December 25, 2020
Sakshyam Education
Adverbs of degree - English Grammar Lessons Guide
Adverbs of degree tell us about the intensity of something. Adverbs of degree are usually placed before the adjective, adverb, or verb they modify, although there are some exceptions. Examples of adverbs of degree are the words "too much", "quite", "very" and "extremely".
Adverbs of degree - English Grammar Lessons Guide
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Usage of "enough"
Enough can be used as both an adverb and as a determiner.
Enough as an adverb
Enough as an adverb meaning 'to the necessary degree' goes after the adjective or adverb that it is modifying, and not before it as other adverbs do. It can be used both in positive and negative sentences.
Examples
Is your coffee hot enough?
This box isn't big enough.
He didn't work hard enough.
I got here early enough.
Enough is often followed by "to" + the infinitive.
Examples
He didn't work hard enough to pass the exam.
Is your coffee hot enough to drink?
She's not old enough to get married.
I got here early enough to sign up.
Enough can also be followed by "for someone" or "for something".
Examples
The dress was big enough for me.
She's not experienced enough for this job.
Is the coffee hot enough for you?
He didn't work hard enough for a promotion.
Enough as a determiner
Enough as a determiner meaning 'as much/many as necessary' goes before the noun it modifies. It is used with countable nouns in the plural and with uncountable nouns.
Examples
We have enough bread.
You have enough children.
They don't have enough food.
I don't have enough apples.
Usage of "too"
"Too" is always an adverb, but it has two distinct meanings, each with its own usage patterns.
Too meaning "also"
Too as an adverb meaning "also" goes at the end of the phrase it modifies.
Examples
I would like to go swimming too, if you will let me come.
Can I go to the zoo too?
Is this gift for me too?
I'm not going to clean your room too!
Too meaning "excessively"
Too as an adverb meaning "excessively" goes before the adjective or adverb it modifies. It can be used in both affirmative and negative sentences.
Examples
This coffee is too hot.
He works too hard.
Isn't she too young?
I am not too short!
Too is often followed by "to" + the infinitive.
Examples
The coffee was too hot to drink.
You're too young to have grandchildren!
I am not too tired to go out tonight.
Don't you work too hard to have any free time?
Too can also be followed by "for someone" or "for something".
Examples
The coffee was too hot for me.
The dress was too small for her.
He's not too old for this job.
Sally's not too slow for our team.
Usage of "very"
Very goes before an adverb or adjective to make it stronger.
Examples
The girl was very beautiful.
The house is very expensive.
He worked very quickly.
She runs very fast.
Difference in meaning between "very" and "too"
There is a big difference in meaning between "too" and "very". "Very" expresses a fact while "too" suggests there is a problem.
Examples
He speaks very quickly.
He speaks too quickly for me to understand.
It is very hot outside.
It is too hot outside to go for a walk.
Adverbs of Degree List
This is an alphabetical list of common single-word degree adverbs.
Adverbs of degree can modify verbs, adjectives and other adverbs, and tell us the extent to which something happens.
almost
absolutely
awfully*
badly*
barely
completely
decidedly
deeply
enough
enormously
entirely
extremely
fairly
far
fully
greatly
hardly
highly
how
incredibly
indeed
intensely
just
least
less
little
lots
most
much
nearly
perfectly
positively
practically
pretty*
purely
quite
rather
really
scarcely
simply
so
somewhat
strongly
terribly*
thoroughly
too
totally
utterly
very
virtually
well
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