Wordopedia
Adverbs of degree modify adjectives, adverbs, or verbs to indicate the intensity or extent of an action or quality. They answer the question "How much?" or "To what extent?" Words like very, quite, extremely, rather, and too are adverbs of degree that you use every day, often without thinking about them. This guide will help you understand their nuances, learn correct usage, and avoid common mistakes.
Table of Contents
What Are Adverbs of Degree?
Adverbs of degree (also called intensifiers or degree modifiers) tell us about the intensity or degree of an action, adjective, or another adverb. They modify the meaning of the word they accompany by scaling it up or down.
The movie was very good. (modifying adjective "good")
She speaks quite fluently. (modifying adverb "fluently")
I almost forgot your birthday. (modifying verb "forgot")
The soup is too hot. (modifying adjective "hot")
Without adverbs of degree, we would lose the ability to express shades of meaning. There is a significant difference between "I'm tired," "I'm very tired," and "I'm extremely tired." Adverbs of degree provide this crucial gradation.
The Intensity Scale
Adverbs of degree can be arranged on a scale from weakest to strongest intensity:
| Level | Adverbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Very low | slightly, a bit, a little | I'm slightly tired. |
| Low | somewhat, fairly | It's fairly warm today. |
| Medium | quite, rather, pretty | The test was quite difficult. |
| High | very, really, truly | She is very talented. |
| Very high | extremely, incredibly, remarkably | The view is extremely beautiful. |
| Maximum | absolutely, completely, totally, utterly | I'm absolutely certain. |
Each Major Adverb of Degree Explained
Very
Very is the most common adverb of degree. It intensifies adjectives and adverbs to a high degree. It does not modify verbs directly.
✅ She is very happy. (modifying adjective)
✅ He runs very quickly. (modifying adverb)
❌ I very like chocolate. (cannot modify a verb directly)
✅ I like chocolate very much. (correct way to modify a verb)
Really
Really is similar to "very" but slightly more informal and versatile. It can modify adjectives, adverbs, and verbs.
That was really interesting.
She really enjoys painting.
He speaks really fast.
Extremely
Extremely is stronger than "very" and conveys a very high degree of intensity. It is used for emphasis in both formal and informal contexts.
The exam was extremely difficult.
We are extremely grateful for your help.
The weather has been extremely cold this winter.
Quite
Quite is a versatile but sometimes confusing adverb. Its meaning varies between British and American English (covered in detail below). Generally, it means "fairly" or "to a moderate degree."
The movie was quite good. (fairly good)
She is quite tall. (moderately tall)
Rather
Rather indicates a moderate to high degree, often with a slight sense of surprise or something unexpected. It is more common in British English.
The weather is rather cold for June.
She speaks rather well for a beginner.
The movie was rather disappointing.
Fairly
Fairly indicates a moderate degree, weaker than "quite" and "rather." It often suggests adequacy without enthusiasm.
The test was fairly easy.
He is a fairly good cook.
The restaurant is fairly popular.
Absolutely / Completely / Totally
These adverbs are used with extreme adjectives (ungradable adjectives) to indicate maximum intensity. They are not typically used with regular gradable adjectives.
✅ The food was absolutely delicious. (extreme adjective)
✅ I'm completely exhausted.
✅ The room was totally empty.
❌ The food was absolutely good. ("good" is gradable; use "very")
Too vs. Very: A Critical Distinction
Too and very are often confused, but they have different meanings. Very simply intensifies; too indicates excess—that something goes beyond what is acceptable, desired, or possible.
| Very (intensifier) | Too (excessive) |
|---|---|
| She is very tall. (neutral observation) | She is too tall for the ride. (exceeds the limit) |
| The coffee is very hot. (just describing) | The coffee is too hot to drink. (can't drink it) |
| He is very young. (describing age) | He is too young to vote. (below the requirement) |
Key Difference: "Very" amplifies a quality. "Too" implies a problem or negative consequence. "The test was very hard" (it was hard). "The test was too hard" (it was so hard I couldn't pass).
Using "Enough" as an Adverb of Degree
Enough means "to the necessary or desired degree." Unlike most adverbs of degree, it comes after the adjective or adverb it modifies.
She is old enough to drive. (NOT "enough old")
He didn't run fast enough to win.
Is the room warm enough?
The music isn't loud enough.
Enough is often used with the infinitive (to + verb) to explain the purpose or result:
She is smart enough to understand the problem.
He is rich enough to buy a new car.
British vs. American English: "Quite"
The word quite can cause confusion because it has different strengths in British and American English:
| British English | American English |
|---|---|
| "Quite good" = fairly good, moderately good | "Quite good" = very good, really good |
| Weaker intensity | Stronger intensity |
In both varieties, when quite is used with an extreme adjective, it means "absolutely" or "completely": "That's quite impossible" = "That's completely impossible." "She is quite brilliant" = "She is absolutely brilliant."
Placement Rules
Most adverbs of degree follow consistent placement patterns:
Before Adjectives
It is very cold. / She looks extremely tired. / The film was rather boring.
Before Other Adverbs
He speaks very quickly. / She sings incredibly well.
Before Verbs (select adverbs only)
I really enjoy music. / She completely forgot about the meeting.
"Enough" After Adjectives/Adverbs
Is it warm enough? / She runs fast enough.
Adverbs of Degree with Comparatives and Superlatives
Certain adverbs of degree are used to modify comparative and superlative adjectives:
This problem is much harder than the last one.
She is far more experienced than her colleague.
The second attempt was slightly better.
He is by far the best player on the team.
It's a lot more expensive than I expected.
Note: Do not use "very" with comparatives. Say "much better" or "far better," not "very better."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Using "Very" with Extreme Adjectives
❌ I'm very exhausted.
✅ I'm absolutely exhausted.
❌ The food is very delicious.
✅ The food is absolutely delicious.
Mistake 2: Using "Very" with Verbs
❌ I very like this song.
✅ I like this song very much.
✅ I really like this song.
Mistake 3: Confusing "Too" and "Very"
❌ Thank you too much! (implies excess/problem)
✅ Thank you very much!
Mistake 4: Wrong Position for "Enough"
❌ She is enough tall.
✅ She is tall enough.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct adverb of degree for each sentence.
1. The test was _______ (very / absolutely) difficult.
Answer: very (difficult is a gradable adjective)
2. She was _______ (very / absolutely) terrified.
Answer: absolutely (terrified is an extreme adjective)
3. The water is _______ (too / very) cold to swim in.
Answer: too (implies you can't swim)
4. Is the coffee hot _______ (enough / very)?
Answer: enough
5. This problem is _______ (much / very) harder than the last one.
Answer: much (used with comparatives)
6. I _______ (really / very) enjoyed the concert.
Answer: really (modifying a verb)
7. The weather was _______ (fairly / absolutely) pleasant.
Answer: fairly (pleasant is gradable)
8. He is _______ (quite / very) brilliant.
Answer: quite (with extreme adjective = absolutely)
Adverbs of degree give you the power to express exact shades of intensity and nuance in English. By understanding the intensity scale, mastering the too/very distinction, learning where to place "enough," and matching the right adverb with the right type of adjective, you will communicate with greater precision and sophistication.
Look Up Any Word Instantly on Wordopedia
Get definitions, pronunciation, etymology, synonyms & examples for 1,000,000+ words.
Search the Dictionary