Adverb of Degree: Definition, Examples & Rules | English Grammar

Last Updated: 01 Jul, 2025

Welcome! In this lesson, you'll learn all about Adverbs of Degree in English grammar. We'll cover what they are, how to use them, and why they're important. You'll find real-life examples, a quick quiz, and pro tips to help you master this essential grammar topic.

What is an Adverb of Degree?

Adverb of Degree Definition: An adverb of degree tells us the intensity or extent of an action, adjective, or another adverb. These adverbs answer questions like how much?, to what extent?, and how far?

Why are Adverbs of Degree Important? They help us express the intensity, quantity, or extent of actions and qualities in our sentences.

Function in Grammar

Adverbs of degree modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to show intensity or extent. For example:

  • She is very happy. (how much?)
  • He runs extremely fast. (to what extent?)
  • The movie was quite interesting. (how much?)

Adverb of Degree vs Adverb of Manner

Adverb of DegreeAdverb of Manner
veryquickly
extremelyslowly
quitecarefully
almostloudly

An adverb of degree tells us how much, while an adverb of manner tells us how.

💡 Tip: Adverbs of degree usually come before the word they modify (adjective or adverb)!

📌 Adverb of Degree Challenge!

Can you spot the adverbs of degree in these sentences?

  1. She is very happy with her new job.
  2. The food was quite delicious.
  3. He almost missed the bus.
Show Answers
  • very
  • quite
  • almost

Quick Quiz: Spot the Adverb of Degree!

Which words are adverbs of degree in these sentences?

  • She is very happy with her new job.
  • The food was quite delicious.
  • He almost missed the bus.
  • The movie was extremely boring.
  • I am too tired to go out.

Answers: very, quite, almost, extremely, too

Examples of Adverbs of Degree in Sentences

  • She is very happy with her new job.
  • The food was quite delicious.
  • He almost missed the bus.
  • The movie was extremely boring.
  • I am too tired to go out.
  • The weather is rather cold today.
  • She speaks fairly well.
  • He is completely wrong.
  • The book is absolutely amazing.
  • They are partially correct.

Notice how each adverb of degree tells us the intensity or extent of the action or quality.

List of Common Adverbs of Degree

  • very
  • extremely
  • quite
  • almost
  • too
  • rather
  • fairly
  • completely
  • absolutely
  • partially
  • entirely
  • totally
  • wholly
  • thoroughly
  • barely
  • hardly
  • scarcely
  • nearly
  • approximately
  • roughly
  • about
  • somewhat
  • slightly
  • moderately

Adverb of Degree Usage

AdverbQuestion AnsweredExample
veryHow much?She is very happy.
extremelyTo what extent?He runs extremely fast.
almostHow much?He almost missed the bus.
tooHow much?I am too tired to go out.

Adverbs of degree answer questions about intensity, quantity, or extent.

Special Rules and Notes

  • Placement: Adverbs of degree usually come before the word they modify (adjective or adverb).
  • Intensifiers: Words like very, extremely, absolutely are called intensifiers.
  • Diminishers: Words like slightly, somewhat, fairly reduce the intensity.
  • Approximators: Words like almost, nearly, about show approximation.
  • Completors: Words like completely, totally, entirely show completeness.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Double Intensifiers: Avoid using two intensifiers together (e.g., "very extremely" is incorrect).
  • Incorrect Placement: Don't place adverbs of degree after the word they modify.
  • Overuse: Don't use too many intensifiers as it can make writing sound exaggerated.
  • Confusing with Adverbs of Manner: Don't confuse adverbs of degree (how much?) with adverbs of manner (how?).

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete these sentences with appropriate adverbs of degree:

  1. She is _____ happy with her new job.
  2. The food was _____ delicious.
  3. He _____ missed the bus.
  4. The movie was _____ boring.
  5. I am _____ tired to go out.
Show Answers
  1. very
  2. quite
  3. almost
  4. extremely
  5. too

Exercise 2: Identify the Adverb of Degree

Find the adverb of degree in each sentence:

  1. She is very happy with her new job.
  2. The food was quite delicious.
  3. He almost missed the bus.
  4. The weather is rather cold today.
  5. She speaks fairly well.
Show Answers
  1. very
  2. quite
  3. almost
  4. rather
  5. fairly

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an adverb of degree?

An adverb of degree tells us the intensity or extent of an action, adjective, or another adverb. Examples include very, extremely, quite, almost, too, rather, fairly, completely, and totally.

How do you use adverbs of degree in a sentence?

Adverbs of degree usually come before the adjective or adverb they modify. For example: She is very tall. He runs quite quickly.

What types of adverbs of degree are there?

There are intensifiers (very, extremely), mitigators (quite, rather), and completers (completely, totally).

Can you give examples of adverbs of degree?

Yes! Examples include: very, extremely, quite, rather, too, so, fairly, completely, totally, almost, nearly, hardly, barely, scarcely, absolutely, entirely.

Where do adverbs of degree usually appear in a sentence?

They usually appear directly before the adjective, adverb, or verb they modify.

Conclusion

Adverbs of degree help us express the intensity, quantity, or extent of actions and qualities in our sentences. Practice using them to add precision and clarity to your writing!