In the sentence “The white dog is extremely dirty,” the word “extremely” does more than just describe the dog—it tells us the intensity of the situation.
Adverbs of degree are essential modifiers that answer “how much?” or “to what extent?” They essentially act as a control for your language, allowing you to specify if a quality is subtle, moderate, or intense. Whether you are emphasizing a feeling or softening a critique, these adverbs provide the precision needed to make your meaning clear.
What are adverbs of degree?
An adverb of degree modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb to indicate intensity, quantity, or strength. Unlike adverbs of manner (which tell us how something is done), adverbs of degree focus strictly on the level or scale of the word they modify.
4 essential rules for using adverbs of degree
- Answering “to what extent”: They measure the level of a quality (e.g., “very” intensifies, while “barely” reduces).
- Word placement: Most of these adverbs appear directly before the word they modify (e.g., “She is quite talented”).
- The “enough” exception: The word “enough” typically follows the adjective or adverb it modifies (e.g., “He is tall enough“).
- Scaling effect: They can scale up (extremely), scale down (slightly), or set a definitive boundary (completely).
A list of common adverbs of degree by intensity
| Intensity level | Common adverbs of degree | Example sentence |
| High intensity | Absolutely, completely, extremely, totally, utterly | The cake was absolutely delicious. |
| Moderate intensity | Fairly, quite, rather, somewhat, pretty | The movie was quite long. |
| Low intensity | Barely, hardly, scarcely, slightly | I hardly know him. |
| Excess or sufficiency | Too, enough, excessively, sufficiently | The coffee is too hot to drink. |
| Approximation | Almost, nearly, practically, virtually | We are almost there. |
Pro-tip: Many learners confuse “quite” with “quiet.” While they sound similar, remember that “quite” is about degree (intensity), while “quiet” is about sound (volume). See our commonly confused words guide for futher learning.
How to use adverbs of degree in a sentence
1. Modifying adjectives
This is the most common use. The adverb provides more detail about a characteristic.
- Example: “The water is exceptionally cold.”
2. Modifying other adverbs
You can use an adverb of degree to sharpen the description of an action.
- Example: “She finished the race surprisingly quickly.”
3. Modifying verbs
Some adverbs of degree can change the strength of an action.
- Example: “I thoroughly enjoyed the performance.”
Frequently asked questions about adverbs of degree
Visual tools to help you learn
Video: How to use adverbs of degree (with examples and pronunciation)
This comprehensive video lesson explains how to use adverbs of degree to express intensity, covering essential placement rules for modifying adjectives, verbs, and other adverbs. Master the nuances between common modifiers like ‘very’ vs. ‘too’ and learn the unique post-modifier position of the word ‘enough’ through practical examples and pronunciation exercises.
Video: Adverbs of degree explained with visual examples
This interactive lesson uses a visual “intensity scale” to show how adverbs of degree modify adjectives to change the strength of a sentence. Perfect for students and beginners, the video demonstrates how to answer the question “how much?” using modifiers like “pretty,” “very,” and “extremely,” while also covering how to use these adverbs in negative sentences.
Practice quiz: Test your knowledge of adverbs of degree
See how well you understand the intensity of these modifiers by choosing the correct adverb for each sentence.
1. The tea was ________ hot to drink, so I had to wait ten minutes.
- a) Very
- b) Too
- c) Barely
2. I ________ recognized him because he had grown a thick beard.
- a) Highly
- b) Hardly
- c) Extremely
3. Is the oven hot ________ to bake the bread yet?
- a) Enough
- b) Quite
- c) Almost
4. She was ________ exhausted after running the marathon.
- a) Slightly
- b) Entirely
- c) Fairly
5. The project is ________ finished; we just need to sign the last page.
- a) Too
- b) Nearly
- c) Utterly
- b) Too (Indicates an excessive amount that prevents an action).
- b) Hardly (A low-intensity adverb meaning “almost not”).
- a) Enough (The only adverb of degree that typically follows the adjective).
- b) Entirely (High intensity, indicating a total state of exhaustion).
- b) Nearly (An approximation adverb indicating the task is almost complete).
Conclusion: Mastering the volume of your language
Adverbs of degree are far more than just “filler” words. They are the precision tools that allow you to communicate exactly how you feel, how a situation looks, or the limits of an action. By understanding the difference between a high-intensity modifier like “utterly” and a mitigator like “slightly,” you can transform flat writing into a vivid, accurate narrative.
Whether you are preparing for an English proficiency exam or simply want to sharpen your professional communication, paying attention to these small modifiers will make a significant impact on your clarity.
Join the conversation: What is your favorite modifier?
We want to hear from you! Is there an adverb of degree that you find yourself using all the time? Or perhaps there is one that always confuses you?
- Leave a comment below with your favorite example or ask a question if you’re stuck on a specific sentence.
- Share this guide with a friend or colleague who is working on their English grammar.
Continue learning about adverbs:
- Adverbs of frequency (How often)
- Adverbs of manner (How something happens)
- Adverbs of place (Where)
- Adverbs of time (When)
- Conjunctive adverbs (Connecting ideas)
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