Intensifiers
Learn English intensifiers such as too, enough, extremely, and quite, the adverbs of degree that show intensity in adjectives and adverbs, at B1 level.
Intensifiers (often called adverbs of degree) usually modify adjectives and adverbs to show intensity (e.g., very cold, too quickly). Some, like really, can also modify verbs (e.g., I really like it).
What Are Intensifiers?
Intensifiers give extra information about quantity, degree, or limitation.
They are used to:
- Show something is more than necessary (too)
- Show something is sufficient or adequate (enough)
- Emphasize a strong degree (very, extremely, so, really)
Examples
- The soup is too hot. → hotter than is comfortable
- She is tall enough to reach the shelf. → sufficient height
- He runs very fast. → strong degree
- I am so happy! → strong emotion
Using Too
Too shows that something is more than necessary, acceptable, or possible.
Form:
- too + adjective/adverb (often + to + verb)
- too + adjective/adverb + for + object (+ to + verb)
- Indicates a negative outcome or problem
Examples
- The bag is too heavy for me to carry.
- It’s too cold to swim.
- She speaks too quickly for beginners to understand.
- He arrived too late for the meeting.
- The music was too loud to sleep.
- This box is too big to fit in the car.
Too much and too many
Use too much + uncountable noun and too many + plural countable noun. Do not use too many with an uncountable noun (too many traffic) or too much with a plural countable noun (too much people).
- There is too much noise.
- There are too many people here.
- There is too much work for me to finish today.
- There are too many emails to answer.
Use too little + uncountable noun and too few + plural countable noun when the amount or number is less than needed:
- There is too little time to check every detail.
- We have too few chairs for all the guests.
Using Enough
Enough means as much or as many as is needed.
Form:
- Before a noun: enough + noun
- We have enough chairs for everyone.
- Do you have enough money to buy it?
- After an adjective or adverb: adjective/adverb + enough (+ for + object)
- She is tall enough to reach the shelf.
- He didn’t run fast enough to win the race.
- The water is warm enough for a swim.
Tip:
Enough can show positive or negative sufficiency:
- Positive: She is old enough to drive.
- Negative: He isn’t strong enough to lift the box.
Other Common Intensifiers
In addition to too and enough, other intensifiers show degree or emphasis:
Here is a general strength scale:
| Intensifier | Strength | Used with | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| slightly | weak | gradable adjectives | slightly cold |
| fairly | moderate | gradable adjectives | fairly easy |
| quite | variable | gradable adjectives | quite easy |
| very | strong | gradable adjectives and adverbs | very cold / very quickly |
| really | strong | gradable adjectives, adverbs, and some verbs | really good / really like it |
| so | strong, often emotional | gradable adjectives and adverbs | so happy / so quickly |
| extremely | very strong | gradable adjectives | extremely cold |
This scale is a guide, not an exact rule. Too and enough are not on it because they show a limit: more than acceptable or sufficient.
- Extremely → very strong, often formal
- She was extremely upset about the news.
- The weather is extremely cold today.
- Quite → its strength depends on the adjective, context, and variety of English.
- The test was quite easy. → fairly easy
- I’m quite tired, but I can continue.
- I’m quite sure. → completely sure in this context
In British English, quite often means fairly with adjectives that have degrees: “The film was quite good.” With adjectives such as sure and right, it can mean completely: “You’re quite right.”
In American English, quite more often has a stronger meaning similar to very. Context and intonation still matter, so listen to the whole sentence.
Use absolutely, completely, or totally with ungradable adjectives such as freezing and wrong: "It’s absolutely freezing." / "That’s completely wrong." We do not normally say very freezing.
Downtoners and comparatives
To make an adjective less strong, use a downtoner. A bit and a little are common and neutral: The soup is a bit salty. / I’m a little tired. Pretty is informal and often means quite: It’s pretty good. Rather often means fairly or more than expected: The bag is rather heavy.
With comparatives, use much, far, or a lot to show a bigger difference: This book is much better. / The train is far faster. / My new flat is a lot bigger. Use far too + adjective for an excessive degree: That phone is far too expensive.
Intensifiers and Result Structures
Too and enough often use an infinitive to show a practical result (too hot to eat, warm enough to swim). So can also show a result with so ... that (so difficult that ...).
Some intensifiers can introduce a result. Keep each pattern clear:
- The suitcase is too large to take on the plane.
- The path is wide enough for two bikes to pass.
- Our teacher spoke so clearly that everyone understood.
- There were so many delays that we missed the start.
- She had so much homework that she stayed up late.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong placement:
- Incorrect: She is enough tall. → Correct: She is tall enough.
- Different meanings:
- "The room isn’t too big" = it is not excessively big.
- "The room isn’t big enough" = it is smaller than we need.
- Do not use very before maximiser-like adverbs such as extremely, absolutely, or completely:
- Incorrect: He is very extremely happy. → Correct: He is extremely happy.
- A few established combinations have their own meaning: really very good and far too loud are both possible.
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Key Takeaways
- Intensifiers show degree, sufficiency, or excess.
- Too = more than necessary, often negative.
- Enough = sufficient amount, can be positive or negative.
- Very, so, really, extremely, quite = show strong or moderate emphasis.
- Pay attention to placement: before/after adjectives, before nouns, or with verbs.
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Intensifiers: Extremely, Rather, Fairly
23 wordsIntensifiers: Too, Enough, Quite
22 wordsLast updated October 14, 2026