Intensifiers: Very, Really, Quite - A1 Grammar

1. That was ___ funny! I laughed so much my stomach hurt.

• A. really ✓
• B. quite
• C. not very
• D. very not

Answer: really

'Really funny' = extremely funny. The strong reaction (stomach hurt from laughing) confirms high intensity.

2. The hotel was ___ nice. Not perfect, but we had a good stay.

• A. quite ✓
• B. really
• C. very
• D. not very

Answer: quite

'Quite nice' = better than average but not perfect. The sentence confirms it was not exceptional.

3. I am ___ good at maths. Numbers just don't make sense to me.

• A. not very ✓
• B. really
• C. quite
• D. very

Answer: not very

'Not very good' = below average. Used before adjectives in negative sentences.

4. She works ___ hard. She is always the last one to leave the office.

• A. very ✓
• B. quite
• C. not really
• D. really not

Answer: very

'Works very hard' = intensifier before an adverb. Evidence given confirms it is a strong statement.

5. I ___ enjoyed the concert. It was one of the best nights of my life.

• A. really ✓
• B. quite
• C. very
• D. not very

Answer: really

'Really enjoyed' = 'really' before a verb to add emphasis. 'Very enjoyed' is not correct.

6. The soup is ___ hot. Let it cool down for a few minutes before you eat it.

• A. very ✓
• B. quite
• C. not really
• D. not very

Answer: very

'Very hot' = strongly hot. The advice to wait before eating confirms it is a strong warning.

7. It is ___ far from here. You can walk there in ten minutes.

• A. not very ✓
• B. very
• C. really
• D. quite

Answer: not very

'Not very far' = close. Walking in ten minutes confirms it is nearby.

8. The exam was ___ difficult. I think most people passed.

• A. quite ✓
• B. really
• C. very
• D. not very

Answer: quite

'Quite difficult' = moderately difficult. Most people passing suggests it was not extreme.

9. I do ___ like spicy food. I prefer mild flavours.

• A. not really ✓
• B. not very
• C. really
• D. very

Answer: not really

'Not really like' = mild dislike. 'Not really' before a verb is the natural negative form.

10. He is ___ kind. He always helps everyone without being asked.

• A. really ✓
• B. quite
• C. not very
• D. not really

Answer: really

'Really kind' = very kind with emotion. Evidence given (always helps without being asked) confirms high praise.

1. Usain Bolt is one of the most famous athletes in the world. He is from Jamaica and he is _____ tall for a sprinter, about 1.95 metres. Most sprint coaches said tall runners could not be fast, but Bolt proved them completely wrong.<br> At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Bolt did something _____ extraordinary. He won the 100 metres in a world record time and he was even celebrating before he crossed the finish line! The crowd went wild.<br> By 2016, he had won eight Olympic gold medals. He was _____ dominant in his sport for nearly a decade. No other sprinter came close.<br> Off the track, Bolt is known for being _____ funny and entertaining. He loves dancing, parties, and making people laugh. Fans adore him.<br> His story is _____ inspiring. He showed the world that if you believe in yourself and work hard, anything is possible.

• A. really
• B. quite
• C. not very
• D. quite
• E. very
• F. not very
• G. very
• H. really
• I. quite
• J. really
• K. not very
• L. quite
• M. quite
• N. very
• O. really

Answer: really, quite, very, really, quite

Very: strong, neutral. Really: very strong, emotional. Quite: moderate, more than a little.

1. good / was / really / the / film

Answer: The film was really good.

Intensifier (really) goes before the adjective (good).

2. very / drives / he / carefully

Answer: He drives very carefully.

Intensifier (very) goes before the adverb (carefully).

3. song / I / really / like / this

Answer: I really like this song.

'Really' can go before a verb to add emphasis: I really like.

4. quite / the / difficult / exam / was

Answer: The exam was quite difficult.

'Quite' goes before the adjective (difficult). Means moderately difficult.

5. good / not / I / very / am / cooking / at

Answer: I am not very good at cooking.

'Not very' before an adjective (good) = below average.

6. hard / really / she / works

Answer: She works really hard.

Intensifier (really) goes before the adverb (hard).

7. hot / it / very / outside / is / today

Answer: It is very hot outside today.

'Very' goes before the adjective (hot).

8. quite / flat / new / is / our / big

Answer: Our new flat is quite big.

'Quite' goes before the adjective (big). Means moderately big.

9. really / enjoy / I / do / not / coffee

Answer: I do not really enjoy coffee.

'Not really' before a verb = mild dislike or lack of enthusiasm.

10. the / far / is / station / very / from / here

Answer: The station is very far from here.

'Very' goes before the adjective (far). Confirms it is a long distance.

1. You are an English conversation tutor doing a structured speaking drill with an A1 student. The grammar focus is: (1) very + adjective/adverb for strong emphasis, (2) really + adjective/adverb/verb for very strong or emotional emphasis, (3) quite + adjective/adverb for moderate emphasis (more than a little, but not very), (4) not very + adjective for below average, (5) not really + verb for mild dislike or lack of enthusiasm. STRUCTURE: Ask exactly 6 questions, one at a time. Wait for the student's full answer before continuing. QUESTIONS TO ASK (in this order): 1. 'Tell me about a film, book, or TV show you watched recently. How was it? Use very, really, or quite to describe it.' (target: It was really exciting. The acting was very good. The ending was quite surprising.) 2. 'Describe your home or neighbourhood. Use very, really, and quite at least once each.' (target: My flat is quite small but really cosy. The neighbourhood is very quiet. The people are really friendly.) 3. 'I will say an adjective. Tell me a sentence using it with very, really, or quite. Ready? Cold. Tired. Interesting. Difficult.' (target: It is very cold today. I am really tired after work. The book was quite interesting.) 4. 'Tell me three things you are not very good at and one thing you really enjoy.' (target: I am not very good at singing. I do not really like getting up early. I really enjoy cooking.) 5. 'I will describe a situation. Choose very, really, or quite and explain why. Ready? You just ate the best meal of your life. A film was okay but not amazing. You are below average at tennis.' (target: It was really delicious! The film was quite good. I am not very good at tennis.) 6. 'Tell me about a place you visited. Use all three intensifiers: very, really, and quite.' (target: The city was really beautiful. The food was very good. The hotel was quite expensive but worth it.) FEEDBACK RULES: - If the student puts the intensifier after the adjective (e.g. 'It was cold very'), recast: 'It was very cold! Did you wear a coat?' - If the student uses 'very' before a verb (e.g. 'I very like it'), recast: 'You really like it! That is great.' - If the student uses 'very' where 'quite' is more natural for a moderate statement, accept it but model 'quite' in your reply: 'It was quite good! Not perfect but enjoyable.' - Do NOT explain the grammar rule. Only model the correct form in your reply. - After all 6 questions, give one warm sentence of feedback and say goodbye.

1. Question 1