English — Adverbs of degree

Adverbs of degree such as very, really, quite, rather, fairly, pretty, too, enough and absolutely say how strong a quality is. Most go before the adjective (very big), but enough comes after it (warm enough).

How it works

✓ Rule

A degree adverb sits right before the word it modifies: it's very big, she's really tired, that's too expensive. Use very/really/absolutely to strengthen, and quite/rather/fairly/pretty for a middle degree, as in it's quite cold and the film was pretty good.

Examples

Degree modifiers and their strength
Modifier + example	Strength / use
very big	Strong; neutral intensifier with gradable adjectives.
really good	Strong and informal; common in speech.
quite tall	Medium degree; a bit less than very.
rather cold	Medium degree, often with a negative or surprising tone.
fairly easy	Moderate; weaker than quite or very.
pretty tired	Informal; roughly equal to quite/fairly.
too hot / warm enough	too = more than wanted (before adjective); enough = sufficient (after adjective).
absolutely huge	Used with non-gradable/extreme adjectives, not with very (not very huge).

Good to know

⚠ Note

Match the modifier to the adjective type. Gradable adjectives (big, cold, good) take very/quite: very big. Non-gradable/extreme adjectives (huge, freezing, perfect) take absolutely/really, not very — say absolutely huge, not very huge.