Words that are used to describe or change the meaning of adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs are
adverbs; while adverbs used to describe the intensity of the word are intensifiers. Learn how to use
adverbs as intensifiers in sentences, as well as the different types and their placement in
sentences. Updated: 01/12/2022
Adverbs
Thomas Edison once said, ''If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound
ourselves.'' In this quote, the word 'literally' is an adverb that's used as an intensifier. An adverb is a
word that's used to describe or change the meaning of an adjective, verb, or another adverb.
An intensifier is an adverb that is used to describe the intensity of the word that is being modified.
Sometimes intensifiers are used to amplify the meaning of a verb, adverb, or adjective; other times
they're used to downplay a word. Let's look at the proper use of intensifiers in writing.
Types
Intensifiers are descriptive words that help explain feelings or ideas associated with an action. There are
four types of intensifiers:
Emphasizers
Amplifiers
Downtoners
Premodifiers
Emphasizers are adverbs that highlight the intensity of a verb, adverb, or adjective. Examples include:
Definitely
Apparently
Really
Basically
Literally
Certainly
Amplifiers are adverbs that increase the intensity of the words they're modifying. For example:
Entirely
Totally
Indisputably
Absolutely
Remarkably
Downtoners are adverbs that downplay the intensity of a verb, adverb, or adjective. Examples include:
Kind of
Somewhat
Sort of
Slightly
A little
Merely
Nearly
Premodifiers are adverbs that alter the intensity of the modified word. For example:
Very
Relatively
Rather
Placement
Intensifiers may be placed anywhere in a sentence, as long as they're close to the word or words that
are being modified. Misplaced modifiers are confusing, and even humorous at times. Take a look at
these sentences, which have been adapted from S. E. Hinton's The Outsiders, to see how misplacing a
modifier can alter the meaning of a sentence.
''Cherry had apparently shown up there before during the week Johnny and I had spent in Windrixville.''
''Apparently Cherry had shown up there before during the week Johnny and I had spent in Windrixville.''
''Cherry had shown up there before during the week Johnny and I had apparently spent in Windrixville.''
In the first two sentences, the meaning is the same, even though the word 'apparently' appears in a
different place. In both sentences, the word is close enough to 'had shown up' that the reader can
clearly understand the author's intent. In the third sentence, the placement of the word 'apparently'
appears to modify 'had spent,' casting doubt on the narrator's recollection of whether or not he was in
Windrixville.
Reference: https://study.com/academy/lesson/using-adverbs-as-intensifiers.html
