The adverbs of degree are essential tools for expressing intensity and extent in our sentences. They provide clarity on whether something is completed, nearly finished, or somewhat challenging, making our communication more precise and impactful. In this blog, you'll confidently explore the various types of degree adverbs, discover numerous examples, and familiarise yourself with common terms and their placement. Be sure to check out the worksheet for effective practice that will solidify your understanding and skills. Scroll down!
Table of Contents
An adverb of degree is a word that modifies the intensity or extent of an adjective, verb, or another adverb. It answers questions like “how much?” or “to what extent?” These adverbs typically come before the word they modify. To provide a clearer understanding of the adverb of degree meaning, here are some examples and definitions from reputable dictionaries:
Here are some adverbs of degree definitions from reputable dictionaries:
Here are some adverbs of degree examples in sentences to help you understand how to use them correctly:
Intensifying:
Reducing:
Other Notables:
These adverb of degree examples, definitions, and meanings to enhance your understanding of adverbs of degree.
Adverbs of degree indicate the intensity or extent to which an action, quality, or state is present. They can be categorized into Strengthening, Diminishing, and Limiting Adverbs. Below is a detailed description of each type:
These adverbs increase the intensity of the word they modify. Examples include: very, extremely, absolutely, completely, and really.
These adverbs decrease the intensity of the word they modify. Examples include: slightly, somewhat, fairly, rather, and partially.
These adverbs restrict the degree or extent to which something applies. Examples include: almost, nearly, barely, just, and partly.
Refer to the following table for a list of common adverbs of degree along with their descriptions and examples:
| Adverb of Degree | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Very | Indicates a high degree, often used with positive or neutral adjectives and adverbs. | very happy, very quickly |
| Extremely | Similar to "very" but often suggests a higher degree of intensity. | extremely talented, extremely cold |
| Quite | It can mean "to a certain extent" or "completely," depending on the context. | quite good, quite finished |
| Almost | Indicates something is nearly, but not quite, the case. | almost finished, almost reached |
| Too | Indicates an excess or an undesirable degree. | too expensive, too loud |
| Enough | Indicates a sufficient or adequate degree. | old enough, strong enough |
| Completely | Indicates a total or absolute degree. | completely destroyed, completely satisfied |
| Absolutely | Similar to "completely," emphasizing the highest degree of certainty. | absolutely sure, absolutely right |
| Slightly | Indicates a small or minor degree. | slightly damaged, slightly tired |
| Partially | Indicates a degree of something that is not whole or complete. | partially damaged, partially correct |
| Barely | Indicates a minimal degree, often used with negative connotations. | barely survived, barely made it |
| Hardly | Similar to "barely," but often implies difficulty or effort. | hardly working, hardly slept |
| Scarcely | Similar to "barely," but often suggests a lack of something. | scarcely believable, scarcely enough |
| Nearly | Indicates something is close to happening or being true. | nearly there, nearly finished |
| Somewhat | Indicates a moderate degree, or a degree that is not very strong. | somewhat helpful, somewhat tired |
| Really | Indicates a high degree of intensity, often used with positive or neutral adjectives. | Really enjoyed, really good |
| Fairly | Indicates a moderate degree, similar to "somewhat," but can also imply a positive assessment. | fairly good, fairly easy |
| Utterly | Indicates a complete or total degree, often with negative connotations. | utterly devastated, utterly confused |
| Highly | Indicates a high degree, often used with positive or neutral adjectives, particularly those relating to ability or respect. | highly respected, highly skilled |
Adverbs of degree, which indicate the intensity of an adjective, verb, or another adverb, are generally placed before the word they modify. However, there are exceptions, such as “enough,” which usually follows the word it modifies. Here’s how to clearly understand their placement:
General Placement:
Exceptions:
Note: Some adverbs of degree, such as “very,” are not used with non-gradable adjectives (e.g., “perfect,” “freezing”).
In this adverbs of degree exercise, you have to replace the underlined adverb with either a stronger or weaker adverb of degree, as directed.
1. He was very happy with the result. (Replace with a stronger adverb)
2. He was completely (Replace with a weaker adverb)
3. This bedroom is slightly (Replace with a stronger adverb)
4. The story was quite (Replace with a stronger adverb)
5. We were really surprised by the news. (Replace with a stronger adverb)
6. I’m totally sure about my answer. (Replace with a weaker adverb)
7. She was extremely kind to the guests. (Replace with a weaker adverb)
8. The weather is very hot today. (Replace with a stronger adverb)
9. He barely passed the exam. (Replace with a stronger adverb)
10. They were absolutely (Replace with a weaker adverb)
Answers:
1. He was absolutely happy with the result.
2. He was very tired.
3. This room is quite messy.
4. The story was extremely boring.
5. We were totally surprised by the news.
6. I’m fairly sure about my answer.
7. She was quite kind to the guests.
8. The weather is extremely hot today.
9. He almost failed the exam.
10. They were very thrilled.
In summary, this blog post discussed adverbs of degree. After reading it, you should have a clear understanding of their meaning, types, and a list of common adverbs of degree. Additionally, you have completed an exercise on adverbs of degree along with the answers. If you have any further questions or want to learn english, feel free to consult our experts at Gradding.com. They are here to support you at every step, ensuring that you don’t have to face difficulties alone.
1. What Is the Difference Between “Too,” “Very,” and “Enough”?
“Too,” “very,” and “enough” are all intensifiers, but they serve different purposes. “Too” implies excess, meaning more than what is desired or necessary. “Very” simply adds emphasis to an adjective or adverb. “Enough” indicates sufficiency, meaning the right amount or a satisfactory level.
2. Are Adverbs ofDegree Only Used with Adjectives?
No, adverbs of degree are not limited to adjectives. While they are commonly used to modify adjectives, they can also modify verbs and other adverbs to indicate the extent or degree of something.
3. What is the Difference Between an Adverb of manner and an Adverb of Degree?
Adverbs of manner and degree serve different purposes in a sentence. Adverbs of manner describe how an action is performed, while adverbs of degree specify the intensity or extent of something.
4. What Is the Difference Between an Adverb of Degree and an Adverb of Quantity?
Both adverbs of degree and quantity provide information about the extent of something, but they differ in what they emphasize and modify.
5. What is the Difference Between an Adverb of Frequency and an Adverb of Degree?
Adverbs of frequency and adverbs of degree serve different purposes. Adverbs of frequency indicate how often an action occurs, while degree adverbs indicate the intensity or extent of an action, quality, or other adverb.
We are available in :
BangaloreAhmedabadJaipurHyderabadKeralaPuneChandigarhMumbaiGurgaonChennaiKolkataTrivandrumNoidaKochiCalicutKottayamKollamThrissurIndoreUdaipurdisclaimer:logos and other registered trademarks of universities used on this platform are held by their respective owners. Gradding does not claim ownership or association on them, and their use is purely for informational and illustrative purposes.
