subject + be/linking verb + very/really + adjectivePut very or really before the adjective. The degree word does not go after it.
Intensifiers and Downtoners
B1Use intensifiers and downtoners to show how strong or weak a quality is: very/really make it stronger; pretty/fairly/rather, a bit, and slightly make it softer or smaller.
What you'll learn
- Make adjectives and adverbs stronger with very and really.
- Soften descriptions with pretty, fairly, and rather.
- Read quite by context, not as one fixed strength.
- Show a small degree with a bit and slightly.
- Recognize common degree markers in a sentence.
Structure
subject + be/linking verb + pretty/fairly/rather + adjectiveThese words give a medium level. They are softer than very or really in many everyday contexts.
subject + be/linking verb + a bit/slightly + adjectiveUse these before the adjective to show a small degree. Do not stack both together.
Build a sentence
Subject
Adjective
The movieisreallygood
The movie is really good.
Really makes the opinion stronger.
When to use
Opinions
Use degree words to make your opinion stronger or softer: really good, fairly useful, a bit boring.
Small change
Use a bit or slightly for a limited change or problem: slightly late, a bit noisy, slightly warmer.
Balanced descriptions
Use pretty, fairly, or rather when something is noticeable but not extreme: fairly easy, rather busy, pretty nice.
Markers
veryreallyprettyfairlyratherquitea bitslightly
In contrast
vs so-such
Very/really/quite modify adjectives and adverbs directly. So and such are different patterns: so + adjective/adverb, such + noun phrase.
Common mistakes
Wrong
The hotel was comfortable very.
Correct
The hotel was very comfortable.
Put the degree word before the adjective, not after it.
Wrong
The tea is slightly a bit hot.
Correct
The tea is slightly hot.
Use one degree phrase here. Slightly and a bit do the same job in this sentence.
Wrong
The bag is heavy a bit.
Correct
The bag is a bit heavy.
A bit goes before the adjective it changes.
Wrong
The instructions were very clear, so I needed help all the way through.
Correct
The instructions were fairly clear, but I still needed help in a few places.
Choose a softer degree word when the meaning is moderate, not strong.
Common misconceptions
❝ Quite always means very. ❞
Quite does not have one fixed strength. In one sentence it can mean fairly; in another it can mean fully or completely.
❝ Two degree words make the sentence more natural. ❞
One well-chosen degree word is enough. Stacking them often sounds wrong or changes the meaning.
Skills in this rule (5)
MAKE_STRONGER_WITH_VERY_REALLYw5Make an adjective or adverb stronger with very or really
Use very or really before an adjective or adverb when you want to increase the degree. Put the degree word before the word it changes.
SOFTEN_WITH_PRETTY_FAIRLY_RATHERw4Soften a description with pretty, fairly, or rather
Use pretty, fairly, or rather before an adjective when something is at a medium level, not extreme. Choose them when you want a softer description than very or really.
USE_QUITE_BY_MEANINGw4Use quite with the meaning you want
Quite can mean fully with some words or moderately with others. Read the whole sentence and decide whether it means complete or only fairly strong.
SMALL_DEGREE_WITH_A_BIT_SLIGHTLYw5Show a small degree with a bit or slightly
Use a bit or slightly before an adjective or adverb when the change or quality is small. Slightly is common with measurable change; a bit is common in everyday speech.
PICK_DEGREE_MARKERSw3Recognize common degree markers
Words like very, really, quite, pretty, fairly, rather, a bit, and slightly show how strong or weak a quality is. Use them as clues when you read or choose a sentence.