What are intensifiers and how to use them, with examples

What Are Intensifiers?

Intensifiers are words used to strengthen or emphasize the meaning of other words, usually adjectives or adverbs. They make statements stronger or more forceful.

Common Intensifiers

Here are some frequently used intensifiers:

• Very (very happy, very fast)
• Really (really interesting, really late)
• So (so tired, so beautiful)
• Extremely (extremely cold, extremely difficult)
• Absolutely (absolutely sure, absolutely amazing)
• Totally (totally wrong, totally different)
• Completely (completely finished, completely silent)
• Incredibly (incredibly easy, incredibly strong)
• Too (too hot, too expensive)

Examples in Sentences

• She was very excited about the trip.
• The movie was really good.
• It’s so cold outside!
• That was an absolutely fantastic performance.
• I am completely exhausted.

Notes on Usage

• Intensifiers are often used in informal speech and writing.
• Overusing intensifiers can make writing less effective; use them for emphasis, not as a habit.
• Some intensifiers only work with certain adjectives (e.g., "absolutely" with non-gradable adjectives: absolutely perfect, not absolutely good).