Adverbs of Degree (Intermediate Plus English Grammar)

Summary

In this grammar video, Hannah from Virtually Fluent introduces adverbs of degree, explaining their role in modifying adjectives, adverbs, and verbs. She distinguishes between two types: intensifiers, which increase the intensity of a description, and mitigators, which decrease it. Examples such as 'extremely upset' and 'fairly interested' are provided to clarify their use. Hannah also highlights the placement of these adverbs in sentences, noting flexibility with modal verbs and specific positioning with auxiliary verbs. The video concludes with practical advice and encourages viewers to engage with more content from the channel.

Takeaways

• 😀 Adverbs of degree modify adjectives, adverbs, or verbs to answer the question 'How much?' or 'To what extent?'
• 😀 There are two types of adverbs of degree: intensifiers and mitigators.
• 😀 Intensifiers increase the level of the word they modify, such as 'extremely', 'very', and 'really'.
• 😀 Mitigators reduce or soften the meaning of the word they modify, such as 'slightly', 'fairly', and 'somewhat'.
• 😀 Intensifiers are only used with gradable adjectives, which can be scaled, like 'cold' or 'big'.
• 😀 Non-gradable adjectives, such as 'freezing' or 'dead', cannot be modified by intensifiers.
• 😀 Mitigators, on the other hand, can be used to soften or reduce the meaning of adjectives and adverbs.
• 😀 Adverbs of degree are typically placed directly before the word they modify in a sentence.
• 😀 When using modal verbs, adverbs of degree can either go before the modal verb or between the modal verb and the infinitive verb.
• 😀 With auxiliary verbs, adverbs of degree are placed after the auxiliary verb and before the main verb.
• 😀 Some adverbs like 'enough' or 'a lot' are placed at the end of the sentence or immediately after the word they qualify.

Q & A

What are adverbs of degree and how are they used in English?

Adverbs of degree modify another adverb, adjective, or verb to indicate the extent or degree of an action or quality. They answer the question 'How much?' or 'To what extent?' and are used to show the intensity or extent of something.

What are the two types of adverbs of degree discussed in the video?

The two types of adverbs of degree are intensifiers and mitigators. Intensifiers increase the degree of the word they modify, while mitigators decrease the intensity or reduce the meaning.

What is an example of an intensifier and how does it function in a sentence?

An example of an intensifier is 'extremely,' as in the sentence 'She was extremely upset.' The word 'extremely' intensifies the adjective 'upset,' making the emotion stronger.

What is the difference between 'awfully' and 'terribly' as adverbs of degree?

'Awfully' and 'terribly' are often used as adverbs of degree in a positive sense, similar to 'very.' For example, 'She was terribly upset' and 'She was awfully upset' both convey a strong level of being upset, but with a slightly more positive connotation.

Can intensifiers be used with all adjectives?

No, intensifiers can only be used with gradable adjectives. These are adjectives that have a scale, such as 'cold' (which can range from slightly cold to very cold). Non-gradable adjectives, like 'freezing,' cannot be modified by intensifiers.

What are non-gradable adjectives, and why can’t intensifiers be used with them?

Non-gradable adjectives, such as 'freezing,' describe extreme conditions that do not have varying degrees. Since these adjectives represent an absolute state, intensifiers are not used with them as there is no scale to modify.

How do mitigators differ from intensifiers in terms of their effect on the meaning of a sentence?

Mitigators reduce or soften the meaning of the word they modify. For example, 'fairly interested' means less than 'extremely interested.' Mitigators make the feeling or action less intense compared to intensifiers, which make it stronger.

Where do adverbs of degree typically appear in a sentence?

Adverbs of degree generally appear immediately before the word they modify, whether it is an adjective, adverb, or verb. This rule applies to both intensifiers and mitigators.

What is the rule for positioning adverbs of degree with modal verbs?

Adverbs of degree can either be placed directly before a modal verb, such as 'I really should go to the cinema,' or between the modal verb and the main verb, as in 'I should really go to the cinema.' The position depends on what the speaker wants to emphasize.

Are there any exceptions to the placement rules for adverbs of degree?

Yes, there are exceptions. Words like 'enough' and 'a lot' are typically placed at the end of the sentence or immediately after the word they modify. This applies to other structures where 'a' or 'an' is followed by another word.