5Intensifyingadverbs.docVIP

5 Intensifying adverbs In English there are lots of other ways of saying very or very mush. For example, we can use words such as highly, utterly, deeply. These alternatives collocate strongly with specific words, and other combinations often sound unnatural. Highly Collocations Comments un likely unusual successful competitive profitable effective controversial recommended Highly is used with some probability words likely, unusual . With the exception of highly controversial it usually combines with very positive words. Extremely can also be used with all the opposite adjectives except recommended. It is highly unlikely that I’ll finish my work on time. Jill’s highly unusual behavior began to worry her parents. Absolutely, utterly collocations comments ridiculous stupid impossible wrong alone appalled convinced devastated miserable Absolutely and slightly more formal utterly combine with adjectives with very extreme meanings where we cant’s use very. For example, se say absolutely/utterly exhausted, not very exhausted, whereas we say very tired, but not absolutely or utterly tired. Often, but not always, these words have negative connotations. It was an absolutely stupid comment to make. The whole area was utterly devastated after the earthquake. Bitterly, deeply, ridiculously, strongly word collocations comments bitterly disappointing/disappointed resent criticize regret complain cry weep carries a feeling of deep sadness’ used slightly more in writing than in conversation deeply ashamed concerned shocked committed moved affected hurt of feelings regret care religious unhappy collocates mainly with words associated with feelings; used slightly more in writing than in conversation ridiculously Cheap expensive easy low high long short small large early Suggests something extreme, which seems unbelievable or unreasonable strongly Oppose influence believe deny recommend support condemn suggest feel argue object Collocates with verbs, particularly verbs