.)

2) He believes absolutely everything you tell him. absolutely modifies everything (adj-det.)

ambiguous (adj) – something that is unclear, confusing, or not certain, especially because it can be understood in more than one way

Special Adverbs

So/Very, Too, Enough

Using too, very and enough

SO / VERY	TOO	ENOUGH
Intensive	Excessive (negative - a problem)	Adequate (positive - no problem)
He speaks so / very slowly. (adv)	He speaks too slowly. (adv) not good!	He speaks slowly enough. (adv) good!
He is so / very careful .(adj)	He is too careful. (adj) not good!	He is careful enough. (adj) good!

Expressions

SO…THAT	TOO…TO	ENOUGH…TO
So may include a that clause placed after the adjective or adverb.	Too may include a for or to clause that is placed after the adjective or adverb.	Enough may include a for or to clause that is placed after the adjective or adverb.
He speaks so fast that I can't understand him. (adv)	He speaks too fast for me to understand.	He speaks slowly enough for me to understand. (adv)
He is so interesting that we love to listen to him. (adv)	He speaks too fast to understand.	He is smart enough to do the job. (adj)

Also see "So" Phrases | So & Such – that: cause & effect clauses

Negatives

NOT SO / VERY	NOT TOO	NOT ENOUGH
He doesn't work very hard. (problem)	He doesn't work too hard. (no problem)	He doesn't work hard enough. (problem)
He isn't so smart. (a problem)	He isn't too smart. (maybe a problem)	He isn't smart enough. (a problem)

Common Mistakes

ERROR	FIX
*He earns too much money. How can money (a good thing) be excessive?	He earns so much money. He earns too much money to pay middle-class tax rates. Qualify how the money (a good thing) can be excessive.
*She is too beautiful. (negative meaning) How can beauty (a good thing) be excessive?	She is so beautiful. She is too beautiful for words. She is beautiful. Qualify how her beauty (a good thing) can be excessive.

ERROR

FIX

*He earns too much money.

How can money (a good thing) be excessive?

He earns so much money.
He earns too much money to pay middle-class tax rates.

Qualify how the money (a good thing) can be excessive.

*She is too beautiful. (negative meaning)

How can beauty (a good thing) be excessive?

She is so beautiful.
She is too beautiful for words. She is beautiful.

Qualify how her beauty (a good thing) can be excessive.

*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.

Practice

Using Adverbs in Sentences

Select the adverb that best completes the sentence.
Then click the button on the right to check your answer.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	CHECK
1.	President Obama communicates well.
2.	He speaks confidently.
3.	His basket ball skills are good .
4.	He can get around the basketball court fast .
5.	At the Inaugural Ball, he surprised us by dancing well.
6.	President Obama has difficult job.
7.	The members of Congress, he said, together.
8.	A "divided country" makes the job much more difficult.
9.	President Obama is regarded by other senators. regard = admire
10.	The opposition agrees with him .

Practice 2

Word Use

1. Decide on and select the options that can complete the sentence. (Choices will vary with native speakers depending on local speech patterns.)

2. An option that does not sound natural will appear with an asterisk *. An option that is questionably possible is marked with (?)

#	FEEDBACK	YOUR RESPONSE
11.	Those shoes are perfect. (adj.)	very so simply completely terrifically strongly
12.	Eric agrees with your point of view. (verb)	positively very simply completely rather strongly
13.	Anne planned a(n) detailed wedding. (adj.)	incredibly greatly virtually partly absolutely unbelievably
14.	We were finished when he came back and wanted changes in the plan. (verb / adj.)	largely greatly virtually almost absolutely nearly
15.	The house was badly constructed. (verb / adj.)	rather highly largely hugely quite relatively
16.	The movie is popular. (adj.)	easily fantastically enormously hugely quite utterly

Practice 3

The Pros and Cons of Internships

Add to and edit the sentence.

1. Edit the sentence adding the degree adverb.

2. Compare your edit with the feedback.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	FEEDBACK
17.	Finding jobs continues to be difficult for young people graduating from college. ADD: extremely Edit 17: Finding jobs continues to be difficult for young people graduating from college.
18.	The job market has been slow to improve. ADD: incredibly Edit 18: The job market has been slow to improve.
19.	Those people who do find jobs have to be clever to get into a company for an interview. ADD:remarkably Edit 19: Those people who do find jobs have to be clever to get into a company for an interview.
20.	Many are happy to take non-paying internships in order to get work experience. internship (n.) – a job that lasts for a short time, that someone, especially a student, does in order to gain experience ADD:perfectly Edit 20: Many are happy to take non-paying internships in order to get work experience.
21.	After the internship, an intern hopes to be hired or at least be recommended for another job. ADD: well Edit 21: After the inters hip, an intern hopes to be hired or at least be recommended for another job.
22.	The intern's presence in the office can be helpful. ADD:tremendously Edit 22: The intern's presence in the office can be helpful.
23.	In a good internship, an intern has a enlightening experience. ADD: highly Edit 23: In a good internship, an intern has a enlightening experience.
24.	In a bad internship, an intern is treated rudely, asked to fo ordinary tasks and is poorly compensated. (rewarded) ADD:somewhat, rather, very Edit 24: In a bad internship, an intern is treated somewhat rudely, asked to do rather ordinary tasks and is very poorly compensated.
25.	After the internship is over, the intern may or may not be in a better position to find a paying job. ADD: very much, sufficiently Edit 25: After the internship is over, the intern may or may not be in a very much better position to find a paying job.

Grammar-Quizzes.com

PRACTICE ON POINTS OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR

Adverbs for Degree

Expressing Intensity — How much?

Degree Adverb Uses

Adverbs for Degree

Meanings

Secondary Meanings

Variation in Meaning and Usage

Degree Adverbs List

without -ly

Adverbs for Degree

Modifying a Verb

Placement

Word Use for "Degree"

Word Use for "Completeness"

Adverbs for Degree

Modifying an Adverb

Placement — Modifying Adverbs

Word Use for "Degree"

Negatives

Adverbs for Degree

Modifying Adjectives

Placement – Modifying Adjectives

Word Use for "Degree" — How much?

Word Use for "Completeness"— How complete?

An Ambiguous Modifier Placement

Special Adverbs

So/Very, Too, Enough

Using too, very and enough

Expressions

Negatives

Common Mistakes

Practice

Using Adverbs in Sentences

Practice 2

Word Use

Practice 3

The Pros and Cons of Internships

Add to and edit the sentence.