Introduction
Adverbs are words that function as modifiers of other elements of a clause. They can provide a wide range of information.
Adverbs of degree or intensifiers provide information about the intensity of an action or adjective {see Adverbs of Degree [1] and Intensifiers and Mitigators [2], A2 level}.
Form
Intensifiers usually appear between:
- The auxiliary verbs to be or to have;
- The other verbs or the words they modify.
The most commonly used intensifiers are: completely, deeply, hardly, incredibly, scarcely, virtually…
{see Intensifiers and Mitigators [2], A2 level}.
Example
- I am completely satisfied with my salary.
- She hasn’t deeply forgiven him for getting her position in the company.
- We can hardly hear her offer.
- He felt incredibly lucky that he bought the computer with a big discount.
- Since she broke her foot, Kate scarcely walked with her flat shoes.
- I gave him the suit I bought him and he virtually just said a plain “thanks”.
Use
Intensifiers [2] modify adjectives and show the intensity of an action.
Summary
Adverbs of degree give information about the intensity of an action or adjective.
In addition to the intensifiers [2], there exists a number of other adverbs such as: completely, hardly, incredibly, scarcely, virtually, deeply…
They are placed either after the auxiliary verbs or before other verbs or words.
For example:
— “It is hardly my fault.” = Hardly is used after the auxiliary verb is.
— “I hardly ate anything.” = Hardly is positioned before the verb ate.
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.