How do adverbs of degree (e.g., very, extremely) modify adjectives to indicate the intensity of a quality? By intensifying or diminishing the adjective, do these adverbs refine the description, making the sentence more precise and helping to convey clearer meaning to the reader?
Adverbs of degree, such as “very,” “extremely,” “quite,” and others, modify adjectives by indicating the intensity or degree of the quality described by the adjective. They enhance the meaning of the adjective by either intensifying it (making it stronger) or diminishing it (making it weaker).
When these adverbs are used to modify adjectives, they refine the description and provide a clearer idea of the degree to which the quality exists. For example, saying “very happy” intensifies the adjective “happy,” conveying a stronger level of happiness compared to just saying “happy.” On the other hand, saying “slightly tired” diminishes the adjective “tired,” indicating a lower level of tiredness.
Overall, adverbs of degree play a crucial role in adding nuance and precision to descriptions by modifying adjectives to convey a specific level of intensity or degree. They help in making the sentence more expressive and detailed, ultimately aiding in clearer communication of the intended meaning to the reader.