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Using very, quite, rather, too, enough and other degree adverbs.
Adverbs of degree express the intensity, extent or quantity of an action, quality, state or another modifier.
They answer questions such as "How much?", "To what extent?" and "How intensely?".
Common degree adverbs include very, quite, rather, fairly, really, extremely, too, enough, almost and nearly.
Each expresses a different level of intensity or extent.
Degree adverbs usually appear immediately before the word they modify.
Examples include very interesting, extremely quickly, almost finished and really enjoyed.
Too expresses excess, while enough expresses sufficiency.
Too normally comes before an adjective or adverb, whereas enough usually follows the adjective or adverb but precedes a noun.
These adverbs express approximation or limitation but have different meanings and grammatical behavior.
Almost and nearly are often interchangeable, while hardly has a negative meaning and is not equivalent to hard.
The choice of a degree adverb depends on whether the modified adjective is gradable or non-gradable.
Compare very cold with absolutely impossible and fairly interesting with completely exhausted.
Degree adverbs either strengthen or weaken the intensity of meaning.
Intensifiers increase force, while downtoners reduce or limit it.
Degree adverbs can be classified according to the level of intensity they express.
Major groups include maximizers (absolutely, completely), boosters (very, really, extremely), moderators (quite, rather, fairly), diminishers (slightly, somewhat, a little), approximators (almost, nearly) and minimizers (hardly, scarcely, barely).
Some degree adverbs modify verbs instead of adjectives or other adverbs.
Examples include completely understand, almost forgot, hardly noticed, strongly recommend and fully agree.
Many degree adverbs form preferred collocations with particular adjectives and verbs.
Examples include deeply concerned, highly successful, strongly agree, bitterly disappointed, utterly ridiculous and perfectly clear.
The choice of a degree adverb depends on meaning, collocation, emphasis and register.
Some degree adverbs are characteristic of formal, informal or academic English, while others convey the speaker's attitude or evaluation.
Use degree adverbs with appropriate words and place them correctly in the sentence.
Common mistakes include confusing too with very, placing enough incorrectly, combining unsuitable intensifiers with non-gradable adjectives, confusing hard and hardly, and translating intensifiers directly from another language.