Gradable Adverbs

A gradable adverb can make a gradable adjective stronger or weaker.

Examples:

  • very
  • completely
  • fairly
  • quite
  • slightly
  • a bit

As in these examples:

  • It had been a fairly quiet day so far.
    (adverb/fairly – adjective/quiet)
  • He thought that it was a bit strange she hadn’t phoned.
    (adverb/a bit – adjective/strange)

Common mistakes with adverbs.