When learning English, one of the essential aspects that can greatly enhance your fluency and precision is understanding and using degree adverbs effectively. Degree adverbs are a specific type of adverb that modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs to indicate the intensity, extent, or degree of an action or quality. They are incredibly useful in providing more nuanced and specific information in both written and spoken English.
What Are Degree Adverbs?
Degree adverbs, also known as intensifiers, are words that are used to modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs to show the intensity or degree of something. For example, in the sentence “She is very happy,” the degree adverb “very” modifies the adjective “happy” to show a higher degree of happiness.
Categories of Degree Adverbs
Degree adverbs can be categorized into several types based on the intensity or extent they convey. Here are some common categories:
1. **Intensifiers**: These adverbs increase the intensity of the adjective, verb, or adverb they modify.
– Examples: very, extremely, highly, totally, absolutely
– Usage: “He is extremely talented.”
2. **Diminishers**: These adverbs decrease the intensity of the adjective, verb, or adverb they modify.
– Examples: slightly, somewhat, hardly, barely
– Usage: “She is slightly annoyed.”
3. **Amplifiers**: These adverbs amplify the degree of the adjective, verb, or adverb they modify.
– Examples: completely, totally, utterly, thoroughly
– Usage: “The movie was utterly disappointing.”
4. **Downtoners**: These adverbs reduce the intensity of the adjective, verb, or adverb they modify.
– Examples: fairly, quite, rather, somewhat
– Usage: “The test was quite difficult.”
Common Degree Adverbs and Their Usage
Let’s dive deeper into some of the most commonly used degree adverbs and how they can be effectively incorporated into sentences.
Very
“Very” is one of the most frequently used degree adverbs in English. It is used to emphasize the extent of an adjective or another adverb.
– Example: “She is very intelligent.”
– In this sentence, “very” intensifies the adjective “intelligent” to show a high level of intelligence.
Extremely
“Extremely” is used to indicate a very high degree of something.
– Example: “The weather is extremely cold today.”
– Here, “extremely” modifies the adjective “cold” to show a very high degree of coldness.
Quite
“Quite” can be a bit tricky as it can mean both “to a certain extent” and “completely,” depending on the context.
– Example 1: “The book is quite interesting.” (to a certain extent)
– Example 2: “She is quite right.” (completely)
– In the first example, “quite” suggests the book is interesting to some extent, while in the second example, it means she is completely right.
Fairly
“Fairly” is used to moderate the intensity of an adjective or adverb.
– Example: “The movie was fairly good.”
– In this sentence, “fairly” reduces the intensity of “good,” suggesting the movie was good but not outstanding.
Too
“Too” indicates an excessive degree of something.
– Example: “The soup is too hot to eat.”
– Here, “too” modifies “hot” to show that the soup is excessively hot, making it inedible.
Completely
“Completely” is used to show that something is done to a full extent.
– Example: “She was completely surprised by the news.”
– In this case, “completely” intensifies “surprised” to show a full extent of surprise.
Placement of Degree Adverbs
The placement of degree adverbs in a sentence is crucial for conveying the correct meaning. Typically, degree adverbs are placed directly before the adjective, verb, or adverb they modify.
Before Adjectives
When modifying adjectives, degree adverbs are placed directly before the adjective.
– Example: “He is very excited about the trip.”
– Here, “very” modifies the adjective “excited.”
Before Adverbs
When modifying other adverbs, degree adverbs are placed directly before the adverb.
– Example: “She runs extremely quickly.”
– In this sentence, “extremely” modifies the adverb “quickly.”
Before Verbs
When modifying verbs, degree adverbs can be placed before the verb or at the end of the sentence, depending on the emphasis.
– Example 1: “He completely understands the problem.”
– Example 2: “He understands the problem completely.”
– Both sentences are correct, but the placement can slightly change the emphasis.
Special Cases and Exceptions
As with many aspects of the English language, there are special cases and exceptions to the general rules of degree adverbs.
Adverbs with Irregular Forms
Some adverbs have irregular forms when used as degree adverbs. For instance, the adverb “well” becomes “better” or “best” when indicating degrees.
– Example: “She sings better than her sister.”
Double Negatives
In English, using two negative forms together can create an unintended positive meaning. This can occur with degree adverbs as well.
– Example: “She is not unhappy.”
– The double negative “not unhappy” means she is somewhat happy.
Contextual Meaning
The meaning of some degree adverbs can change based on context. For example, “quite” can mean both “to a certain extent” and “completely.”
– Context is crucial to understanding the intended meaning.
Common Mistakes with Degree Adverbs
Even advanced English learners can make mistakes with degree adverbs. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:
Overuse of Intensifiers
Using too many intensifiers can make your writing or speech sound exaggerated or less credible.
– Example: “The movie was very extremely interesting.”
– Avoid using multiple intensifiers together. Instead, choose the most appropriate one.
Incorrect Placement
Placing degree adverbs incorrectly can lead to confusion or incorrect meaning.
– Example: “She almost has finished her homework.”
– Correct Placement: “She has almost finished her homework.”
Misunderstanding Contextual Meaning
Misinterpreting the contextual meaning of degree adverbs can lead to incorrect usage.
– Example: Misunderstanding “quite” as “completely” when it means “to a certain extent.”
– Pay attention to the context to understand the intended meaning.
Practice Exercises
To master degree adverbs, practice is essential. Here are some exercises to help you get started:
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate degree adverb:
1. She was __________ happy with her exam results. (very, slightly)
2. The cake is __________ sweet for my taste. (too, quite)
3. He runs __________ fast. (extremely, fairly)
4. The weather is __________ cold today. (completely, extremely)
5. She is __________ surprised by the news. (utterly, fairly)
Exercise 2: Sentence Correction
Correct the sentences by placing the degree adverb in the correct position:
1. He reads almost the book.
2. The movie was very quite interesting.
3. She is too much tired to continue.
4. They completely have finished the project.
5. The soup is hot too to eat.
Exercise 3: Contextual Meaning
Choose the correct meaning of the degree adverb in the sentence:
1. The book is quite interesting.
a) Completely interesting
b) To a certain extent interesting
2. She is quite right.
a) Completely right
b) To a certain extent right
3. The weather is fairly good.
a) Moderately good
b) Extremely good
Answers to Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
1. She was very happy with her exam results.
2. The cake is too sweet for my taste.
3. He runs extremely fast.
4. The weather is extremely cold today.
5. She is utterly surprised by the news.
Exercise 2: Sentence Correction
1. He reads almost the book. -> He has almost finished the book.
2. The movie was very quite interesting. -> The movie was quite interesting.
3. She is too much tired to continue. -> She is too tired to continue.
4. They completely have finished the project. -> They have completely finished the project.
5. The soup is hot too to eat. -> The soup is too hot to eat.
Exercise 3: Contextual Meaning
1. The book is quite interesting.
a) Completely interesting
b) To a certain extent interesting
2. She is quite right.
a) Completely right
b) To a certain extent right
3. The weather is fairly good.
a) Moderately good
b) Extremely good
Conclusion
Mastering degree adverbs is an essential step in becoming proficient in English. These adverbs add depth and precision to your language, allowing you to express varying degrees of intensity and extent. By understanding the different categories, common usage, placement rules, and contextual meanings of degree adverbs, you can significantly improve your communication skills. Remember, practice is key to mastering any aspect of a language, so keep practicing with exercises and incorporating degree adverbs into your everyday language use. Happy learning!
