2.148 intensifying qualitative adjectives

You can use many submodifiers with qualitative adjectives in order to intensify their meaning.

• ...extremely high temperatures.
• Geoffrey was a deeply religious man.
• France is heavily dependent on foreign trade.

Here is a list of submodifiers used to intensify the meaning of adjectives:

• amazingly, awfully, bitterly, critically, dangerously, deeply, delightfully, disturbingly, dreadfully, eminently, especially, exceedingly, extraordinarily, extremely, fantastically, greatly, heavily, highly, hopelessly, horribly, hugely, impossibly, incredibly, infinitely, notably, particularly, radically, really, remarkably, seriously, strikingly, supremely, surprisingly, suspiciously, terribly, unbelievably, very, violently, vitally, wildly, wonderfully

Note that 'very' can be used to submodify superlative adjectives when you want to be very emphatic. This is explained in paragraphs 2.172 to 2.173.

Note also that adjectives with 'most' in front of them are not always superlatives. 'Most' is also used as a submodifier with the meaning 'very'.

• This book was most interesting.
• My grandfather was a most extraordinary man.

2.149

Many of these submodifiers not only intensify the meaning of the adjective but also allow you to express your opinion about what you are saying. For example, if you say that something is 'surprisingly large', you are expressing surprise at how large it is as well as intensifying the meaning of 'large'.

• He has amazingly long eyelashes.
• ...a delightfully refreshing taste.
• The cabin was extraordinarily quiet.
• ...a horribly uncomfortable chair.
• ...incredibly boring documents.

However, you use a few of them with no other purpose than to intensify the meaning of the adjective.

• They're awfully brave.
• The other girls were dreadfully dull companions.

Here is a list of submodifiers only used to intensify adjectives:

• awfully, dreadfully, especially, extremely, greatly, highly, horribly, really, terribly, very

Note that 'awfully', 'dreadfully', 'horribly', and 'terribly' are used in informal language and 'highly' is used in very formal language.