Adverbs of Degree

🎯 Lesson Goal

In this lesson, you will learn how to use adverbs of degree. These words answer the question:

💡 Question: How much? How strong? To what level?

Adverbs of degree help you make your English more precise. They show if something is a little strong, very strong, too strong, or not strong enough.

✅ Basic pattern: adverb of degree + adjective
Example: The movie was really good.

⚠️ Careful: Very means strong, but too usually means there is a problem.

❌ Common mistake: Do not say very enough.
Say good enough, old enough, or strong enough.

📊 Degree Scale

These words are not exactly the same. They show different levels of intensity.

a little

quite

very

really

extremely

too

💡 Important: Too does not only mean “very.” It usually means “more than is good, useful, wanted, or possible.”

📚 Quick Comparison

Word	Basic Meaning	Example
very	strong	This coffee is very hot.
too	more than is good / a problem	This coffee is too hot. I can’t drink it.
so	very strong, often emotional	That song is so beautiful.
really	very; true or sincere emphasis	I really liked the class.
quite	moderately / fairly, or very depending on context	The test was quite difficult.
enough	sufficient; the necessary amount	She is old enough to drive.

📘 Main Rules

Most adverbs of degree go before the adjective, adverb, or verb they modify. But enough is special.

Rule 1: Before adjectives

Use many adverbs of degree before adjectives.

✅ Correct: It is very expensive.

✅ Correct: She is really tired.

❌ Wrong: It is expensive very.

Rule 2: Before adverbs

They can also modify another adverb.

✅ Correct: He speaks very quickly.

✅ Correct: She sings really well.

❌ Wrong: He speaks quickly very.

Rule 3: Enough goes after adjectives

Enough usually goes after the adjective.

✅ Correct: This room is big enough.

✅ Correct: I’m not tall enough.

❌ Wrong: This room is enough big.

Rule 4: Too + adjective + to

Use this structure when something is impossible or difficult because of the degree.

✅ Correct: It’s too late to call.

✅ Correct: The box is too heavy to lift.

❌ Wrong: The box is very heavy to lift.

🧠 Very vs. Too

This is one of the most important differences.

Sentence	Meaning	Problem?
The soup is very hot.	The soup has a high temperature.	Maybe not.
The soup is too hot.	The soup is hotter than I want.	Yes. I can’t eat it now.
The music is very loud.	The volume is high.	Maybe not.
The music is too loud.	The volume is more than comfortable.	Yes. It bothers me.

✅ Memory trick: Too often means “very + problem.”

🌎 Spanish Connection

Spanish speakers often translate directly from muy, demasiado, tan, or suficiente. Sometimes this works, but sometimes the word order changes.

Spanish idea	Common mistake	Correct English
ES: muy caro	expensive very	very expensive
ES: demasiado caliente	very hot when there is a problem	too hot
ES: suficientemente grande	enough big	big enough
ES: tan cansado	very tired when expressing emotion	so tired

⚠️ Careful: Spanish demasiado often translates as too, not very, when it means “excessive” or “more than desirable.”

🧠 Extra Notes

1. Really can modify verbs

Some adverbs of degree can modify verbs directly. Really is very common this way.

✅ I really like this song.
✅ She really wants to improve her English.

2. Very usually does not modify verbs

Use really or very much, not just very, with many verbs.

❌ I very like coffee.
✅ I really like coffee.
✅ I like coffee very much.

3. Quite is flexible

In American English, quite often means “fairly” or “pretty.” It is usually less strong than very.

💡 American English: “The movie was quite good” usually means “The movie was pretty good / fairly good.”

4. So can sound emotional or conversational

So is very common in conversation. It often sounds more emotional than very.

Neutral	More emotional / conversational
I’m very tired.	I’m so tired.
That was very funny.	That was so funny.

⚠️ Register note: So is common and natural in conversation, but in formal writing, very, extremely, or a stronger adjective may be better.

🗣️ Speaking Practice

Answer these questions using at least one adverb of degree.

What food is too spicy for you?
What movie or show is really good?
What is something you are not old enough or not ready enough to do?
When was the last time you were so tired?
What is something in your city that is quite expensive?

💡 Challenge: Give a reason after each answer.
Example: “The metro is too crowded in the morning because everyone is going to work.”