Adverbs are an essential part of speech in the English language. They provide additional information about how, when, where, and to what extent an action occurs. One of the most interesting and useful categories of adverbs is adverbs of degree. These adverbs help you specify the intensity or degree of an action, an adjective, or another adverb. Understanding how to use adverbs of degree can significantly enhance your communication skills by making your expressions more precise and nuanced.
What Are Adverbs of Degree?
Adverbs of degree tell us about the intensity or degree of an action, an adjective, or another adverb. They answer the question “to what extent?” For example, in the sentence “She is very tall,” the adverb “very” modifies the adjective “tall” to indicate a high degree of height. Adverbs of degree can be used in various contexts to modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
Common Adverbs of Degree
There are many adverbs of degree in English, but some of the most commonly used include:
– Very
– Too
– Quite
– Almost
– Enough
– Extremely
– Hardly
– Just
– Nearly
– Completely
– Absolutely
– Barely
Each of these adverbs serves a specific purpose and can be used in different contexts to convey varying degrees of intensity.
Using Adverbs of Degree with Adjectives
One of the most common uses of adverbs of degree is to modify adjectives. This helps to provide more information about the intensity of the adjective. Here are some examples:
1. **Very**: This is one of the most commonly used adverbs of degree. It can be used to intensify both positive and negative adjectives.
– She is very intelligent.
– The movie was very boring.
2. **Too**: This adverb indicates an excessive degree, often implying a negative consequence.
– The soup is too hot to eat.
– He is too young to drive.
3. **Quite**: This adverb suggests a moderate degree, stronger than “somewhat” but not as strong as “very.”
– The book was quite interesting.
– She is quite talented.
4. **Extremely**: This adverb indicates a very high degree.
– The weather is extremely cold today.
– He is extremely happy with his results.
5. **Almost**: This adverb indicates that something is nearly the case.
– She is almost ready for the trip.
– The bottle is almost empty.
Using Adverbs of Degree with Verbs
Adverbs of degree can also modify verbs to give more information about the intensity or extent of the action. Here are some examples:
1. **Completely**: This adverb indicates that the action is done to its fullest extent.
– He completely forgot about the meeting.
– The room was completely dark.
2. **Hardly**: This adverb suggests that the action happens to a very minimal extent.
– She hardly speaks during meetings.
– He hardly slept last night.
3. **Almost**: This adverb indicates that the action is nearly done.
– I almost finished the project.
– She almost missed the bus.
4. **Barely**: Similar to “hardly,” this adverb suggests that the action happens to a very minimal extent.
– He barely passed the exam.
– She barely touched her food.
Using Adverbs of Degree with Other Adverbs
Adverbs of degree can also modify other adverbs to indicate the intensity of the action described by the adverb. Here are some examples:
1. **Very**: This is a common adverb of degree used to modify other adverbs.
– She sang very beautifully.
– He ran very quickly.
2. **Too**: This adverb indicates an excessive degree.
– She speaks too softly to be heard.
– He drives too fast.
3. **Quite**: This adverb suggests a moderate degree.
– She dances quite gracefully.
– He answered quite confidently.
4. **Extremely**: This adverb indicates a very high degree.
– She performed extremely well.
– He reacted extremely quickly.
Position of Adverbs of Degree
The position of adverbs of degree can vary depending on what they modify. Here are some general guidelines:
1. **With Adjectives**: Adverbs of degree usually come before the adjective.
– She is very smart.
– The movie was too long.
2. **With Verbs**: Adverbs of degree usually come after the verb they modify.
– He works hardly.
– She almost cried.
3. **With Other Adverbs**: Adverbs of degree usually come before the adverb they modify.
– She sang very well.
– He drives too fast.
Comparative and Superlative Forms
Some adverbs of degree can also have comparative and superlative forms to show varying degrees of comparison. Here are some examples:
1. **Much**: More, Most
– She is much happier now.
– She is more confident than before.
– She is the most confident person I know.
2. **Little**: Less, Least
– He is little worried about the exam.
– He is less worried than she is.
– He is the least worried among his friends.
3. **Far**: Further, Furthest
– He can run far.
– He can run further than his brother.
– He can run the furthest in his class.
Adverbs of Degree in Negative Sentences
Adverbs of degree can also be used in negative sentences to indicate the extent of the negation. Here are some examples:
1. **Hardly**: This adverb suggests that the action happens to a very minimal extent.
– She hardly knows him.
– He hardly ever speaks in class.
2. **Barely**: Similar to “hardly,” this adverb suggests that the action happens to a very minimal extent.
– She barely passed the test.
– He barely touched his dinner.
3. **Not at all**: This phrase indicates a complete negation.
– She is not at all interested in the offer.
– He was not at all surprised by the news.
Common Mistakes and Tips
Using adverbs of degree can be tricky, especially for non-native speakers. Here are some common mistakes and tips to avoid them:
1. **Overusing “Very”**: While “very” is a useful adverb of degree, overusing it can make your speech or writing monotonous. Try to use other adverbs of degree to add variety.
– Instead of saying “She is very happy,” you can say “She is extremely happy.”
2. **Incorrect Position**: Placing the adverb of degree in the wrong position can make the sentence awkward or confusing.
– Incorrect: She very is smart.
– Correct: She is very smart.
3. **Confusing “Too” and “Very”**: “Too” often implies a negative consequence, while “very” simply intensifies.
– Incorrect: She is too beautiful.
– Correct: She is very beautiful.
– Correct: She is too tired to work.
4. **Using “Enough” Incorrectly**: “Enough” usually comes after the adjective it modifies.
– Incorrect: She is enough tall.
– Correct: She is tall enough.
Practice Exercises
To master the use of adverbs of degree, practice is essential. Here are some exercises to help you improve:
1. **Fill in the blanks with appropriate adverbs of degree**:
– She is _______ (very/too) talented.
– He works _______ (hardly/extremely) hard.
– The water is _______ (almost/completely) frozen.
– She was _______ (quite/too) happy with the results.
2. **Rewrite the sentences using different adverbs of degree**:
– The movie was very interesting. (quite)
– He is too tired to continue. (extremely)
– She speaks very softly. (hardly)
– The task is almost done. (nearly)
3. **Identify the adverbs of degree in the following sentences and specify what they modify**:
– She is extremely intelligent.
– He almost missed the train.
– They are quite satisfied with the service.
– She barely touched her food.
Conclusion
Adverbs of degree are crucial for providing more information about the intensity or extent of an action, adjective, or another adverb. By mastering their use, you can make your speech and writing more precise and expressive. Remember to pay attention to their position in the sentence and to choose the appropriate adverb to convey the desired degree of intensity. With practice, you’ll find that using adverbs of degree becomes second nature, enhancing your overall communication skills.
