By Steven Davies

Adverbs
Adverbs of
of
Degree
Degree
B2.3
B2.3
Unit 6
Unit 6
Pg
74
 Gradable and Non-Gradable Adjectives
Gradable and Non-Gradable Adjectives
Definitions
Definitions
1. Gradable adjectives a) Describe qualities which are either
1. Gradable adjectives a) Describe qualities which are either
extreme (e.g. ‘furious’, ‘starving’,
extreme (e.g. ‘furious’, ‘starving’,
‘terrified’) or absolute (e.g. ‘perfect’,
‘terrified’) or absolute (e.g. ‘perfect’,
‘free’, ‘alive’)
‘free’, ‘alive’)
2. Ungradable adjectives b) Describes qualities that we can
2. Ungradable adjectives b) Describes qualities that we can
measure or grade in some way. Things
measure or grade in some way. Things
can be ‘cold’, ‘wet’, or ‘disappointing’
can be ‘cold’, ‘wet’, or ‘disappointing’
to different degrees.
to different degrees.
Gradable adjectives Ungradable adjectives
Gradable/Ungradable
Gradable/Ungradable
Interesting
Adjectives
Adjectives
Cold

disappointed ancient
Funny disappointed ancient
Perilous hilarious clean
hilarious clean
Devastated fascinating dangerous
fascinating dangerous
Impressive freezing
freezing
Boiling incredible
incredible
Old hot
hot
Spotless
Gradable adjectives Ungradable adjectives
Gradable/Ungradable
Gradable/Ungradable
Interesting Fascinating
Adjectives
Adjectives
Cold Freezing
We can say that something is ‘very
Funny Hilarious We can say that something is ‘very
interesting’, but we can’t say that
interesting’, but we can’t say that
Dangerous Perilous something is ‘very fascinating’, as it is an
something is ‘very fascinating’, as it is an
extreme adjective.
Disappointed Devastated extreme adjective.
We can say that something is ‘very cold’,
Impressive Incredible We can say that something is ‘very cold’,
but we can’t say that something is ‘very
but we can’t say that something is ‘very
Hot Boiling freezing’, as it is an extreme adjective.
freezing’, as it is an extreme adjective.
Old Ancient We can say that something is ‘very funny’,
We can say that something is ‘very funny’,
but we can’t say that something is ‘very
Clean Spotless but we can’t say that something is ‘very
hilarious’, as it is an extreme adjective.
hilarious’, as it is an extreme adjective.
 Gradable
Gradableor
orUngradable
UngradableAdjective?
Adjective?
Telling
Tellingthe
thedifference
difference
• Ungradable adjectives sound wrong if they are used with adverbs of degree like ‘very’, ‘rather’,
• Ungradable adjectives sound wrong if they are used with adverbs of degree like ‘very’, ‘rather’,
‘fairly’, and ‘quite’.
‘fairly’, and ‘quite’.
The stunt at the end of the movie was fairly incredible.
The stunt at the end of the movie was fairly incredible.
The reason he gave for his behaviour was very unbelievable.
The reason he gave for his behaviour was very unbelievable.
The temperature in the winter is rather freezing.
The temperature in the winter is rather freezing.
• Also, ungradable adjectives sound illogical when used in comparative structures.
• Also, ungradable adjectives sound illogical when used in comparative structures.
Her performance was more perfect than her rival’s display.
Her performance was more perfect than her rival’s display.
This product is freer than that product.
This product is freer than that product.
 Adverbs
Adverbsof
ofDegree
Degree
Intensifiers
Intensifiers&
&Downtoners
Downtoners
• Some adverbs of degree are intensifiers. They make adjectives and other adverbs stronger.
• Some adverbs of degree are intensifiers. They make adjectives and other adverbs stronger.
The water is very cold.
The water is very cold.
The birds are so beautiful.
The birds are so beautiful.
• Other adverbs of degree are downtoners (also known as ‘qualifiers), which make adjectives
• Other adverbs of degree are downtoners (also known as ‘qualifiers), which make adjectives
and other adverbs weaker.
and other adverbs weaker.
The painting is fairly good.
The painting is fairly good.
The food was quite healthy.
The food was quite healthy.
 Adverbs
Adverbsof
ofDegree
Degree
Intensifiers
Intensifiers&
&Downtoners
Downtoners
1. That was an extremely satisfying meal. Downtoner/Intensifier
1. That was an extremely satisfying meal. Downtoner/Intensifier
2. The book was quite interesting. Downtoner/Intensifier
2. The book was quite interesting. Downtoner/Intensifier
3. The man we met seemed fairly angry. Downtoner/Intensifier
3. The man we met seemed fairly angry. Downtoner/Intensifier
4. The information is exceptionally important. Downtoner/Intensifier
4. The information is exceptionally important. Downtoner/Intensifier
5. The grass is somewhat wet. Downtoner/Intensifier
5. The grass is somewhat wet. Downtoner/Intensifier
6. The dogs haven’t eaten; they’re incredibly hungry. Downtoner/Intensifier
6. The dogs haven’t eaten; they’re incredibly hungry. Downtoner/Intensifier
7. She was a bit upset; but she’s better now. Downtoner/Intensifier
7. She was a bit upset; but she’s better now. Downtoner/Intensifier
8. We loved the movie. It was so good. Downtoner/Intensifier
8. We loved the movie. It was so good. Downtoner/Intensifier
 Adverbs
Adverbsof
ofDegree
Degree
Intensifiers
Intensifiers&
&Downtoners
Downtoners(answers)
(answers)
1. That was an extremely satisfying meal. Downtoner/Intensifier
1. That was an extremely satisfying meal. Downtoner/Intensifier
2. The book was quite interesting. Downtoner/Intensifier
2. The book was quite interesting. Downtoner/Intensifier
3. The man we met seemed fairly angry. Downtoner/Intensifier
3. The man we met seemed fairly angry. Downtoner/Intensifier
4. The information is exceptionally important. Downtoner/Intensifier
4. The information is exceptionally important. Downtoner/Intensifier
5. The grass is somewhat wet. Downtoner/Intensifier
5. The grass is somewhat wet. Downtoner/Intensifier
6. The dogs haven’t eaten; they’re incredibly hungry. Downtoner/Intensifier
6. The dogs haven’t eaten; they’re incredibly hungry. Downtoner/Intensifier
7. She was a bit upset; but she’s better now. Downtoner/Intensifier
7. She was a bit upset; but she’s better now. Downtoner/Intensifier
8. We loved the movie. It was so good. Downtoner/Intensifier
8. We loved the movie. It was so good. Downtoner/Intensifier
 Adverbs of Degree
Adverbs of Degree
Gradable
GradableAdjectives
Adjectives
Downtoners Intensifiers • I’m a bit tired. I think I’ll go to sleep.
• I’m a bit tired. I think I’ll go to sleep.
A bit Very
Sort of So • He walked fairly slowly.
• He walked fairly slowly.
A little Really
Fairly Extremely • They are extremely intelligent students.
Somewhat Incredibly • They are extremely intelligent students.
Quite Exceptionally • He worked very hard.
Moderately Terribly • He worked very hard.
Pretty Awfully
Rather • She studied exceptionally well.
• She studied exceptionally well.
• The movie was quite boring.
• The movie was quite boring.
• The election was fairly interesting.
• The election was fairly interesting.
Ungradable
UngradableAdjectives
Adjectives
General Rules
General Rules
• Ungradable adjectives consist of two
• Ungradable adjectives consist of two
types: extreme adjectives (e.g. ‘boiling’,
types: extreme adjectives (e.g. ‘boiling’,
‘hilarious’, ‘bizarre’) and absolute
‘hilarious’, ‘bizarre’) and absolute
adjectives (e.g. ‘acceptable’, ‘finished’,
adjectives (e.g. ‘acceptable’, ‘finished’,
ruined’)
ruined’)
• An extreme adjective represents one end
• An extreme adjective represents one end
of a scale (e.g. ‘boiling’ represents the
of a scale (e.g. ‘boiling’ represents the
extremity of ‘hot’).
extremity of ‘hot’).
• An absolute adjective represents
• An absolute adjective represents
something that either is or is not (e.g.
something that either is or is not (e.g.
something that is ‘infinite’ cannot be
something that is ‘infinite’ cannot be
otherwise. If it is qualified, it loses its
otherwise. If it is qualified, it loses its
essence.)
essence.)
 Adverbs
Adverbsof
ofDegree
Degree
Ungradable
UngradableAdjectives
Adjectives
1. This painting is fairly/absolutely perfect. It is the epitome of pre-Raphaelite beauty.
1. This painting is fairly/absolutely perfect. It is the epitome of pre-Raphaelite beauty.
2. What you wrote in the exam was completely/very brilliant. I could not have improved on
2. What you wrote in the exam was completely/very brilliant. I could not have improved on
it in any way.
it in any way.
3. His performance in the dance was a bit/totally outstanding and will be remembered for a
3. His performance in the dance was a bit/totally outstanding and will be remembered for a
long time to come.
long time to come.
4. What he achieved during the chess competition was once considered
4. What he achieved during the chess competition was once considered
moderately/virtually impossible.
moderately/virtually impossible.
5. That was an utterly/really magnificent display of theatre and deserving of any award.
5. That was an utterly/really magnificent display of theatre and deserving of any award.
 Adverbs
Adverbsof
ofDegree
Degree
Ungradable
UngradableAdjectives
Adjectives(answers)
(answers)
1. This painting is fairly/absolutely perfect. It is the epitome of pre-Raphaelite beauty.
1. This painting is fairly/absolutely perfect. It is the epitome of pre-Raphaelite beauty.
2. What you wrote in the exam was completely/very brilliant. I could not have improved on
2. What you wrote in the exam was completely/very brilliant. I could not have improved on
it in any way.
it in any way.
3. His performance in the dance was a bit/totally outstanding and will be remembered for a
3. His performance in the dance was a bit/totally outstanding and will be remembered for a
long time to come.
long time to come.
4. What he achieved during the chess competition was once considered
4. What he achieved during the chess competition was once considered
moderately/virtually impossible.
moderately/virtually impossible.
5. That was an utterly/really magnificent display of theatre and deserving of any award.
5. That was an utterly/really magnificent display of theatre and deserving of any award.
 Adverbs
Adverbsof
ofDegree
Degree
Ungradable Adjectives
Ungradable Adjectives
• Ungradable adjectives are used with • The music was absolutely incredible.
• Ungradable adjectives are used with • The music was absolutely incredible.
adverbs of degree that stress absoluteness.
adverbs of degree that stress absoluteness. • The boss was completely furious.
• The boss was completely furious.
• Absolutely, totally, completely, utterly,
• Absolutely, totally, completely, utterly, • You are completely wrong.
• You are completely wrong.
wholly, entirely are among the most
wholly, entirely are among the most
commonly used. • They behaved wholly inappropriately.
commonly used. • They behaved wholly inappropriately.
• Quite can also be used with ungradable • You are quite correct in what you say.
• Quite can also be used with ungradable • You are quite correct in what you say.
adjectives and adverbs and takes on the • They performed absolutely brilliantly.
adjectives and adverbs and takes on the • They performed absolutely brilliantly.
same meaning as those above.
same meaning as those above. • It ended utterly astonishingly.
• It ended utterly astonishingly.
 Adverbs
Adverbsof
ofDegree
Degree
Exercise
Exercise11
1. This is a(n) rather/extremely complicated dance routine. Only the very best dancers can perform it.
1. This is a(n) rather/extremely complicated dance routine. Only the very best dancers can perform it.
2. The Pink Eagles are fairly/incredibly famous, but there are still plenty of people who have not heard of them.
2. The Pink Eagles are fairly/incredibly famous, but there are still plenty of people who have not heard of them.
3. That building is absolutely/very ancient. It was built 4,000 years before Jesus Christ was born.
3. That building is absolutely/very ancient. It was built 4,000 years before Jesus Christ was born.
4. The restaurant that we ate at was pretty/utterly good, but I’m not sure if I’d give it a full recommendation.
4. The restaurant that we ate at was pretty/utterly good, but I’m not sure if I’d give it a full recommendation.
5. You are quite/rather correct in your assumption, Michael. I have no doubt that what you are saying will be proven
5. You are quite/rather correct in your assumption, Michael. I have no doubt that what you are saying will be proven
to be true.
to be true.
6. In England, the winters are totally/rather cold, but over in New York they tend to be even colder.
6. In England, the winters are totally/rather cold, but over in New York they tend to be even colder.
7. The highest level of that computer game is virtually/fairly impossible. I don’t how you are supposed to complete it.
7. The highest level of that computer game is virtually/fairly impossible. I don’t how you are supposed to complete it.
8. He feels quite/absolutely tired, but a cup of coffee should be enough to make him feel okay.
8. He feels quite/absolutely tired, but a cup of coffee should be enough to make him feel okay.
 Adverbs
AdverbsofofDegree
Degree
Exercise
Exercise11(answers)
(answers)
1. This is a(n) rather/extremely complicated dance routine. Only the very best dancers can perform it.
1. This is a(n) rather/extremely complicated dance routine. Only the very best dancers can perform it.
2. The Pink Eagles are fairly/incredibly famous, but there are still plenty of people who have not heard of them.
2. The Pink Eagles are fairly/incredibly famous, but there are still plenty of people who have not heard of them.
3. That building is absolutely/very ancient. It was built 4,000 years before Jesus Christ was born.
3. That building is absolutely/very ancient. It was built 4,000 years before Jesus Christ was born.
4. The restaurant that we ate at was pretty/utterly good, but I’m not sure if I’d give it a full recommendation.
4. The restaurant that we ate at was pretty/utterly good, but I’m not sure if I’d give it a full recommendation.
5. You are quite/rather correct in your assumption, Michael. I have no doubt that what you are saying will be proven
5. You are quite/rather correct in your assumption, Michael. I have no doubt that what you are saying will be proven
to be true.
to be true.
6. In England, the winters are totally/rather cold, but over in New York they tend to be even colder.
6. In England, the winters are totally/rather cold, but over in New York they tend to be even colder.
7. The highest level of that computer game is virtually/fairly impossible. I don’t how you are supposed to complete it.
7. The highest level of that computer game is virtually/fairly impossible. I don’t how you are supposed to complete it.
8. He feels quite/absolutely tired, but a cup of coffee should be enough to make him feel okay.
8. He feels quite/absolutely tired, but a cup of coffee should be enough to make him feel okay.
1. Martin has a moderate knowledge about art. (fairly)
1. Martin has a moderate knowledge about art. (fairly)
Martin is _______________________ about art.
Martin is _______________________ about art.
Adverbs
Adverbsof
ofDegree
Degree
2. Timothy is fair degree of creativity with computers. (quite)
2. Timothy is fair degree of creativity with computers. (quite)
Timothy _______________________ with computers.
Exercise
Exercise22
Timothy _______________________ with computers.
3. John is utterly wrong about the results (quite)
3. John is utterly wrong about the results (quite)
__________________ incorrect about the results.
__________________ incorrect about the results.
4. Jake’s intelligence is pretty high for an eight year old.
4. Jake’s intelligence is pretty high for an eight year old.
(rather)
(rather)
Jake ___________________ for an eight year old.
Jake ___________________ for an eight year old.
5. Our disappointment with the dinner was fairly high. (quite)
5. Our disappointment with the dinner was fairly high. (quite)
We ____________________ with the dinner.
We ____________________ with the dinner.
6. The imagination in the artwork was rather good. (fairly)
6. The imagination in the artwork was rather good. (fairly)
The artwork _______________________.
The artwork _______________________.
1. Martin has a moderate knowledge about art. (fairly)
1. Martin has a moderate knowledge about art. (fairly)
Martin is fairly knowledgeable about art.
Martin is fairly knowledgeable about art.
Adverbs
Adverbsof
ofDegree
Degree
2. Timothy is fair degree of creativity with computers. (quite)
2. Timothy is fair degree of creativity with computers. (quite) Exercise
Exercise22Answers
Answers
Timothy is quite creative with computers.
Timothy is quite creative with computers.
3. John is utterly wrong about the results (quite)
3. John is utterly wrong about the results (quite)
John is quite incorrect about the results.
John is quite incorrect about the results.
4. Jake’s intelligence is pretty high for an eight year old.
4. Jake’s intelligence is pretty high for an eight year old.
(rather)
(rather)
Jake is rather intelligent for an eight year old.
Jake is rather intelligent for an eight year old.
5. Our disappointment with the dinner was fairly high. (quite)
5. Our disappointment with the dinner was fairly high. (quite)
We were quite disappointed with the dinner.
We were quite disappointed with the dinner.
6. The imagination in the artwork was rather good. (fairly)
6. The imagination in the artwork was rather good. (fairly)
The artwork was fairly imaginative.
The artwork was fairly imaginative.