Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. What Are Adverbs of Degree?
  3. Common Adverbs of Degree
  4. Position of Adverbs of Degree in a Sentence
  5. Using Adverbs of Degree Correctly
  6. Comparing Adverbs of Degree
  7. Common Mistakes with Adverbs of Degree
  8. Adverbs of Degree Exercises
  9. Answers
  10. Conclusion

Introduction

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on adverbs of degree in English! Adverbs of degree are words that describe the intensity or degree of an action, adjective, or another adverb. They help us express how much or to what extent something happens, making our communication more precise and nuanced.

This guide is designed specifically for ESL students. We’ll explain what adverbs of degree are, provide lists of common examples, discuss where to place them in a sentence, and show you how to use them correctly. We’ll also highlight common mistakes and offer exercises to help you practise. By the end of this guide, you’ll feel confident using adverbs of degree in your everyday English conversations and writing.

What Are Adverbs of Degree?

Adverbs of degree modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to express the intensity, degree, or extent of an action or quality. They answer the question “how much?” or “to what extent?”

  • She is very happy.
  • He drove extremely fast.
  • The coffee is too hot.

Common Adverbs of Degree

Here are some of the most commonly used adverbs of degree:

  • Very
  • Too
  • Quite
  • Enough
  • Extremely
  • Almost
  • Nearly
  • Just
  • Hardly
  • Completely
  • Absolutely
  • Fairly
  • So
  • Rather
  • Totally

Position of Adverbs of Degree in a Sentence

The position of an adverb of degree depends on what it is modifying:

  • Before adjectives or adverbs:
  • She is extremely intelligent.
  • He ran very quickly.
  • Before the main verb:
  • I almost forgot your birthday.
  • They hardly know each other.
  • After the verb ‘to be’:
  • She is quite tired.
  • The soup was too salty.

Using Adverbs of Degree Correctly

Adverbs of degree can modify different parts of speech:

Modifying Adjectives

  • The movie was absolutely fantastic.
  • It’s quite cold today.

Modifying Verbs

  • She almost fell asleep during the lecture.
  • They completely forgot about the meeting.

Modifying Other Adverbs

  • He plays tennis very well.
  • She drives extremely carefully.

Comparing Adverbs of Degree

Adverbs of degree can be used to make comparisons:

  • She sings more beautifully than her sister.
  • This test is less difficult than the last one.
  • He works as hard as his colleague.

Common Mistakes with Adverbs of Degree

1. Using “Too” Instead of “Very”

❌ The food is very spicy to eat.

✅ The food is too spicy to eat.

Tip: Use “too” to indicate an excessive degree that results in a negative outcome.

2. Misplacing the Adverb

❌ She speaks English very wellly.

✅ She speaks English very well.

Tip: Place the adverb of degree before the adverb it modifies.

3. Using “Enough” Incorrectly

❌ He is not tall enough for ride the rollercoaster.

✅ He is not tall enough to ride the rollercoaster.

Tip: When using “enough” with an adjective, follow it with “to” and a verb.

4. Overusing Adverbs of Degree

❌ She is very extremely tired.

✅ She is extremely tired.

Tip: Avoid using multiple adverbs of degree together unless appropriate.

5. Confusing “So” and “Such”

❌ It was such hot day.

✅ It was so hot.

Tip: Use “so” before adjectives and adverbs, and “such” before noun phrases.

Adverbs of Degree Exercises

Now it’s time to practise! Complete the following exercises to test your understanding of adverbs of degree.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct adverb of degree from the list to complete each sentence: (very, too, enough, quite, extremely)

  1. She is _______ excited about the trip.
  2. The water is _______ cold to swim in.
  3. He isn’t tall _______ to reach the shelf.
  4. They are _______ busy at the moment.
  5. The movie was _______ interesting.

Exercise 2: Correct the Mistakes

Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.

  1. The test was too easy.
  2. She sings good enough to be a professional.
  3. He drives enough fast to win the race.
  4. The coffee is very hot to drink.
  5. They were so happy that they couldn’t stop smiling.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite the sentences using the adverb of degree in brackets.

  1. She is intelligent. (extremely)
  2. The room was clean. (quite)
  3. He speaks French well. (very)
  4. They are busy today. (too)
  5. The puzzle is difficult. (fairly)

Exercise 4: Choose the Correct Option

Select the correct adverb of degree to complete each sentence.

  1. She was _______ tired to continue. (very / too)
  2. It’s _______ hot in here. (enough / quite)
  3. He is _______ the best player on the team. (absolutely / nearly)
  4. I have _______ finished my homework. (almost / completely)
  5. They were _______ impressed by the performance. (hardly / deeply)

Exercise 5: Write Sentences

Use the given adverbs of degree to write sentences.

  1. Totally
  2. Hardly
  3. Rather
  4. Just
  5. Absolutely

Answers

Exercise 1

  1. She is very excited about the trip.
  2. The water is too cold to swim in.
  3. He isn’t tall enough to reach the shelf.
  4. They are quite busy at the moment.
  5. The movie was extremely interesting.

Exercise 2

  1. The test was very easy.
  2. She sings well enough to be a professional.
  3. He drives fast enough to win the race.
  4. The coffee is too hot to drink.
  5. They were so happy that they couldn’t stop smiling. (Sentence is correct.)

Exercise 3

  1. She is extremely intelligent.
  2. The room was quite clean.
  3. He speaks French very well.
  4. They are too busy today.
  5. The puzzle is fairly difficult.

Exercise 4

  1. She was too tired to continue.
  2. It’s quite hot in here.
  3. He is absolutely the best player on the team.
  4. I have almost finished my homework.
  5. They were deeply impressed by the performance.

Exercise 5

Your sentences may vary. Here are some examples:

  1. She was totally surprised by the party.
  2. He could hardly believe his eyes.
  3. It’s rather cold today, isn’t it?
  4. I’ve just finished my work.
  5. The view from the top was absolutely stunning.

Conclusion

Understanding and using adverbs of degree correctly is essential for expressing the intensity or extent of actions and qualities in English. By familiarising yourself with common adverbs of degree and practising their usage, you’ll enhance your communication skills significantly.

If you have any questions, thoughts, or would like to share your own sentences using adverbs of degree, please leave a comment below. Happy learning!

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