inensifiers & quantifiers

Question 1

so

Answer 1

a) It makes the meaning stronger - so + adjective/adverb

so quick/ so quickly

b) you can use “so…that”

I was so tired THAT I fell asleep

BUT we usually leave out “that”:

I was so tired I fell asleep

c) It also means “like this”:

I didn’t realise it was so old (= as old as it is)

Question 2

such

Answer 2

a) It makes the meaning stronger - such + noun

such a story - such people - such information (uncountable)

• you can aslo use it like this = such + adj + noun

such a stupid story - such nice people

b) b) you can use “so…that”

It was such a nice weather THAT we spent the whole day on the beach

BUT we usually leave out “that”:

It was such a nice weather we spent…

c) it also means “like this”

How can you do such a thing? (= a thing like this)

• NO SUCH… = There’s no such a world (= this word does not exist)

some expressions = such a long time - such a long way - such a lot (of)

there was such a lot of traffic

Question 3

enough

Answer 3

a) goes after adjectives and adverbs

I’m not fit enough - we’ve waited long enough

b) It goes before nouns

We have enough money

c) we can use it alone

We don’t need more money. We have enough

d) not enough = less than is necessary

You don’t work hard enough

e) enough…for s/st

Does Joe have enough experience for the job?

f) enough…to do st

Does Joe have enough experience to do the job?

g) enough…for…to

The bridge is wide enough for two cars to pass one another

h) adj + enough + to do st

These apples are not ripe enough to eat/ to be eaten

Question 4

too

Answer 4

a) It means “more than is necessary” - it goes before adjectives and adverbs

The tea is too hot - He speaks too quickly

b) When it is put at the end of a sentence, it means “also” or “in addition” (You can use “as well” at the end instead and get the same result)

I’d like some tea too/ as well

We visited Rome, and Florence too/ as well

c) too much/too many

There is too much furniture - There are too many people

d) too…for s/st

This shirt is too small for you

e) too…do st

It’s too fat to walk home from here

f) both for…to

The road is too narrow for 4 cars to pass

g) too hot to eat, etc.

The food was too hot to eat - some things are too small to be seen

Question 5

quite

Answer 5

a) = pretty = less than “very”, but more than “a little”

She’s quite famous/pretty famous

b) quite + a/an + (adj) + noun

It was quite a surprise
It was quite a good job

c) quite a lot (of)

There were quite a lot of guests

d) quite + verb, especially after “like” and “enjoy”

I quite like tennis, but it’s not my favourite sport

e) It also means “completely” (k@mpliitli)

• with a number of adjs, especially (sure, certain, right, wrong, clear, different, impossible etc.)

Are you sure? Yes, quite sure (= completely sure)

• with some verbs

I quite agree with you (= I completely agree)

• not quite = not completely

Are you ready yet? Not quite

I don’t quite understand what you mean

BUT in AE it means “pretty”

Yes, quite sure (= pretty sure)

Question 6

pretty

Answer 6

a) = quite = less than “very”, but more than “a little”

She’s pretty famous/quite famous

b) It goes before other adjectives

Sarah has a pretty good job

c) It’s an informal word used mainly in spoken English

Question 7

rather (raath@)

Answer 7

a) It’s similar to “quite” and “pretty”. We often use it for negative ideas (things we think are not good)

The weather isn’t good. It’s rather cloudy

b) It goes before other adjectives

Sarah has a rather bad job

c) when we use it for positive ideas (good/nice etc.), it means “usually” or “surprisingly”

These oranges are rather good. Where did you get them? (= they are surpringly good)

In August, it’s rather hot in southern Italy (= it’s usually hot at that time of year)

Question 8

fairly (fe@li)

Answer 8

a) It’s weaker than quite/rather/pretty = Not very much/good, it could be more/better (=moderately or reasonably)

My room is fairly big, but I’d prefer a bigger one

b) It goes before other adjectives

Sarah has a fairly good job, but she’s looking for a better one

Question 9

common (kom@n) adjs with which “quite” means “completely”

Answer 9

sure
certain
right
wrong
true
safe
clear
obvious
different
unnecessary
incredible
extraordinary
amazing
impossible

Question 10

a bit/ a little (bit) / slightly

Answer 10

a) A bit, a little and slightly have the same meaning and are mostly used BEFORE adjectives that
express NEGATIVE IDEAS, e.g. We were a bit bored. I was slightly upset

b) A bit and a little CANNOT be used with adjectives before a noun.

It was a slightly small flat (NOT a bit small flat)