Adverbs of Degree: Understanding How to Modify Adjectives and Verbs

What is the Adverb of Degree?

The words that answer questions like "How much?" or "To what extent?" are called adverbs. For example, in the sentence "She is extremely talented," the adverb "extremely" intensifies the adjective "talented," showing a high degree of talent. Similarly, in "He runs very quickly," the adverb "very" modifies another adverb, "quickly," to emphasize the speed of running. Adverbs of degree provide more detail and nuance, helping to convey precise meanings and feelings in both spoken and written language.

Definition to Adverb of Degree

An adverb of degree is a word that modifies an adjective or another adverb to indicate the intensity, extent, or level of the quality or action being described. It helps specify how much or to what degree something is true. For example, in the sentence "She sings very well," the adverb of degree "very" enhances the adverb "well," showing the extent of her singing ability.

Examples of Adverbs of Degree

Here are some examples of adverbs of degree, illustrating how they modify adjectives or other adverbs:

1. Very: She is very skilled at painting.

2. Quite: The test was quite challenging.

3. Extremely: He was extremely happy with the results.

4. Too: The weather is too hot for a walk.

5. So: The movie was so interesting that I couldn’t stop watching it.

6. Barely: She barely passed the exam.

7. Almost: They are almost finished with the project.

8. Fairly: The book was fairly engaging.

9. Really: She did really well in the competition.

10. Slightly: He was slightly annoyed by the comment.

List of Adverbs of Degree

Here is the adverbs of degree chart in tabular form with examples:

Review Your Understanding of Adverbs of Degree

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with appropriate adverbs of degree from the list provided.

1. The weather was __________ hot for a picnic.

2. She speaks English __________ well.

3. The movie was __________ interesting that we stayed until the end.

4. The test was __________ difficult for me.

5. The cake tastes __________ sweet.

List of Adverbs: very, too, so, quite, really

Exercise 2: Identify the Adverb of Degree

Read each sentence and identify the adverb of degree. Then, state what adjective or adverb it is modifying.

1. He was extremely happy with the results.

2. The room is barely large enough for a bed.

3. She sings very beautifully.

4. The project is almost finished.

5. The instructions were quite clear.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite each sentence using a different adverb of degree to change the intensity of the description.

1. She was very excited about the trip. (Use "slightly")

2. The movie was so entertaining. (Use "fairly")

3. The book is extremely interesting. (Use "somewhat")

4. He was too tired to continue. (Use "a bit")

5. The meal was quite delicious. (Use "incredibly")

Exercise 4: Match the Sentence

Match each sentence with the correct adverb of degree from the options given.

Sentences:

1. She is __________ skilled at playing the piano.

2. The test was __________ challenging for the students.

3. The concert was __________ fantastic.

4. His explanation was __________ clear.

5. The dog is __________ friendly.

Options: totally, extremely, very, quite, incredibly

Exercise 5: Adverb of Degree in Context

Write a sentence for each adverb of degree provided. Use the adverb to modify an adjective or another adverb.

1. Slightly

2. Remarkably

3. Somewhat

4. Too

5. Fairly

Check for the answers below:

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. The weather was too hot for a picnic.

2. She speaks English really well.

3. The movie was so interesting that we stayed until the end.

4. The test was quite difficult for me.

5. The cake tastes very sweet.

Exercise 2: Identify the Adverb of Degree

1. He was extremely happy with the results.

• Adverb of Degree: extremely

• Modifies: happy

2. The room is barely large enough for a bed.

• Adverb of Degree: barely

• Modifies: large

3. She sings very beautifully.

• Adverb of Degree: very

• Modifies: beautifully

4. The project is almost finished.

• Adverb of Degree: almost

• Modifies: finished

5. The instructions were quite clear.

• Adverb of Degree: quite

• Modifies: clear

Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentences

1. She was slightly excited about the trip.

2. The movie was fairly entertaining.

3. The book is somewhat interesting.

4. He was a bit tired to continue.

5. The meal was incredibly delicious.

Exercise 4: Match the Sentence

1. She is very skilled at playing the piano.

2. The test was extremely challenging for the students.

3. The concert was incredibly fantastic.

4. His explanation was quite clear.

5. The dog is totally friendly.

Exercise 5: Adverb of Degree in Context

1. Slightly: She was slightly annoyed by the noise.

2. Remarkably: The athlete performed remarkably well in the competition.

3. Somewhat: The answer was somewhat correct, but not entirely.

4. Too: The movie was too long to watch in one sitting.

5. Fairly: The restaurant was fairly busy for a Tuesday night.

Takeaways on This Page:

Adverbs of degree are crucial for expressing the intensity or extent of qualities or actions in both writing and speech. They enhance clarity by specifying how much or to what degree something is true. By using adverbs such as "very," "extremely," or "barely," one can modify adjectives or other adverbs to provide a more nuanced description. Understanding and correctly applying these adverbs helps in creating more precise and vivid language, making communication more effective and engaging.