Intensifiers helps you communicate about degree, emphasis and moderated claims. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can adjust the strength of adjectives and adverbs with suitable intensifiers.
- Recognise and build the form: very/really/quite + gradable; absolutely/completely + extreme adjective; much/far + comparative.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use Intensifiers for degree, emphasis and moderated claims. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
The lecture was very interesting.
'Very' naturally intensifies the gradable adjective 'interesting'.
The view was absolutely breathtaking.
Use an absolute intensifier with the extreme adjective 'breathtaking'.
This version is much better than the previous one.
Use 'much' to intensify a comparative adjective.
very/really/quite + gradable; absolutely/completely + extreme adjective; much/far + comparativeKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- 'Very' naturally intensifies the gradable adjective 'interesting'.
- Use an absolute intensifier with the extreme adjective 'breathtaking'.
- Use 'much' to intensify a comparative adjective.
- 'Really' can intensify a gradable adjective.
- 'Completely' pairs naturally with the non-gradable state 'empty'.
Common mistakes
Not:The lecture was absolutely interesting.
Use:The lecture was very interesting.
'Very' naturally intensifies the gradable adjective 'interesting'.
Not:The view was very breathtaking.
Use:The view was absolutely breathtaking.
Use an absolute intensifier with the extreme adjective 'breathtaking'.
Not:This version is very better than the previous one.
Use:This version is much better than the previous one.
Use 'much' to intensify a comparative adjective.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
I was ____ surprised by the result.
really
'Really' can intensify a gradable adjective.
The room is ____ empty.
completely
'Completely' pairs naturally with the non-gradable state 'empty'.
The task was ____ difficult, but manageable.
quite
'Quite' gives a moderate-to-strong degree with a gradable adjective.