Adverbs: Intensifiers & Mitigators

Adverbs

Adverbs of Degree are used to provide information about the intensity of an action or adjective. {see Adverbs of Degree, A1 Level}

Intesifiers and Mitigators are part of Adverbs of Degree.

Below there is a list of the most common Intensifiers and Mitigators.

Intensifiers

Highly;
Absolutely;
So;
Utterly;
Incredibly;
Particularly.

Mitigators

Fairly;
Pretty (informal);
Rather;
Slightly.

Intensifiers

The climate was highly dry.
It is absolutely impossible to win at most carnival games.
He was so helpful.
The view is utterly beautiful.
We came incredibly close to falling of the stairs.
These drawings are particularly good.

Mitigators

These crystals are fairly bright.
It is pretty expensive, but I’m still going to buy it.
I’m rather bored.
The view was slightly good, but not breathtaking.

Intensifiers are used when we want to make words and expressions stronger.

Mitigators are used when we want to make words and expressions weaker.

Adverbs of Degree are used to provide information about the intensity of an action or adjective. Intensifiers and Mitigators are part of Adverbs of Degree. We use Intensifiers to emphasise words or expressions and Mitigators to make the emphasis on these words and expressions not as strong.

The most common Intensifiers are: Highly, absolutely, so, incredibly, utterly and particularly.
The most common Mitigators are: Fairly, pretty, rather and slightly.

For example:
— “I am absolutely sure he is lying.” = Strong.
— “I am fairly sure that he is lying.” = Weak.

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