Adverbs of Degree - Explore Meaning, Definition, Usage and Examples (2024)

In the English language, adverbs are generally used to describe the verb, adjective or adverb in a sentence. Among the various types of adverbs, an adverb of degree helps the speakers express the intensity of something in a sentence. In this article, the meaning, definition and usage of adverbs of degree are discussed. Examples of how they are used and a list of adverbs are also given for your reference.

Table of Contents

  • What Is an Adverb of Degree?
    • Definition of an Adverb of Degree
  • Examples of Adverbs of Degree
    • List of Adverbs of Degree
  • Test Your Understanding of Adverbs of Degree
  • Frequently Asked Questions on Adverbs of Degree in English

What Is an Adverb of Degree?

An adverb of degree is employed in a sentence to depict the intensity or degree of an adjective, verb or another adverb. It usually answers the question ‘to what extent’. They are normally positioned before the word (an adjective in most cases) they are modifying.

Definition of an Adverb of Degree

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, adverbs of degree ”are used to show the intensity or degree of something. They can be used before adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs.” The term ‘degree’, according to the Oxford Dictionary, is defined as “the extent, measure or scope of an action, condition or relation.” Therefore, an adverb that can describe the extent, measure or scope of an action can be termed as an adverb of degree.

Examples of Adverbs of Degree

Given below are some examples for how adverbs of degree can be used in sentences.

  • Mikki is very tall.
  • The buttermilk we had was too cold.
  • It is extremely cold this time of the year.
  • Gowtham had almost completed his work.
  • The class is unusually quiet today.

List of Adverbs of Degree

Have a look at the following list of adverbs of degree that you can refer to.

Examples of Adverbs of Degree
TooVeryExtremely
HorriblyUnusuallyWonderfully
AlmostCompletelyDeeply
BarelyAbsolutelyFully
QuiteSomewhatFairly
HardlyTerriblyIncredibly
EnoughLargelyPretty
ReallyScarcelyInsanely
RemarkablyBadlyGreatly
HighlyMostLittle
LessMuchLeast
JustIntenselyPurely
StronglyThoroughlyUtterly

Test Your Understanding of Adverbs of Degree

Fill in the blanks by choosing the most appropriate adverb of degree from the list given below.

(strongly, very, too, incredibly, almost, pretty, largely, unusually, thoroughly, really)

1. I felt __________ lucky to have been able to make it to the Gokarna trek.

2. The doctor _________ recommended that we take two or three opinions before we made a decision.

3. I __________ understand your situation and would like to help.

4. The hall was __________ occupied by the friends of the bride and groom.

5. This task seems to be _______ difficult.

6. The event went on ________ well without much problems.

7. Do you know why this area is ______ crowded today?

8. It was ___________ sultry in Coimbatore last week.

9. You better eat soon; the food is _______ over.

10. He felt __________ bad for having shouted at you earlier.

Ready to check if you have answered it all right? Let us find out.

1. I felt incredibly lucky to have been able to make it to the Gokarna trek.

2. The doctor strongly recommended that we take two or three opinions before we made a decision.

3. I thoroughly understand your situation and would like to help.

4. The hall was largely occupied by friends of the bride and groom.

5. This task seems to be very difficult.

6. The event went on pretty well without much problems.

7. Do you know why this area is too crowded today?

8. It was unusually sultry in Coimbatore last week.

9. You better eat soon; the food is almost over.

10. He felt really bad for having shouted at you earlier.

Frequently Asked Questions on Adverbs of Degree in English

Q1

What is an adverb of degree?

An adverb of degree is employed in a sentence to depict the intensity or degree of an adjective, verb or another adverb. It usually answers the question ‘to what extent’.

Q2

Where can you place an adverb of degree in a sentence?

Adverbs of degree are normally positioned before the word (an adjective in most cases) they are modifying.

Q3

What is the definition of an adverb of degree?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, adverbs of degree ”are used to show the intensity or degree of something. They can be used before adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs.” The term ‘degree’, according to the Oxford Dictionary, is defined as “the extent, measure or scope of an action, condition or relation.” Therefore, an adverb that can describe the extent, measure or scope of an action can be termed as an adverb of degree.

Q4

Give some examples of adverbs of degree.

Really, too, very, strongly, highly, incredibly, quite, extremely, remarkably, almost, completely, fully, pretty, unusually, etc. are some examples of adverbs of degree.

Q5

How do we use an adverb of degree in a sentence?

Given below are some examples of how adverbs of degree can be used in sentences.

  • Mikki is very tall.
  • The buttermilk we had was too cold.
  • It is extremely cold this time of the year.
  • Gowtham had almost completed his work.
  • The class is unusually quiet today.

I am an expert in linguistics and language structure, with a deep understanding of English grammar and syntax. My expertise stems from both academic study and practical application in linguistic analysis. Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about adverbs of degree.

Adverbs of Degree: An Overview

Adverbs of degree play a crucial role in expressing the intensity or extent of an adjective, verb, or another adverb in a sentence. They answer the question 'to what extent' and are positioned before the word they modify, usually an adjective.

Definition: According to the Cambridge Dictionary, adverbs of degree "are used to show the intensity or degree of something. They can be used before adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs." The Oxford Dictionary defines 'degree' as "the extent, measure, or scope of an action, condition, or relation." Hence, an adverb of degree describes the extent, measure, or scope of an action.

Examples: Here are some examples demonstrating the use of adverbs of degree:

  1. Mikki is very tall.
  2. The buttermilk we had was too cold.
  3. It is extremely cold this time of the year.
  4. Gowtham had almost completed his work.
  5. The class is unusually quiet today.

List of Adverbs of Degree: A comprehensive list of adverbs of degree includes:

  • Too
  • Very
  • Extremely
  • Horribly
  • Unusually
  • Wonderfully
  • Almost
  • Completely
  • Deeply
  • Barely
  • Absolutely
  • Fully
  • Quite
  • Somewhat
  • Fairly
  • Hardly
  • Terribly
  • Incredibly
  • Enough
  • Largely
  • Pretty
  • Really
  • Scarcely
  • Insanely
  • Remarkably
  • Badly
  • Greatly
  • Highly
  • Most
  • Little
  • Less
  • Much
  • Least
  • Just
  • Intensely
  • Purely
  • Strongly
  • Thoroughly
  • Utterly

Test Your Understanding: The article provides a set of sentences for readers to fill in the blanks with appropriate adverbs of degree, such as 'strongly,' 'very,' 'too,' 'incredibly,' 'almost,' 'pretty,' 'largely,' 'unusually,' 'thoroughly,' and 'really.'

Frequently Asked Questions: The FAQs provide additional clarity on adverbs of degree, addressing questions like what they are, where they are placed in a sentence, their definition, examples, and how to use them.

Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions or if there's anything else you'd like to explore within the realm of linguistics and language structure.

Adverbs of Degree - Explore Meaning, Definition, Usage and Examples (2024)
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