Fun Easy English - new american english grammar topic degree adverb.

Home - Grammar - Degree Adverb

Degree Adverb

Degree Adverb

In this lesson you will learn the definition of a degree adverb and study examples of degree adverbs.

Degree Adverb Definition

A degree adverb:
answers the question, How much?
increases or decreases the effect of a verb describes to what degree, level, or extent something is done
is also known as a quantity adverb
Like all adverbs, degree adverbs can refer to a verb, an adjective or another adverb
When they refer to an action they are usually placed before the verb expressing that action
She is almost done.
If they are meant to modify an adjective or another adverb they are placed before the adjective or the adverb they modify
They know each other very well.
I am quite sure he can manage on his own.
The adverb of degree enough means "to the necessary degree" and it is placed after adjectives and adverbs
Is your cocoa sweet enough?
You didn't try hard enough.
When enough is used with an adjective it can be followed by:
for somebody/something
The room is big enough for three people.
You are not qualified enough for this job.
to + infinitive
She is old enough to vote.
Sarah is crazy enough to do it.
When enough is placed before a noun it no longer functions as an adverb, but as a determiner meaning "as much as it is necessary"
We don’t have enough money to refurbish our home.
You have enough firewood.
The adverb of degree too means "more than is necessary or useful" and it is placed before adjectives and adverbs
You are too kind.
She ate too much cake.
When too is used with an adjective it be followed by:
for somebody/something
This car is too sporty for you.
The actress you recommended is too old for this role.
to + infinitive
You are too young to have a cell phone.
Their report was too long to be read at the meeting.
The adverb of degree very is placed before an adjective or an adverb to intensify the meaning
The documentary on global warming was very interesting.
Kids learn languages very easily.
Not very can be used to give a negative connotation to an adjective or an adverb
She was not very helpful.
They are not very happy.
James does not learn very quickly.
She did not do very well in her driving test.
Very versus Too
When we use very, we make a statement and simply state a fact
It is very good.
He speaks very quickly.
When we use too, we tend to make a subjective statement and imply there is a problem
They walk too quickly.
i.e. they are walking so fast that we can't keep up
It is too good to be true.
i.e. too good to be true; I don't believe it and I think there's a problem
Learn the adverb spelling rules

Degree Adverb Examples

I completely agree with you.
She is extremely busy.
She is almost done.
They know each other very well.
I am quite sure he can manage on his own.
Is your cocoa sweet enough?
You didn't try hard enough.
The room is big enough for three people.
You are not qualified enough for this job.
She is old enough to vote.
Sarah is crazy enough to do it.
You are too kind.
She ate too much cake.
This car is too sporty for you.
The actress you recommended is too old for this role.
You are too young to have a cell phone.
Their report was too long to be read at the meeting.
The documentary on global warming was very interesting.
Kids learn languages very easily.
She was not very helpful.
They are not very happy.
James does not learn very quickly.
It is very good.
He speaks very quickly.
They walk too quickly.
It is too good to be true.
She did not do very well in her driving test.
He is totally prepared for his job.
I am too tired to play baseball tonight.
He is totally exhausted from the trip.
Is there enough wine?
She can hardly sing.
The following words are degree adverbs
almost, completely, enough, entirely, extremely, hardly, just, little, much, nearly, partially, quite, rather, scarcely, too, totally, very

Grammar Tips

Can You Catch These Native Speaker Mistakes?
(Beginner - Listening)

An audio lesson to help with your understanding of common mistakes. The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed. Click here to visit the lesson page with the written script for this audio program.

Commonly Confused Words: Part One
(Beginner - Listening, reading)

A video lesson to help with your understanding of commonly confused words.
The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Click here to visit the lesson page.

Commonly Confused Words: Part One
(Beginner - Listening)

An audio lesson to help with your understanding of commonly confused words. The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed. Click here to visit the lesson page with the written script for this audio program.

Commonly Confused Words: Part Two
(Beginner - Listening, reading)

A video lesson to help with your understanding of commonly confused words.
The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Click here to visit the lesson page.

Commonly Confused Words: Part Two
(Beginner - Listening)

An audio lesson to help with your understanding of commonly confused words. The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed. Click here to visit the lesson page with the written script for this audio program.