Intensifiers make an adjective stronger or weaker. English divides adjectives into gradable (good, cold, tired – can be more or less) and ungradable / extreme (amazing, freezing, exhausted – already at the limit). Each type takes different intensifiers.
Form
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| very / extremely / really + gradable adjective | very good, extremely tired |
| absolutely / totally / completely + ungradable adjective | absolutely amazing, totally exhausted |
| quite / rather / fairly + adjective (weaker) | quite good, fairly easy |
When to use it
- Gradable + very / really / extremely / so: very cold, really tired.
- Ungradable + absolutely / totally / completely / utterly: absolutely freezing, totally exhausted.
- Weaker: fairly, quite, rather, pretty: The test was fairly easy.
- “Really” and “pretty” go with both types in speech: really good, really amazing.
Examples
- The film was very good.
- The film was absolutely amazing.
- I'm extremely tired.
- She was completely exhausted.
- It was quite cold, but fairly sunny.
- The exam was really difficult.
Common mistakes
- “Very” with extreme adjectives: very exhausted, very amazing → absolutely exhausted / amazing.
- “Absolutely” with gradable: absolutely tired → very tired / completely exhausted.
- “Quite” has two meanings: quite good (fairly, UK) and quite right (completely).