Intensifiers are adverbs or phrases that strengthen the meaning of other expressions and show emphasis. Some common intensifiers are very, really, and extremely. Intensifiers are used with adjectives to make them stronger, such as saying something is "very interesting" rather than just "interesting". Certain adjectives like enormous or brilliant are not normally used with intensifiers like "very" since they already express a strong meaning. The document provides examples of intensifiers used with adjectives and groups adjectives into those that are commonly used with intensifiers and those that are not.

1. INTENSIFIERS
C O R R A L E S P E R A LTA J A C K E LY N

2. WHAT ARE THEY?
• Intensifiers are adverbs or adverbial phrases that
strengthen the meaning of other expressions and
show emphasis.
• We use words like very, really and extremely to make
adjectives stronger.
Intensifier + Adjective

3. EXAMPLES
• Paola was so upset.
• Christopher felt extremely happy
yesterday.
• The story was very interesting.
• You are an unusually beautiful person.
• I highly recommend the bakery we used
for Marco's birthday cake.

4. INTENSIFIERS WITH STRONG
ADJECTIVES
Normal Strong
very big enormous,
huge
very small minute
very clever brilliant
very bad awful, terrible,
disgusting,
dreadful
very sure certain
very good excellent,
perfect, ideal,
wonderful,
splendid
very tasty delicious
Be careful
We do not normally use
very with these
adjectives. We do not
say something is very
enormous or someone is
very brilliant.

5. Put the adjectives into the correct groups.

6. 1. David ran very fast.
2. It’s extremely hot in Africa.
3. These students are rather noisy.
4. The movie was absolutely amazing.
5. Javier is a little angry.
6. She is pretty intelligent.
7. Hannia draws very well.
8. It’s quite calm here.
9. Karen writes poems too
often.
10. The test was incredibly easy.
11. The students are studying
fairly hard.
12. I love you so much.

7. 1. David ran very fast.
2. It’s extremely hot in Africa.
3. These students are rather noisy.
4. The movie was absolutely amazing.
5. Javier is a little angry.
6. She is pretty intelligent.
7. Hannia draws very well.
8. It’s quite calm here.
9. Karen writes poems too
often.
10. The test was incredibly easy.
11. The students are studying
fairly hard.
12. I love you so much.

8. REFERENCES
British Council. (n.d.). Intensifiers. [online] Retrieved from:
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/english-grammar/intensifiers
Cambridge Dictionary. (2019). Intensifiers. [online] Retrieved from:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/es/gramatica/gramatica-britanica/adverbs-of-
degree/intensifiers-very-at-all

9. Timetoast:
https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/210836
8
Emaze:
https://www.emaze.com/@AOZRICLLF/what-
are-feelings