What are Intensifying Adverbs?

• Intensifying adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

• They emphasize the degree, frequency, or manner of an action, quality, or another adverb.

• Intensifying adverbs are a great way to add emphasis and nuance to your writing and speech.

Common Intensifying Adverbs

There are many intensifying adverbs, but here are some of the most common ones:

• Degree: very, extremely, really, quite, fairly, rather, barely, hardly

• Frequency: always, constantly, continually, frequently, often, occasionally, rarely, seldom, never

• Manner: absolutely, completely, perfectly, utterly, beautifully, terribly, incredibly, surprisingly

• Probability: Highly unlikely, highly controversial, highly probable, and highly effective

• Strong negative emotions: Bitterly regret, disappointed, resent, and bitterly cold

• Intensifier expressing opinions: "Strongly believe, deny, strongly dislike,  and strongly support

• Something as extremely difficult to believe: Ridiculously easy, cheap, long," and small

Using Intensifying Adverbs Effectively

Here are some tips for using intensifying adverbs effectively:

• Choose the right adverb: Select an adverb that accurately reflects the degree, frequency, or manner you want to convey.

• Avoid overuse: Overusing intensifying adverbs can weaken your writing and make it sound repetitive. Use them strategically for maximum impact.

• Consider formality: Some adverbs are more formal than others. Choose adverbs that suit the tone and context of your writing or speech.

Examples of Intensifying Adverbs in Use

• "She always arrives early for meetings." (Frequency)

• "The view from the mountaintop was absolutely breathtaking." (Degree)

• "He spoke incredibly fast, making it difficult to understand him." (Manner)

• "The movie was rather disappointing." (Degree) - Notice how "rather" is a less strong intensifier compared to "very" or "extremely."