Adverbs and adverbials are some of the most useful parts of speech. They allow us to modify verbs, adjectives, phrases, and even sentences. This lesson will focus on a few of the ways you can use adverbs to add emphasis and intensity.
Quite
Quite is one adverb that can be used to express emphasis. Most often, quite means 'fairly' or 'somewhat'. However, when this adverb is used to add emphasis, it has a similar meaning to very. You can use it with adjectives or a(n) + noun phrase.
- Did you see that new horror movie? I was quite terrified for most of it.
- Javier bought quite an expensive suit for his wedding; he's going to look great!
- Hana is quite pleased with the new yoga class that she started last month.
- That was quite a lecture! I never knew there was so much to learn about mindfulness.
Note that if you are using quite to emphasize in spoken English, you need to stress quite and the adjectives or noun phrase equally. This is especially important with gradable adjectives (like pleased in the third example)—if you don’t stress quite, then the meaning is ‘fairly’. Listen to the examples and try to notice the stress.
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