Skip to main content
rulegym.
Sign in
Rules›Degree words: very, too, so, enough
A2

Degree words: very, too, so, enough

These words answer how much. Use very or really to make an adjective stronger and a bit to soften it; too for a problem and enough for the right amount; so with adjectives, such with noun phrases; quite and fairly to fine-tune.

  1. placing and choosing (very, really, a bit)

    When to use it
    very/really add clear strength: very cold, really busy
    a bit/slightly/quite tune intensity, not the adjective: a bit tired
    a bit softens mild negatives: a bit late, a bit small
    degree words show how strong the quality is: very good, slightly late

    Build an example

    Degree word
    Adjective
    Itisverycold

    It is very cold.

    The word very goes before the adjective and makes it stronger.

    Signal words
    veryreallyprettyfairlyratherquitea bitslightly
    Common mistake
    The movie was interesting very.The movie was very interesting.
    The degree word goes before the adjective, not after it.
    ✗ I can put very or quite anywhere in the sentence if the meaning is clear.
    ✓ Degree words have a fixed place with adjectives: before the adjective. English does not move them freely.