We use words/phrases like “extremely”, “really”, “not very”, etc. to modify adjectives.

✅ “Incredibly” and “extremely” are intensifiers. This means that they make the words “cold” and “hot” stronger.

Examples:

- absolutely

- exceptionally

- terribly 

- amazingly

- incredibly 

- unbelievably

- awfully

- particularly  

- unusually   

- dreadfully 

- remarkably

✅ Phrases like “not very” or “a bit” have the opposite effect. They are mitigators. This means that they make words like “cold” and “hot” less strong.

Examples:

- a bit

- a little bit

- not very

- rather

- a little

- fairly

- pretty

- slightly

Some intensifiers are stronger than others, and some mitigators are weaker than others.

The following shows the most common modifiers, with the strongest at the top and the weakest at the bottom.

Let's practice!

Fill in the blanks so that the sentences are true for you.

Try to use: “extremely”, “really”, “very”, “quite”, “a bit”, and “not very”.

1) My best friend is _____________ tall.

2) I’m _____________ good at sports.

3) I’m _____________ happy when I have to wait in traffic.

4) It is _____________ cold in my hometown in the winter.

5) I am _____________ fond of* winter.

*I am fond of winter = I like winter

6) My parents’ English is _____________ good.

7) My hometown is _____________ crowded during the summer.

8) English is _____________ difficult for me.

9) It is _____________ easy to travel by bus in my hometown.

10) The last movie I saw was _____________ interesting.

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