Adverbs of Emphasis｜How to Use very, so, too, quite, and Others

In English, adverbs are often used to express degree or the intensity of feelings, such as “very,” “really,” or “too much.”

By using adverbs of emphasis, I can add nuance to simple expressions. Instead of just saying “good” or “fast,” I can say “very good” or “really fast,” which conveys a stronger impression.

In this lesson, I will introduce some of the most frequently used adverbs of emphasis in both conversation and writing, and explain how to distinguish among them.

1. The Basics of Adverbs of Emphasis

Adverbs of emphasis modify adjectives or verbs to express degree or emotional intensity.

Commonly used adverbs include:

Each carries slightly different nuances, so it is important to choose the right one depending on the context.

2. very: The Most Basic Form of Emphasis

Very is placed before an adjective or adverb to add emphasis. It is the simplest and most widely used form.

Very is moderate in intensity and can be used in both formal and casual settings. It is one of the first adverbs of emphasis learners should master.

3. so: Emotional Emphasis

So also means “very,” but it carries a stronger emotional tone and is more common in spoken English.

Compared to very, so conveys the speaker’s emotions more vividly.

4. too: Expressing Excess or Negativity

Too means “too much” and often implies a negative nuance. It suggests that something goes beyond an acceptable limit.

Unlike very, which is neutral or positive, too implies excess that causes a problem.

5. quite: “Quite a Lot” or “Completely”

Quite is somewhat unique, as its meaning changes depending on the context.

In the first example, quite expresses degree (fairly / rather), while in the second, it means “completely / absolutely.”

In American English, quite tends to mean “rather” or “fairly,” whereas in British English, it often carries the nuance of “completely” or “absolutely.”

6. really: Straightforward Emphasis

Really means “truly” and is frequently used in casual conversation. It conveys sincerity and emotion.

Really is natural in both affirmative and interrogative sentences and tends to sound more heartfelt than very.

7. extremely / absolutely: Strong and Formal Emphasis

Both express strong emphasis, often in formal or written contexts.

They may sound slightly stiff in casual conversation, but they are commonly used in business or formal writing.

8. Summary

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「English Morning｜基礎から学ぶ英語講座」を運営している泉（Izumi）です。このサイトでは基礎から応用まで、英語の文法を解説しています。