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English is a tricky language. It can be hard to use the correct amount of intensifiers, especially when they’re not used in the same way as they are in your native tongue. You might be able to understand and speak English fairly well, but understanding how to use these words correctly can be a challenge. Luckily, there’s an easy way to learn! This blog article will teach you how this word is used in English – and what it means for your writing.
Introduction
Intensifiers are words that we use to modify or emphasize the meaning of other words. They can be used to make a statement more forceful, or to express a higher degree of something. For example, “She’s so smart!” is more emphatic than “She’s smart.”
There are many intensifiers in English, and they can be divided into several categories. The most common type is the adverbial intensifier, which is an adverb that modifies another adjective or verb. For example, “He’s driving so fast!” Here, the adverb “so” is intensifying the adjective “fast.”
Other types of intensifiers include: adjectival intensifiers (“That dress is so beautiful!”); noun phrase intensifiers (“He’s my best friend!”); prepositional phrase intensifiers (“I’m really tired of this weather!”); and interjectional intensifiers (“Wow, that was amazing!”).
Intensifiers are important because they can change the meaning of a statement dramatically. In some cases, they can even change the tone from positive to negative.
For example, consider the following two sentences:
“You’re doing a great job!” (positive)“You’re doing such a great job!” (enthusiastic)“You’re doing such a terrible job!” (negative)
As you can see, the addition of an intensifier can completely change the way a sentence is interpreted. Therefore, it’s important to choose your intensifiers carefully, based on the context and your intended meaning.
The Difference between Too much & Enough
It’s a common mistake to use intensifiers when we really don’t need them. For example, saying “I’m so tired” when we really mean “I’m tired.” Or “This is so good” when we really mean “This is good.”
Intensifiers are words or phrases that increase the intensity of something. They can make us feel more strongly about something or emphasize a point.
However, overusing intensifiers can weaken our message. It can make us sound insecure or unsure of ourselves. And it can make the person we’re talking to feel like we’re trying to manipulation them into feeling a certain way.
As a general rule, only use an intensifier if it’s truly necessary to communicate your meaning. If you can say what you need to without using an intensifier, then it’s probably best to avoid it.
Some situations where an intensifier might be appropriate include:
- When you want to emphasize a point
- When you want to add emotional impact
- When you want to express excitement
- When you want to show gratitude
If you’re not sure whether or not an intensifier is necessary, try reading your sentence out loud without it. If the sentence still makes sense and gets your point across without the intensifier, then leave it out.
Intensifiers: Words that make a sentence stronger or more emphaticIntensifiers are words that make a sentence stronger or more emphatic. They can be used to emphasize a point, to add emotion, or to make a statement more persuasive.
There are many different intensifiers, and they can be used in different ways. Some common intensifiers include:
- absolutely
- completely
- definitely
- entirely
- extremely
- really
- surely
- terribly
- totally
When choosing an intensifier, it is important to consider the context and the tone you wish to convey. Intensifiers can be overused, and using too many of them can make your writing sound weaker rather than stronger. It is often best to use them sparingly for maximum impact.
Conclusion
Intensifiers are important for a number of reasons. They can add emphasis, create contrast, and make your writing more interesting. When used correctly, intensifiers can be a great tool for writers. However, it’s important to use them sparingly and to be aware of their potential impact on your readers. With a little practice, you’ll be able to use intensifiers effectively in your own writing.
Thank you for reading!
This was written by me. Bryce Purnell, founder of Learn Laugh Speak.
Check out more on my Medium or send me an email if you’re ever curious about anything at all