An adverb is a word, which describes or modifies an action. It tells us the extent or degree of an action. Today, we are going to explore adverbs of degree.
Lesson Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
- Define adverbs of degree.
- Identify and see the appropriate adverbs of degree in a given sentence.
Adverbs of Degree
Adverbs of degree tell us about the extent or intensity of an action. They are usually placed before a verb, adjective, or adverb, and they qualify and modify.
Examples:
- Too.
- So.
- Enough.
- Very.
How Adverbs of Degree Work
1. Enough
Enough is an adverb, which means to the necessary extent or degree.
Example:
- The soda is cold enough.
It can also be used in the negative, up to the necessary extent or degree.
Example: The soda is not cold enough.
2. Too or Very
Too, as an adverb has two meanings:
- It could mean also.
Example: Can I have a can of soda too?
- Too, as an adverb also means to an excessive extent or degree.
Example: The soda is too cold.
This means that the soda is cold to an excessive extent that I can’t drink it.
Very as an adverb also means to an excessive degree but doesn’t have a negative connotation as too.
Very simply expresses a fact. Too, suggest there is a problem.
Example: The soda is very cold.
This means that the soda is cold and it’s fine by me.
Let’s do a quick task together. Fill in the gaps with the correct adverbs of degree.
- The book is _________ long. It can’t enter the bag.
(a) very (b) much (c) nearly (d) too (e) none of the above.
- The cakes are __________ sweet. I love them.
(a) very (b) much (c) nearly (d) too (e) none of the above.
The answer to question 1 is too. The book is too long. It can’t enter the bag. Too, tells us the excessive length of the book, and it suggests a problem.
Question 2, the cakes are very sweet. I love them. Very, tells us the cake is excessively sweet but it doesn’t suggest a problem.
Lesson Recap
Remember, adverbs of degree tell us about the intensity of an action, an adjective, or another adverb.
Watch a full recap of this lesson in the video below.
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Eniola Makinde
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