作者名称 国旗国籍

David

EN

ES

2020.09.24 13:00

"Very" is commonly used when trying to modify an adjective. For

example, "Our English teacher was very old" or "The very shy boy was very scared to talk to the girl."

In most cases, you could just eliminate "very", and it wouldn't change the essential meaning of the sentence. After all, what is the difference between "scared" and "very scared" or "shy" and "very shy"?

But there is a better way to emphasize adjectives instead of using "very". Use a more specific word. For example, "Our English teacher was ancient" or "The timid boy was petrified to talk to the girl".

It's not wrong to use "very" but for those going deeper into the language, a more specific adjective makes your writing more concise and colourful.🌈
70 18

Download the HelloTalk app to join the conversation.

Comments

  • Andrés 2020.09.24 13:05

    ES
    EN

    Great stuff! Thanks
  • Sherri 2020.09.24 13:05

    JP
    EN

    👍👍👍
  • Mi 미 2020.09.24 13:08

    JP
    EN

    保存しました!ありがとう
  • David 2020.09.24 13:11

    EN
    ES

    @Mi 미 どういたしまして。英語の勉強頑張ってください!
  • David 2020.09.24 13:12

    EN
    ES

    @Andrés You're welcome.
  • Юлия 2020.09.24 14:03

    RU
    EN

    'Our English teacher was ancient' sounds sarcastic. Isn't 'very old' is more polite here?
  • David 2020.09.24 14:22

    EN
    ES

    @Юлия Good point! I guess it depends on how the term is used. Either way, referring to anyone's age I guess is a rather sensitive issue.
  • Aldo 2020.09.24 14:27

    ES
    EN

    Very interesting
  • David 2020.09.24 14:36

    EN
    ES

    @Aldo You mean fascinating, enthralling, captivating😉
  • Юлия 2020.09.24 15:24

    RU
    EN

    @David yes, I totally agree:)
  • chee02_r 2020.09.24 16:35

    JP
    BL
    EN

    CN

    Thank you for the information. I appreciate if you answer to one more question. What is the difference of “very” and “really“? I have heard that “really” is informal words before, but then when do you use “really” instead of “very”? Thank you.
  • David 2020.09.24 16:52

    EN
    ES

    @chee02_r Not much difference I would say and both are rather informal if you ask me. Imagine in an formal research essay, the researchers used "The results in the study were really, really conclusive." I as the reader would be doubtful and asking why they need to try to emphasize "conclusive" when the results alone will do. In fact, I would be suspicious because they used the adverb.
  • chee02_r 2020.09.24 17:04

    JP
    BL
    EN

    CN

    @David Thank you for your explanation! I understand!!! I will be careful not to use these words in formal research essays.
  • Polina 2020.09.24 18:38

    RU
    EN

    Hi! I love your posts. Could you add a voice message with pronunciation of the words to them? It would even more better. Thank you in advance!
  • David 2020.09.25 00:28

    EN
    ES

    @Polina Thanks for your kind words. I'll put up an audio when I can find some peace and quiet (I am renovating my house now so there's a lot of banging.)
  • Sasha 2020.09.26 19:44

    RU
    EN

    To talk about making your speech colourful is painful When I talk to English speakers, I often regret that they could not hear me telling them the same thing, but in Russian😁
  • Polina 2020.09.29 12:59

    RU
    EN

    @David thank you so much!
  • David 2020.09.29 13:07

    EN
    ES

    @Polina Sorry a bit late there. Good to know an audio would be helpful for future posts.

Open HelloTalk to join the conversation