In English grammar, intensifiers are simply words or phrases that are used to add emphasis or intensity to another word or expression. Intensifiers are typically used to make a word or phrase stronger, to convey emphasis, or to add force or feeling to a description. Intensifiers are principally applied to adjectives and adverbs, but can be added to some other parts of speech.
At B1 level grammar, that is to say early intermediate level, a knowledge of a broader range of intensifiers is required for language students.
Intensifiers can help to convey a range of emotions, such as surprise, excitement, enthusiasm or emphasis. Some common intensifiers in English include very, really, so, too, such and enough. Many other adverbs from the wider English vocabulary also perform well as intensifiers such as extremely, incredibly, absolutely, terrifically, and so on.
Examples of intensifiers
The following intensifiers are required at intermediate level:
- Very: She is very happy.
- Really: I am really tired.
- Quite: The film was quite interesting.
- So: I am so interested.
- Too: This food is too spicy for me.
- Such: He is such a good dog
- Enough: Thank you, I have had enough cake.
Additional advanced intensifiers:
- Extremely: It is extremely hot today.
- Absolutely: I am absolutely sure about it.
- Incredibly: She is incredibly talented.
- Terrifically: He is terrifically stupid.
- Completely: I am completely satisfied.
- Utterly: I am utterly worn out.
- Rather: They are rather late.
Of course, all the above intensifiers can also be used to augment a negative aspect:
- Very: She is not very happy.
- Really: I am not really tired.
- Too: This food is not too spicy for me.
- Such: He is not such a good dog
- Enough: I have not had enough cake.
Intensifiers should be used judiciously because overusing them can make speech or writing sound exaggerated. The choice of intensifier depends on the level of emphasis or intensity one wishes to convey in a particular context. Each intensifier has a subtle meaning of its own and words such as quite and extremely represent different degrees of intensity. Furthermore, in academic writing, words such as very and really as intensifiers are poor substitutes for a more suitable adjective:
- She is very happy vs She is ecstatic
- I am really tired vs I am exhausted
- I am so interested vs I am fascinated.
Intensifiers in different contexts
There are a variety of intensifiers suitable for differing contexts. The language may be formal or informal, and the choice of intensifier will affect the tone of the sentence. In addition to formality the level of emphasis and emotional tone are also to be considered.
For example, very and really convey high degrees of intensity, while the tone is informal, whereas extremely and incredibly convey a similar degree of intensity, but a greater quality of emotion. Particularly and especially convey a more formal tone than the aforementioned words.
An intensifier such as quite is used to communicate a lower level of intensity and emotion, and its synonym rather possesses a more academic tone. The choice of intensifier can influence the overall tone and impact of the message.
Adverbs of degree
Intensifiers are a type of adverb of degree. An adverb of degree is a word that modifies an adjective or another adverb to indicate the extent, intensity or degree of an action, often answering the questions “how much” or “to what extent”.
Adverbs are words that by nature modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs to provide additional information about how, when, where or to what degree an action or description takes place.
Other adverbs of degree include words such as moderately, slightly, somewhat and barely, but these are clearly not intensifiers as they express degree, that is an amount, but not a greater intensity of degree.
Intensifiers are typically adverbs, but occasionally other parts of speech, such as adjectives, can also be used as intensifiers, but that is irregular and outside the scope of this tutorial.
Introducing intensifiers into the process of English language learning
The reason these intensifiers are often introduced at early intermediate level, rather than learned at an earlier stage, is because they often involve a deeper understanding of the language and its nuances. Language learning is often structured in a way that gradually builds on previously acquired knowledge. However, it is often the case that by intermediate level, many of these intensifiers have already been encountered and internalised.
Intensifiers are usually introduced soon after learners have acquired a basic understanding of vocabulary and grammar. Students typically begin with foundational vocabulary and sentence structures before progressing to these more complex language elements.
Conclusion
While intensifiers are common in everyday language, they may not be as essential as foundational vocabulary and grammar, which is why learners first need to establish a solid foundation in the language before adding such nuances.
The pace at which language students acquire skills varies greatly with individual aptitude and exposure to the language. Some learners may encounter and understand intensifiers at an earlier stage than others. It is essential that the nuances of the meanings of individual intensifiers are understood, and that overuse of intensifiers is avoided because sentences loaded with intensifiers, in particular bland intensifiers such as very and really, can be less communicatively effective.
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