There are certain adverbs that can be put in front of adjectives and verbs to make their meaning stronger or weaker. These are adverbs of degree.

 

She speaks very quietly.

 

My mom really loves cooking.

 

This book is fairly interesting.

 

Many adverbs of degree like ‘very’, ‘really’, ‘quite’, ‘barely’, ‘not particularly’, etc., can be used with gradable adjectives.

These are grading adverbs, making the adjective stronger or weaker:

 

This movie is extremely interesting.

 

The game was really impressive.

 

Your brother is quite talented.

 

The street is barely illuminated.

 

Tom’s feeling slightly unwell.

 

I love my puppy, it’s very funny.

 

Certain adverbs like ‘absolutely’, ‘completely’, ‘totally’, ‘nearly’, ‘practically’, ‘almost’ etc., are used only with non-gradable adjectives.

These are non-grading adverbs, used to describe things that possess some quality entirely or almost entirely.

 

Our journey was totally fascinating.

 

Today I feel myself perfectly well.

 

Mary’s new dress is absolutely amazing.

 

The students in our university are mostly American.

 

These two cars are practically identical.

 

Adverbs ‘really’, ‘fairly’ and ‘pretty’ can be used both with gradable and non-gradable adjectives:

 

It’s a really good idea (gradable, meaning the idea is very good).

 

It’s a really great idea (non-gradable, meaning the idea is absolutely the best).

 

The story is fairly interesting (gradable).

 

The story is fairly instructive (non-gradable).

 

Running marathons is pretty difficult (gradable).

 

Running marathons is pretty impossible (non-gradable).

 

Adverbs of degree ‘quite’, ‘really’ and ‘absolutely’ can also be used with the verbs. They are put before the verbs to modify their meaning a little.

 

I quite enjoy running (meaning it gives me pleasure).

 

I really like running (meaning I do it quite often and I like it).

 

I absolutely love running (meaning I can’t live without it)