Intensifiers

GRAMMAR

LEVEL
Intermediate
Preview and warm-up

■ An intensifier is used to emphasise words and phrases in a sentence. They

perform the same function as adverbs and adverbial phrases. If we want to add
emphasis to an adjective in a sentence an intensifier will allow us to do that.

I‘m really grateful for this opportunity to meet.

I‘m very interested in this role.

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Intensifiers: too

The intensifier too can be used to emphasise that there is a lot of something, often
in a negative context.
■ It is often placed in front of adjectives and adverbs.

■ We are getting too many

complaints about thisproduct.

■ I‘m feeling too sick to go to work.

■ That trip sounds tooexpensive.

■ It is too cold today.

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Answer the questions

Answer the questions below using too.

Did you sleep well last night? Why is your company

relocating?

How was work today? Did you have a good trip?

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Intensifiers: quite

The intensifier quite can be used in two separate ways.

■ The first is to emphasise something to a lesser degree. It adds a level of
emphasis similar to the words rather or fairly.
■ The second is to add total or complete emphasis, similar to the word
completely.

■ Our revenue at the moment is quite

good.

The revenue is good, but not amazing or

outstanding.

■ The shape of the island emerged on the

horizon quite clearly

In this example the island is completely

clear to the observer.

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Intensifiers: very

■ The intensifier very can be placed before adjectives and adverbs to add a
greater degree of emphasis. It is one of the most commonly used intensifiers
in English.
■ Read the examples below, particularly how they make the adjectives in the
sentence stronger.

■ This product is very successful.

■ Our customer is verycontent.

■ That is a very compelling

argument.

■ I‘m very pleased to see you.

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Intensifiers: pretty

The intensifier pretty can be used to add emphasis in a similar way to quite and
very.
■ This intensifier is used in a more informal context.
■ It adds emphasis to a similar degree as quite.
■ Used as a modifier, it means almost.

■ I got to work pretty early this

morning.

■ It was a pretty interesting report.

■ James is a pretty funny guy.

■ I‘m pretty sure we have met

before.

Remember to only use pretty in an

informal context.

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Intensifiers: so

The intensifier so modifies adjectives and adverbs to signify the extent of

something.
■ It is more casual than very.
■ It can often be used with that.
■ Like the intensifier too, so can be combined with much and many.

■ The food in the canteen is so good.

■ I am so impressed with your work!

■ I‘m so looking forward tostarting

my new job!

■ I have eaten so much food this

evening.

■ I have been through so many

applications and still haven‘tfound
the right one!

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Intensifiers: at all

■ At all is a common intensifier used in English.

■ It is used in negative sentences and expressions.

■ You didn‘t make any notes at all?

■ I am not at all interested in your

offer.

■ Don‘t we have any carrots left at

all?

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Negative sentences using at all

Respond to the questions in the negative using the intensifier

at all.

Do we have enough money for this

project?

Where have you been? We were waiting

for you!

Can you please accompany me on this

business trip?

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Writing about experiences

Write a paragraph
about an
experience you
café lunch a flight
have had basedon
each of the
pictures.

Use intensifiers
when writing about
each experience.

job interview a great weekend

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Complete the sentences

Complete the sentences below using intensifiers.

Use the best one for each sentence from what you have learned
during the lesson.

1. I have time on
2. It has been long.
my hands.

3. You have a 4. Yes sir, I am

professional approach. certain the report isaccurate.

5. There are no extra qualified 6. That man has

workers on shift . guitars.

7. I am tired of 8. I have a good

putting in these extrahours. chance of getting that job.

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Fill the gaps

Fill in theblanks with intensifiers.

too many really quite too pretty

I had an interview yesterday. We were supposed to

meet at Gloria’s café butit was busy so
we went to another café around the corner. I was
nervous beforehand but I think it went
well. My interviewer was
friendly so that made me feel more at
ease. Therefore, I was able to answer his questions
relatively confidently without blunders.

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 Talk using intensifiers

■ Each of the people below has a problem. Speak with each of

them using intensifiers.
■ Try to use the right context – remember to use intensifiers
appropriate for thelevel of formality.

Your boss is asking Your friend feels ill. Ask Your friend has had a
Your friend just got
about any problems you them about their bad day. Ask him what
fired. Ask why.
had on your lastproject. symptoms. is wrong.

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