Adverbs of Degree

Posted By Manjusha in English Grammar

Adverbs of Degree tell us about the degree or extent of an action, quality or manner.

Examples are: almost, little, enough, much, too, partly, fully, so, rather, quite, nearly, just, too, hardly, scarcely, very etc.

• She is very beautiful.
  
• I am extremely sorry.
  
• She is quite strong.
  
• They are fully prepared.
  

Position

Adverbs of degree normally come in mid position with the verb. They are placed after the auxiliary verbs and before other verbs. If there are two auxiliary verbs, the adverb comes after the first.

• He had hardly begun. (auxiliary verb + adverb + main verb)
• My work is almost finished. (is/am/are/was/were + adverb)
• I just asked. (adverb + main verb)
• She hardly realized what she was doing. (adverb + main verb)
• He is entirely right. (is/am/are/was/were + adverb)
• She was rather busy. (is/am/are/was/were + adverb)

An adverb of degree qualifying an adjective or another adverb normally goes before it.

• She is very beautiful.
  
• Those mangoes were very sweet.
  
• I am extremely sorry.
  

Enough is an exception to this rule. It is placed after the adjective or adverb it qualifies.

• You are not old enough to marry.
  
• This is good enough to be true.
  

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