We do not normally use very with these kind of adjectives. We do not say something is ‘very enormous‘ or someone is ‘very brilliant‘.
With strong adjectives, we normally use intensifiers like:
- absolutely
- completely
- extremely
- exceptionally
- particularly
- really
- quite
- totally
- utterly
Examples:
The book was absolutely terrible.
It was an extremely powerful film.
He is an exceptionally brilliant child.
The kitchen smelled really disgusting.
Because of the lockdown I´m swamped with laundry to do!!
The government should try to help destitude people who can´t make a living due to coronavirus.
War has a devastating effect on any society.
I love my dog, Emma, but sometimes her barking can be deafening.
Excellent work @Carly
ps. I’m swamped with laundry too… but why? We are not going out, so why are our clothes piling up?
How can we help destitute people? I believe that the best way of helping is educating people. It will let them stand up strongly on their feet. Just giving them money creates a devastating structure of society where there is a lack of willingness to get up and work.
In my last workplace, I was absolutely swamped, worked neverending hours without breaks. As a result of it I started to suffer from excruciating headaches more regularly.
Wonderful use of the vocabulary Anie, well done
Nice post as always, Kerin. But while I was thinking at this powerful adjectives, repeating in my mind some sentences, I realized that you must be careful not abusing them unless you want to sound like Trump (ahaha!)
Ahahaha! That made me laugh Fabrizio! We ABSOLUTELY DO NOT want to be sounding like him! That would be ‘devastating!’
Thanks for leaving a comment
I’m glad I’m still able to humour someone even in english – that’s no small feat… or maybe I should even say a “tremendous” one
I’ve just discovered this new endeavour of yours thanks to a linkedin suggestion, and I’m going to read every available content as soon as I can. Other comments will likely follow, be warned!
Tremendous indeed!
Good stuff Fabrizio. Enjoy!