Emphatic Adjectives

a massive building

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Introduction
What is an emphatic adjective? An adjective describes a noun: A ripe apple. A big truck. We can strengthen most adjectives by adding the word very: A very ripe apple. A very big truck. But there are some adjective that already mean very. For example, massive means very big. It would sound strange to say very massive. These adjectives that already carry the meaning very are called emphatic adjectives. Sometimes they are called strong adjectives.

Rationale for Learning

Why is it good to learn emphatic adjectives English is an expressive language. This means that a good English speaker does not necessarily use the simplest way to communicate an idea. It is better to have a wide range of vocabulary in order to express an idea in many different ways. Rather than say very big, say massive. Rather than say very good, say terrific. In this way, you can easily expand your vocabulary and become more expressive. Learning emphatic adjectives is a terrific way to expand your vocabulary and sound more natural when speaking English.

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Technicalities
Some points to remember 1 Because emphatic adjectives already contain the meaning very, it is not considered correct to use them with the word very. However, we can add further emphasis with the words really and absolutely. Incorrect: Correct: Correct: very terrifying really terrifying absolutely terrifying

2 You may notice that some emphatic adjectives end in -ed or -ing. Please not that they are not verbs and do not demonstrate past, present or future time. If an adjective has an -ed form, it also has an -ing form and vice versa. Example: Example: What a terrifying experience! We were so terrified!

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Exercise 1
Choose the correct word:
1 Which word means very surprising? A| shocking B| insane C| fantastic 2 Which word means very clean? A| spotless B| deserted C| deafening 3 Which word means very strange? A| bizarre B| dumbfounded C| spotless 4 Which word means very good? A| hilarious B| gorgeous C| great 5 Which word means very crazy? A| insane B| hilarious C| fascinating 6 Which word means very excited, energetic? A| immense B| exuberant C| wonderful 7 Which word means very bad? A| stupendous B| horrific C| hilarious 8 Which word means very bad? A| horrible B| terrifying C| exuberant 9 Which word means very funny? A| gorgeous B| horrendous C| hilarious 10 Which word means very surprised, unable to speak? A| tremendous B| tranquil C| dumbfounded 11 Which word means very big? A| bustling B| immense C| stupendous 12 Which word means very scary? A| perplexing B| terrifying C| exhilarating 13 Which word means very silly? A| outstanding B| ludicrous C| sparkling 14 Which word means very tired? A| disgusted B| exhausted C| shocked 15 Which word means very bad? A| hilarious B| huge C| horrendous 16 Which word means very good? A| traumatic B| terrific C| terrible 17 Which word means very bad, makes you sick? A| remarkable B| exuberant C| disgusting 18 Which word means very good? A| fantastic B| outrageous C| perplexing 19 Which word means very cold? A| bustling B| freezing C| spotless 20 Which word means very busy? A| deafening B| ludicrous C| bustling 21 Which word means very old? A| stupendous B| superlative C| ancient 22 Which word means very confusing? A| repulsive B| perplexing C| disgusting 23 Which word means very good? A| bizarre B| marvellous C| insane 24 Which word means very good? A| furious B| awesome C| gorgeous 25 Which word means very good, unique? A| horrendous B| outstanding C| sparkling 26 Which word means very big? A| bizarre B| astonishing C| massive 27 Which word means very good, impressive? A| stupendous B| voracious C| wretched 28 Which word means very good? A| exuberant B| excellent C| awful

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Exercise 2
Choose the correct word:
1 Which word means very hungry, eager? A| magnificent B| voracious C| outstanding 2 Which word means very tasty? A| delicious B| dumbfounded C| disgusting 3 Which word means very good, impressive? A| exuberant B| repulsive C| magnificent 4 Which word means very quiet, peaceful? A| incredible B| tranquil C| remarkable 5 Which word means very surprised? A| horrified B| amazed C| exuberant 6 Which word means very surprising, unusual? A| ludicrous B| sparkling C| incredible 7 Which word means very hungry? A| furious B| delicious C| starving 8 Which word means very good? A| wretched B| immense C| superb 9 Which word means very interesting? A| furious B| outrageous C| fascinating 10 Which word means very big? A| freezing B| huge C| outrageous 11 Which word means very loud? A| sparkling B| disgusting C| deafening 12 Which word means very shiny? A| wretched B| sparkling C| tedious 13 Which word means very unusual, good? A| remarkable B| repulsive C| voracious 14 Which word means very good? A| splendid B| wretched C| bustling 15 Which word means very surprised? A| tremendous B| stunned C| filthy 16 Which word means very bad, makes you sick? A| repulsive B| voracious C| tedious 17 Which word means very angry? A| boiling B| furious C| repulsive 18 Which word means very empty? A| outstanding B| deserted C| repulsive 19 Which word means very bad? A| marvellous B| terrible C| terrific 20 Which word means very beautiful? A| delicious B| bizarre C| gorgeous 21 Which word means very pitiful? A| outrageous B| gorgeous C| wretched 22 Which word means very hot? A| tranquil B| tedious C| boiling 23 Which word means very surprising, wild? A| outrageous B| starving C| bustling 24 Which word means very good? A| wonderful B| robust C| ludicrous 25 Which word means very good? A| immense B| exuberant C| sublime 26 Which word means very bad? A| awful B| awesome C| atypical 27 Which word means very dirty? A| deserted B| filthy C| tranquil 28 Which word means very boring? A| remarkable B| tedious C| tranquil

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Answer key Exercise 1

1 A 2 A 3 A 4 C 5 A 6 B 7 B 8 A 9 C 10 C 11 B 12 B 13 B 14 B 15 C 16 B 17 C 18 A 19 B 20 C 21 C 22 B 23 B 24 B 25 B 26 C 27 A 28 B

Exercise 2
1 B 2 A 3 C 4 B 5 B 6 C 7 C 8 C 9 C 10 B 11 C 12 B 13 A 14 A 15 B 16 A 17 B 18 B 19 B 20 C 21 C 22 C 23 A 24 A 25 C 26 A 27 B 28 B

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