Intensifiers

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Intensifiers are adverbs that make the meaning of the verb it is modifying stronger. Depending on the intensifier you use, it can change the strength of the action.[1]https://vocabularyhome.com/adjectives-adverbs/intersifiers-words-in-english/#more-524

intensifiers

Strongest Intensifiers

These intensifiers show the greatest strength of action.

Examples include:

  • Really – I am really tired.
  • Very – She is very good at math.
  • Extremely – It is extremely windy today.

Note: Very is the most common intensifier in the English language. It is so common that it is often overused. Consider using other more descriptive words.

Strong Intensifier

These intensifiers strengthen the action; however, to a lesser extent than the previous ones.

Examples include:

  • Quite – Be careful! The food is quite hot.
  • Rather – The homework is rather difficult.

Limited Intensifier

These adverbs are the least strong words in the list. They do add strength to the words they are describing, but only a little bit.

  • Somewhat – That exam was somewhat difficult.
  • Pretty – I am pretty sure you are wrong.
  • Fairly – I am fairly certain that the cinema opens at 10:00 AM.

Negatives

A common negative intensifier is “at all”.[2]https://completeenglishgrammar.com/using-intensifiers-very-at-all-really-so-etc/

You can use it in the following manner:

  • I don’t like vegetables at all.
  • They didn’t notice it at all.

Adverbs of Frequency

It is important to note that an intensifier and adverbs of frequency are not the same.

Adverbs of frequency give more precise information about the action being performed while intensifiers increased the intensity of the action being performed.

In addition, intensifiers are generally used in informal conversation. In more formal situations, using intensifiers can be seen as being overly flowery.

Other Examples

If you want to increase your vocabulary and sound more fluent, consider including these other examples of intensifiers instead of just “very”.

  • absolutely
  • amazingly
  • astoundingly
  • colossally
  • completely
  • dreadfully
  • especially
  • exceptionally
  • excessively
  • extraordinarily
  • extremely
  • fantastically
  • frightfully
  • fully
  • highly
  • incredibly
  • literally
  • mightily
  • moderately
  • outrageously
  • quite
  • radically
  • rather
  • really
  • remarkably
  • so
  • somewhat
  • strikingly
  • supremely
  • terribly
  • terrifically
  • too
  • totally
  • uncommonly
  • unusually
  • utterly

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