Intensifiers intensify!

Tuesday, May 12, 2015


When you’re speaking informally, telling a story, for example, using intensifiers in everyday speech gives force or emphasis to the details. An intensifier is a type of adverb that enhances adjectives and adverbs. In English, they come before the words they modify. Look at this example:

I’m sorry.
I’m “really” sorry.
I’m “very” sorry.
I’m “so” sorry.
I’m “quite” sorry.
I’m “extremely” sorry.
I’m “awfully” sorry.

OR

Jean dances well.
Jean dances “very” well.
Jean dances “extremely” well.
Jean dances “pretty” well.
Jean dances “so” well.
Jean dances “quite” well.
Jean dances “fairly” well.
Jean dances “rather” well.
Jean dances “awfully” well.
Jean’s dancing is “absolutely” amazing.
Jean’s dancing is “pretty” amazing.
Jean’s dancing is “so” amazing.

Common intensifiers in everyday speech include so, really, very, quite, extremely, absolutely, strongly, pretty, fairly, rather, a little, just, too, and more.

It's “quite” humid today.
Blair is “too” sarcastic.
Marco is “really” busy on Mondays.
Kathy is my “very” best friend.
Andrea is a “little” tired today.
Kurt “just” got a brand new car.
I know her “fairly” well.
It's “extremely” windy outside.
You're “absolutely” right!
The traffic is “rather” noisy.
I was a “little” nervous before my wedding.
That was a “pretty” tasty burger.


Pretty may seem like an unusual intensifier but it’s very common. Pretty means attractive but it’s also an informal adverb meaning “to a moderately high degree; fairly.”

It’s “pretty” good ice cream but I’ve tasted better.
Danny is “pretty” smart. I think he’ll do well at the university.
I’m “pretty” sure I’ll accept the job but I need to think about it over the weekend.

I hope this post was extremely helpful :)

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