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“REALLY,” “FAIRLY,” AND “PRETTY” COMMON MISTAKES GRADING AND NON-GRADING ADVERBS
A few adverbs can be used with both gradable and non-gradable Only grading adverbs can be used with gradable
adjectives. They are “really” (meaning “very much”), and “pretty” adjectives, and only non-grading adverbs can be
and “fairly” (both meaning “quite a lot, but not very”).
Gradable used with non-gradable adjectives.

GRADING ADVERBS NON-GRADING ADVERBS

Non-gradable

USING ADVERBS OF DEGREE TO DESCRIBE VERBS
“Quite,” “really,” and “absolutely” can be used to modify
verbs. These modifying words must go before the verb.

In UK English “quite” doesn’t
have as strong an emphasis
“QUITE” as “really.” In US English the
“Quite” can be used with both emphasis is stronger. “Quite” can be used before “enjoy” and “like.”
gradable and non-gradable
adjectives. In US English, it
usually means “very.” In UK “Really” is used to
English, it weakens gradable mean “a lot more.”
adjectives to mean “not very,” “Really” can be used before “like,”
“love,” “enjoy,” “don’t like,” and “hate.”
but strengthens non-gradable
adjectives to mean “very” “Absolutely” is used
or “completely.” in extreme forms.

“Absolutely” can be used before “love” and “hate.”

FURTHER EXAMPLES FURTHER EXAMPLES

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