Some adjectives and adverbs refer to qualities which are gradable. We use some words and expressions to add the idea of degree to gradable adjectives and adverbs. Common examples of these words are: too, as, so, enough, very, rather, quite, pretty, how, a little, a bit.
Fill in the blanks with an appropriate degree modifier.
1It was ............... experience.
Wrong!
Use "a rather unpleasant" before a singular countable noun phrase.
2She looked ............... unhappy.
Select 3 answers.
Wrong!
"A bit", "a little", and "rather" can all modify the adjective "unhappy" here.
3You are not ............... to be a soldier.
Wrong!
Use "tall enough" because "enough" comes after the adjective it modifies.
4I can’t tell you ............... pleased I am about the result.
Wrong!
Use "how" before an adjective to emphasize degree.
5I thought the house was ............... small.
Wrong!
Use "a little" to modify an adjective and mean a small degree.
6............... well can you speak English?
Wrong!
Use "How" before the adverb "well" to ask about degree or quality.
7He is ............... creative.
Wrong!
Use "not very" before an adjective to express a low degree.
8Her condition is ............... serious.
Wrong!
Use "very" directly before the adjective "serious".
9You should come ............... you can.
Wrong!
Use "as quickly as" in the equality comparison pattern.
10I don’t care ............... expensive it is.
Wrong!
Use "how" before an adjective to mean "to what degree".
11It is ............... cold today.
Wrong!
Use "very" as the normal intensifier before the adjective "cold".
12Today is ............... yesterday.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Very much colder than" and "much colder than" can both modify a comparative adjective.
Answers
- It was a rather unpleasant experience.
- She looked a bit / a little / rather unhappy.
- You are not tall enough to be a soldier.
- I can’t tell you how pleased I am about the result.
- I thought the house was a little small.
- How well can you speak English?
- He is not very creative.
- Her condition is very serious.
- You should come as quickly as you can.
- I don’t care how expensive it is.
- It is very cold today.
- Today is very much colder than / much colder than yesterday.