Strengthening adjectives in English. Amplifiers in English: what is it and when to use it? Strengthening the comparative degree of adjectives and adverbs in English

Adjective [ˈadʒɪktɪv] or adjective in English language– this is a part of speech that denotes a sign of an object/person/phenomenon. Perhaps, after the verb and noun, it is the most used of all tenses. According to their meaning, adjectives are divided into relative and qualitative. The latter differ in that they can vary in degree of comparison. Degrees of comparison of adjectives in English are formed according to certain rules, which will be discussed today.

There are three degrees of comparison of adjectives in English. All of them are similar to Russian degrees, and therefore this topic should not be taken seriously. Let's look at each degree separately, examining its features, education and methods of use.

Positive degree [ˈpɒzɪtɪv dɪˈɡriː] or positive degree is the easiest. The English language has simplified your task, and therefore there is no need to obtain this degree. You just need to take an English adjective in its simple dictionary form and use the word in a sentence. Since when we use an adjective in this form we are not comparing it with anything, the positive degree is often considered separately, outside the topic of comparison. In any case, you need to know about it. Examples of positive degrees:

But for comparison, comparative and superlative degrees are used. There are more nuances in these degrees that need to be examined in more detail.

Comparative degree of adjectives in English

Comparative degree or comparative degree is used to compare the characteristics / attributes of two or more objects and persons. Perhaps such an explanation did not clarify anything for you, but this topic is characteristic of both the English language and the Russian language, so if you compare this form with the Russian comparative degree everything will become much clearer:

We are sure that you no longer have any questions regarding what a comparative degree is. But how do you create this degree in English? For this, two comparative forms are used:

1. If a word consists of one or two syllables, comparative degree it has the ending –er:

However, when adding –er, you need to take into account certain nuances:

• If the adjective ends in –e, this letter is omitted:

• But the ending –y changes to –i:

Exceptions are words that have a vowel before –y:

1. If the adjective has three or more syllables, the degree is formed by adding the words more (more) and less (less):

Degrees of comparison of adjectives in English - superlative adjectives

Superlative degree or superlative form in English is used to show that some object or person, in comparison with others, is “the very best,” that is, superior to all others. The superlative form is also compared with Russian adjectives in the same degree. Eg:

There are also two options for forming this form of the adjective. Each of them is preceded by a definite, since superlative adjectives imply a specific, special object or person:

1. The ending –est is added to an adjective with one or two syllables:

Positive degree	Superlative
large (large)	the largest (largest)
great (great)	the greatest (greatest)
pretty (handsome)	the prettiest (the most beautiful)
dear (dear)	the dearest (the most expensive)
funny	the funniest (the funniest)
short	the shortest (the shortest)
long	the longest (longest)

Please note that the rules for appending endings also apply to this form.

1. If an adjective has 3 or more syllables, then the words (the) most (most) and (the) least (least) are added to it:

Despite the rules, some two-syllable adjectives in comparative and superlative forms, however, can be formed with both –er / –est and more – less / most – least. For example, these include words such as:

Adjective	comparative		Superlative
	-er	more/less	-est	most/least
clever	cleverer	more (less) clever	cleverest	the most (least) clever
simple (simple)	simpler	more (less) simple	simplest	the most (least) simple
stupid	stupider	more (less) stupid	stupidest	the most (least) stupid
quiet	quieter	more (less) quiet	quietest	the most (least) quiet
common	commoner	more (less) common	commonest	the most (least) common
polite (polite)	politer	more (less) polite	politest	the most (least) polite
narrow	narrower	more (less) narrow	narrowest	the most (least) narrow
angry (angry)	angrier	more (less) angry	angry	the most (least) angry
cruel (cruel)	crueler	more (less) cruel	cruelest	the most (least) cruel
sour	sourer	more (less) sour	sourest	the most (least) sour
gentle	gentler	more (less) gentle	gentlest	the most (least) gentle
friendly (friendly)	friendlier	more (less) friendly	friendliest	the most (least) friendly
pleasant (nice)	pleasanter	more (less) pleasant	pleasantest	the most (least) pleasant
able (capable)	abler	more (less) able	ablest	the most (least) able

Preference is now increasingly given to the forms more / less and most / least.

There are also three-syllable exception adjectives that form degrees with –er and –est. These include words that, with the help of prefixes, change the original meaning of a short adjective to the opposite. For example, adjectives: happy (happy) - unhappy (unhappy), tidy (tidy) - untidy (untidy), kind (kind) - unkind (unkind), lucky (lucky) - unlucky (unsuccessful), safe (reliable) - unsafe (unreliable):

Positive degree	comparative	Superlative
unhappy	unhappier	unhappiest
untidy	untidier	untidyest
unkind	unkinder	unkindest
unlucky	unluckier	unluckiest
unsafe	unsafe	unsafe

In addition, there are exception words, all 3 forms of which are significantly different from each other and are not subject to standard education, just like English Irregular Verbs. These words of the English language just need to be remembered. Study them in the table:

Positive degree	comparative	Superlative
good (good)	better	the best
bad	worse	the worst
little (small)	less	the least (least)
many/much	more	the most (largest)
far (distant about the place)	farther (further)	the farthest (the farthest)
far (distant about place or time)	further (further)	the furthest (the farthest)
old (old about people and things)	older	the oldest (the oldest)
old (eldest in the family)	elder	the eldest (oldest)
late (late about time)	later (later)	the latest (latest)
late (last in order)	the latter (second of two)	the last (last)
near (close in distance)	nearer (closer)	the nearest (nearest)
near (close in order or time)	nearer (closer)	the next (next)

Compound adjectives in English that contain the above exceptions can be constructed in both ways:

The first option, however, is more preferable.

In other cases, compound adjectives use the second method of forming the comparative and superlative degrees:

Using the degree of comparison of adjectives in English

We talked about the rules for forming degrees, all that remains is to understand how to use these adjectives in sentences.

• When using English comparative adjectives The sentence uses the conjunction than to introduce a comparison. Examples:

Animals are more honest than humans; you can always understand their intentions.	Animals more honest people. You can always understand their intentions.
Cars are faster than bicycles.	Cars are faster than bicycles.
Nothing can be worse than betrayal.	Nothing could be worse than betrayal.
It's better to try and fail than to fail to try.	It's better to try and fail than not to try at all.
There is no other name than yours in my head.	There are no other names in my head except yours.
Elizabeth made it a thousand times better than John but I decided not to hurt him and said nothing.	Elizabeth did it a thousand times better than John, but I decided not to upset him and didn’t tell him anything.
The black costume suits you better than the blue one.	A black suit suits you better than a blue one.
George won the fight because he was more prepared than his rival.	George won the fight because he was more prepared than his opponent.

You can add the adverb rather to the sentence, or rather to the word more. Rather more is usually used for comparison in the sense of “better... rather than...” or “better... than...”:

Sometimes the subject being compared may be omitted if the context implies it, or if the speaker knows that the interlocutor will understand it. Example sentences:

If you want to emphasize that the first person/object is much (much) better, more beautiful, etc., the sentence should contain the word much, which is placed before the degree:

Study the following table with examples:

The comparative degree is also used in three constructions:

1. The comparative degree, the comparative degree. In simple terms, this construction is similar to the sentences “than..., so...”. Table with examples for clarity:

The more, the better.	The bigger, the better.
The less you know, the better you sleep.	The less you know the better you sleep.
The older you become, the more responsibilities you should take.	The older you get, the more responsibilities you need to take on.
The faster you run, the harder it is to catch.	The faster you run, the harder it is to catch you.
The more you procrastinate, the less time you have.	The more you procrastinate, the less time you have left.
The more dialects you know, the better you can communicate with people.	The more dialects you know, the better you can communicate with people.
The more you work, the more you get, remember this.	Remember, the more you work, the more you get.
The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.	The more I know, the more I realize that I know nothing.

1. More positive degree than positive degree. An analogue is the phrase “rather than... than.” This design is possible when we compare the characteristics of the same object/person.

1. You can also use “more than” in a row without adding words between them. This construction means “more than.” These two words can be followed by an adjective and/or a noun, both of which are acceptable:

• For superlatives, no additional conjunctions are needed. Such adjectives are used in a sentence as a standard instead of the positive degree:

As in the Russian language, in such sentences the option is not “most”, but “one of the most”:

Two degrees of comparison can fit in one sentence:

Today we looked at the features of degrees of comparison of adjectives in English. Once you remember the rules for their formation, you will be able to use these degrees in speech without any difficulty. In order to consolidate the material, return to the article, review the tables with examples and make up your own sentences. And most importantly, have fun studying English, because if you are interested in the process, English grammar will be much faster and easier for you.

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Intensifiers– special words with which you can enhance the meaning of any degree of an adjective or adverb in English. If necessary, repeat the basic ones, and let's proceed to this lesson.

Strengthening the positive degree of adjectives and adverbs in English.

Let's start with words that can be used to enhance the positive (original) form. Let's look at the table in which I tried to show the most common ways to enhance the meaning of adjectives and adverbs that are used in modern English grammar. In the first column there is an intensity scale, in the second there are the intensifying words themselves, which are arranged from right to left from the most formal to the least.

I was totally outraged. – I was completely furious.

It had grown completely dark and I decided not to go anywhere. – It became completely dark, and I decided not to go anywhere.

Boyd was just so bloody good playing this role. “Boyd was damn good in that role.”

This operation is a tad complex. - This operation is relatively complex.

When using intensifier words, you need to be careful, since not every quality adjective can be combined with a similar word. There is a whole group called Absolute Adjectives, which includes adjectives that should not be used with intensifiers:

Absolute, principal, impossible, dead. inevitable, adequate, main, entire, unique, sufficient, complete, unanimous, unavoidable, minor, fatal, final, universal, ideal, whole, preferable, etc.

This group of words should not raise many questions, since using amplifiers with them simply defies logic. You hardly want to say

• absolutely absolute - absolutely absolute,
• very main - very important,
• a tad dead – relatively dead, etc.

Strengthening the comparative degree of adjectives and adverbs in English.

You can use the following intensifiers before comparative adjectives or adverbs:

• a bit
• a little,
• a lot
• far a lot
• still

Molly works a bi t harder in class than her friends. Molly works a little harder in class than her friends.

Greg's illness is far more serious than he thought. Greg’s illness is much more serious than he thought.

Ask Jim to speak a little more slowly. – Ask Jim to speak a little slower.

Strengthening the superlative degree of comparison of adjectives and adverbs in English.

Superlatives can be strengthened with by far(much, significantly, much) :

Sudan was by far the worst-affected country in that region. — Sudan suffered the most in that region.

Helen was by far the most demanding of my disciples. — Helen is much more demanding than my other students.

There is another way to enhance the meaning of the superlative degree - using the article a instead of the. This method is more common in oral speech. The article will be translated as extremely, extraordinarily.

“Yes,” he said eagerly, “yes, it”s a most interesting case. “Yes, yes,” he said briskly, “this is an unusually interesting matter.”

Adjectives are divided into two groups: qualitative adjectives (gradable words) and relative adjectives (non-gradable words). Qualitative adjectives vary according to degrees of comparison: positive degree, which is the basic form of the adjective; comparative (Comparative Degree) and excellent (Superlative Degree).

The positive and comparative degrees of adjectives can be enhanced by adverbs of measure and degree.

Adverbs of measure and degree such as SO, VERY, TOO, FAIRLY, QUITE, RATHER, PRETTY, ENOUGH, ESPECIALLY, etc. strengthen the positive degree of adjectives.

The comparative degree of adjectives is enhanced by adverbs:

A BIT = a little, just a little;

A LITTLE = a little;

MUCH = much, significantly, much;

A LOT = LOTS = much, significantly, much;

RATHER = quite, quite, perhaps;

FAR = much, much, much;

A GREAT DEAL = much, significantly, much;

I will write several sentences that include a comparative construction with the conjunction “than”.

1. She is OLDER than her sister. = She is older than her sister.

She is MUCH OLDER than her sister. = She is SIGNIFICANTLY (MUCH) older than her sister.

2. You are MORE tolerant than I. = You are more tolerant than I am.

You are FAR MORE tolerant than I. = You are MUCH more tolerant than me.

3. This way is LONGER than that one. = This road is longer than that one.

This way is A BIT LONGER than that one. = This road is a LITTLE MUCH longer than that one.

4. His illness was MORE serious than we at first thought. = His illness turned out to be more serious than we initially thought.

His illness was A GREAT DEAL MORE serious than we at first thought. = His illness turned out to be MUCH more serious than we initially thought.

5. The examination was MORE difficult than we expected. = The exam was more difficult than we expected.

The examination was A LITTLE MORE difficult than we expected. = The exam was a LITTLE harder than we expected.

6. Let's go by car. It's CHEAPER.= Let's go by car. It's cheaper.

Let's go by car. It's FAR CHEAPER.= Let's go by car. It's MUCH cheaper.

5. The book is MORE interesting than the film. = The book is more interesting than the film.

The book MUCH MORE interesting than the film. = The book is MUCH more interesting than the movie.

7. His health is WORSE than I thought. = His health is worse than I expected.

His health is STILL WORSE than I thought. = His health is EVEN worse than I expected.

8. My flat is MORE comfortable than his. = My apartment is more comfortable than his apartment.

My flat is RATHER MORE comfortable than his. = My apartment is PROBABLY more comfortable than his.

9. Her garden is MORE beautiful than her neighbor’s.= Her garden is more beautiful than her neighbor’s.

Her garden is A LOT MORE beautiful than her neighbor's. = Her garden is MUCH nicer than her neighbor's.

10. Their family is LARGER than ours. = Their family is bigger than ours.

Their family FAR LARGER than ours. = Their family is MUCH larger than ours.

I'll write a few sentences with adverbs.

1. It doesn't work HARDER than most of his friends. He works harder than most of his friends.

He works A LOT HARDER than most of his friends. = He works MUCH harder than most of his friends.

2. She walked MORE slowly than yesterday. She walked slower than yesterday.

She walked A LITTLE MORE slowly than yesterday. = She walked a LITTLE slower than yesterday.

3. He speaks English BETTER than his brother. = He speaks English better than his brother.

He speaks English A GREAT DEAL BETTER than his brother. = He speaks English MUCH better than his brother.

I'll write an important note.

I will write examples of strengthening the comparative degree when we're talking about about quantity.

1. He has MORE books than you have. = He has more books than you.

He has MANY MORE books than you have. = He has MUCH more books than you.

2. He has MORE money than you have. = He has more money than you.

He has MUCH MORE money than you have. = He has MUCH more money than you.

3. He has LESS time than usual. = He has less time than usual.

He has MUCH LESS time than usual. = He has MUCH less time than usual.

4. He has FEWER mistakes than usual. = He has fewer errors than usual.

He has FAR FEWER mistakes than usual. = He has MUCH fewer errors than usual.

It's no secret that our speech is varied, and we rarely limit ourselves to one word when describing an object or phenomenon. Very often we clarify something with the help of additional words. A few lessons ago we talked about words that help emphasize the meaning of a particular word. Today we will learn to use words such as very, really, bit, much and others.

Rules for using adverbs very, really, bit, much, etc.

The same adjective can sound differently if different qualifying words are placed next to it. For example:

Ann is very(very) tired. — Ann is quite(quite) tired. — Ann is a bit(a little) tired.

As you can see, the degree of Anna’s fatigue is determined not by the word “tired” (the meaning of this word does not change), but by adverbs very, quite And a bit.

To enhance the meaning of an adjective, you can use words like very with very absolutely, extremely, really, totally, completely, strongly, highly, awfully:

You're absolutely right. - You're absolutely right.

I’m really busy at the moment, sorry. - I'm really busy right now, sorry.

The meaning of “quite” can be expressed in words fairly, rather, pretty, and will help weaken the value a little or slightly, For example:

The book was rather boring. — The book was quite boring.

Sorry, I'm a little late. - Sorry, I'm a little late.

Remember, intensifier words can be used with both adjectives and adverbs:

It's a very beautiful picture. - This is a very beautiful picture. (very + adjective)

She speaks rather slowly. — She speaks quite slowly. (rather + adverb)

Deeply is more common in written rather than spoken language, and is combined with adjectives denoting feelings or emotions: I'm deeply touched. - I'm deeply touched.

Some words can also be used with verbs:

I really like these shoes! — I really like these shoes! (really + verb)

I deeply sympathize you. - I really sympathize. (deep + verb)

Moreover, some amplifiers, such as a little, a lot, (very) much, is placed at the end of the sentence:

She eats a lot. - She eats a lot.

I like this song very much. — I love this song very much.

Important! A bsolutely, totally And completely can appear either in the middle or at the end of a sentence. Compare:

I totally agree with you. - I agree with you totally.

Lesson assignments

Task 1. Complete very, quite, a bit.

1. Lucy has been working all day, now she is… tired.
2. This new restaurant is OK. The food is... good.
3. I didn't have time for breakfast. So, I'm... hungry.
4. Tom has spent all his money on this car. It was...expensive.
5. I’m at work but not feeling very well. I'm...sick.
6. There is a small stain on your right boot. It's...dirty.
7. Sue answered all the questions correctly but she spent almost an hour. The test was…difficult.
8. Megan has won a sport competition. Her parents are…proud of her.

Task 2. Select the one you need.

1. He doesn't have friends. He is (slightly/absolutely/a little) alone.
2. You should take a coat. It’s (rather/deeply/a lot) cold outside.
3. Are you sure? I doubt that information (quite, very, a little) much.
4. It was (quite/a lot/slightly) easy to find your house with the map.
5. Sam (fairly/deeply/totally) regrets about what he has said.
6. The new show is (pretty/completely/rather) astonishing! I love everything about it!
7. This apartment has all we need. It’s (a little/much/pretty) good.
8. My arm is (a bit/really/deeply) hurting. I can't sleep well.

Answer 1.

1. quite
2. a bit
3. a bit
4. quite

Answer 2.

1. absolutely
2. rather
3. quite
4. deeply
5. completely
6. pretty
7. really

Everyone who studies English, sooner or later faces a problem: how else to say“very” or “very much”? Usually this adverb is used to enhance the quality of adjectives, which are called weak(big, good, bad, funny, tired). For example, It's very interesting book. I was very tired.

But in English there are alsostrong adjectives (extreme or strong adjectives), which have a bright stylistic coloring and are more expressive analogues of weak adjectives. For example,big – huge, good – excellent, bad – terrible . But even such adjectives can be made even brighter and given a certain emotional connotation.

An alternative to “very” in this case are the following:amplifiers adverbs (intensifying adverbs) : highly, extremely, absolutely, deeply, bitterly, strongly, ridiculously . These are not all adverbs of this kind, there are many others, but we will stop and look at these, since there are strictly defined rules for combining each of them with certain adjectives and verbs, which together form stable phrases. And since the goal of any person learning English is not just to speak English, but to speak like a native speaker, the following rules are required to memorize and apply in practice.

Highly (very, excessively)extremely (extremely, immensely). Are used with words , expressing the possibility, probability((un)likely, unusual, probable, effective, successful, competitive, controversial, recommended). Except highly controversial usually combined with adjectives that have a positive meaning ( effective, successful). For example: Seven habits of highly effective people. — The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

Absolutely (completely, completely)utterly (extremely). Both of these adverbs are combined with adjectives that initially mean “very” (ridiculous, stupid, impossible, wrong, alone, appalled, convinced, devastated, miserable, exhausted, hilarious). So we sayabsolutely exhausted - completely exhausted,utterly hilarious - extremely funny.

Deeply (deeply, strongly, very). As a rule, it is combined with words expressing feelings and emotions, thus emphasizing their strength or depth (religious, unhappy, ashamed, concerned, shocked, committed, moved, affected, hurt ( of feelings), regret, care). More often used in writing than in speech. For example:I deeply regret having said that to you. “I deeply regret what I said to you.”

Bitterly (bitter, strong, painful). Used with words expressing negative emotions: disappointing, disappointed, resent, criticize, regret, complain, cry, weep. Just like and deeply is used more often in writing than in speech. For example:I was bitterly disappointed with my exam result. – I was very upset with my exam results.

Strongly (strongly, strictly, categorically). Used with verbs expressing a certain opinion or attitude towards something:oppose, influence, believe, deny, recommend, support, condemned, suggest, feel, argue, object. For example: We strongly recommend that you think your decision over. – We strongly recommend that you reconsider your decision.

Ridiculously (ridiculous, absurd, outrageous) is used when we want to emphasize the extreme, excessive or minimal nature of something that we find difficult to believe. Used with words : cheap, expensive, easy, low, high, long, short, small, large, early . For example :The restaurant was ridiculously expensive. I don't think we'll go there again.– This restaurant has absurdly high prices (the restaurant is absurdly expensive). I don't think we will come there again.