Intensifiersare adverbs or adverbial phrases that strengthen the meaning of other expressions and show emphasis. Words that we commonly use as intensifiers includeabsolutely,completely, extremely, highly, rather, really, so, too, totally, utterly, veryandat all:
She wassoupset. I feltextremelysorry for her.
She has averystrict teacher.
Don’t worktoohard. Sometimes you’ll get more done by relaxing a bit.
I don’t think she understood the topic and her essay wasrathera mess.
She’sreallyoffended her sister.
At allis a very common intensifier with negative expressions:
Are there no suitable DVDsat all?
I’m afraid I’m notat allinterested.
We also useon earthandeveras intensifiers withwh-words:
What on earthis he doing?(suggests disapproval)
Whydid Ieverinvite them to stay with us?(suggests that there were problems)
See also:
All
Downtoners
Really
So
Swearing and taboo expressions