Adverbs of Degree

by | Feb 12, 2025 | Vocabulary Tips | 0 comments

Adverbs of degree play an important role in making sentences more precise and expressive. They describe how much or to what extent something happens.

In this article, you will learn what adverbs of degree are, how they function, types of adverbs of degree, and how to correctly use them in sentences.

Adverbs of degree are words that tell us the intensity, strength, or extent of an action, adjective, or another adverb. 

For example:

  • She almost won the competition.
  • The food was very spicey.
  • He ran extremely fast.

Common Adverbs of Degree in English

  • very, extremely, absolutely, totally
  • quite, rather, fairly, pretty
  • slightly, a little, somewhat, barely
  • hardly, scarcely, not at all

Types of Adverbs of Degree

Types of adverbs of degrees are:

  • High degree adverbs
  • Moderate degree adverbs
  • Low degree adverbs
  • Negative degree adverbs

1. High Degree Adverbs

These adverbs show a s strong or extreme intensity of something.

Examples:

  • She is absolutely sure about her decision.
  • The exam was extremely difficult.
  • I was totally exhausted after the trip.

2. Moderate Degree Adverbs

These adverbs describe a medium level of intensity. 

Examples:

  • The movie was quite interesting.
  • She is fairly confident about her speech.
  • This book is rather difficult to understand.

3. Low Degree Adverbs

Low degree adverbs show a small amount or sligt intensity.

Examples:

  • I feel slightly cold.
  • The weather was a little warm.
  • She was somewhat confused.

4. Negative Degree Adverbs

These adverbs express a negative degree or almost no intensity.

Examples:

  • I hardly know him.
  • She was scarcely able to breathe.
  • He is not at all interested in sports.

How to Use Adverbs of Degree Correctly

Adverbs of degree are usually placed before the word they modify. 

Before an adjective:

  • The cake was very delicious.

Before an adverb:

  • She speaks quite fluently.

Before a verb:

  • I almost forgot my keys.

Adverbs of Degree with Adjectives and Verbs

Adverbs of degree modify adjectives to show how strong or weak the quality is. For examples:

  • The view is absolutely beautiful.

They modify verbs to show how much of an action is done. 

  • He barely finished his homework.

Adverbs of Degree in Comparisons

Some adverbs of degree can be used in comparisons.

  • He is much taller than his brother.
  • This dress is far more expensive than that one.

Examples of Adverbs of Degree in Sentences

  • She almost won the game.
  • He hardly spoke during the meeting.
  • I completely understand your point.
  • The soup is too hot to eat.
  • Her explanation was rather confusing.
  • The baby is absolutely adorable.

Adverbs of degree are essential for expressing intensity and extent in English. They modify verbs, adjectives, and adverbs to add more detail in the sentences and make sentences more precise and meaningful.

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