intensifiers

Broader range of intensifiers: So, such, too, enough

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In English, you can use several words to intensify the meaning of a phrase. They are intensifiers. Some of the most common ones are so, such, too, and enough.[1]https://phoneenglish.es/blog/2017/08/grammar-so-such-too-enough/

So

A common intensifier in English you can use is “so”. It means “very”. It can go before an adjective or an adverb.

so + adjective

  • It is so cold today.
  • It is so cloudy today.
  • It is so hot.

so + adverb

  • I have so much work to do today.
  • You can run so quickly!
  • You eat so slowly!

Such

Similar to “so”, the word “such” also means very. It can go before an adjective or a noun.[2]https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/so-and-such.html

such + adjective

  • They are such a nice family.
  • She is such a beautiful child.
  • We had such a good time today at the park.

Such + noun

  • You are such a genius.
  • You are such a jock!
  • He is such a teacher.

Too

The word “too” means a lot of something. However, it is usually used in a negative manner. It can be used before an adjective or adverb.

too + adjective

  • Our next-door neighbors are too noisy!
  • My boss at work is too mean.
  • That test was too hard.

too + adverb

  • You walk too fast!
  • You are speaking too quickly! Please slow down.
  • You are talking too loudly. Lower your voice.

Enough

The word “enough” means having as much or as many as required. It can be used before a noun or after an adjective or verb.

enough + noun

  • We don’t have enough toilet paper.
  • They don’t have enough wood for the fire.
  • He doesn’t have enough wood to last winter.

adjective/verb + enough

  • Are you comfortable enough?
  • I am not sure if I have trained enough for the race.
  • Have you studied enough for the test?

Example Exercises

Choose between the intensifiers so, such, too, and enough.

 13%

Question 1 of 8

1. The exam was ______ difficult that the whole class failed.

Question 1 of 8

Question 2 of 8

2. Did you have ______ food for dinner?

Question 2 of 8

Question 3 of 8

3. The summer vacation was ______ fun that we didn’t want it to end.

Question 3 of 8

Question 4 of 8

4. The coffee was ______ hot to drink right away.

Question 4 of 8

Question 5 of 8

5. There is ______ much sugar in my drink.

Question 5 of 8

Question 6 of 8

6. It was ______ good weather that we all decided to go to the beach.

Question 6 of 8

Question 7 of 8

7. They are ______ a good couple.

Question 7 of 8

Question 8 of 8

8. You are ______ a joker!

Question 8 of 8


 

References[+]

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

References[+]