Intensifying adverbs

We can use some adverbs with adjectives or verbs to amplify or intensify their meaning i.e.

I am deeply fustrated at the amount of new vocabulary we need to learn.

However it’s…

Using intensifying adverbs will help you with highlighting and emphasising the meaning of what you want to say. There are some common collocations you need to bear in mind

Bitterly

You can use bitterly when there is a strong negative emotion: usually sadness (with “disappointed,” “regret,” and “cry”) or annoyance/anger (with “complain” and “resent”)

  • bitterly disappointed
  • bitterly regret
  • cry bitterly
  • complain bitterly
  • bitterly resent

Bitterly is also often used with cold, to emphasize weather that is very, very cold!

Deeply

You can use deeply with emotions in general, to emphasize that they are very strong.

  • deeply appreciative
  • deeply ashamed
  • deeply concerned
  • deeply hurt
  • deeply moved
  • deeply offended
  • deeply worried

Highly

You can use highly with “probability” words (likely/unlikely, probable, unusual) and others:

  • highly unlikely
  • highly probable
  • highly effective
  • highly controversial
  • highly profitable
  • highly recommended

Ridiculously

You can use ridiculously when something is so extreme, it’s difficult to believe.

  • ridiculously cheap
  • ridiculously easy
  • ridiculously long
  • ridiculously small
  • ridiculously early

Strongly

You can use strongly with verbs relating to having or expressing opinions:

  • strongly believe
  • strongly deny
  • strongly oppose
  • strongly feel
  • strongly dislike
  • strongly support
  • strongly influence

Try this exercise  and the ones in this great link

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