Very, absolutely, deeply
Intensifiers are not interchangeable. Gradable adjectives (cold, tired, happy) take adverbs such as very or extremely; strong adjectives (freezing, exhausted, essential) take absolutely or utterly. Many adverbs also have one or two favourite adjectives.
with strong adjectives
- absolutely essential
- completely different
- utterly ridiculous
- totally exhausted
- perfectly clear
with gradable adjectives
- bitterly cold
- deeply grateful
- highly unlikely
- fully aware
- seriously injured
- extremely tired
Now try it
8 gap-fill questions on this set.