Apedia

Traffic Jams Terrible I Absolutely Extremely Adjectives Strong

Idx 2818
Keyword very
Sub Entry Number 4
Type of Sentence
Error Sentence The traffic jams are very terrible.
Correct Sentence The traffic jams are (absolutely) terrible.
Cloze Error Sentence The traffic jams are [[very]] terrible.
Cloze Sentence The traffic jams are [[(absolutely)]] terrible.
Cloze Answer (absolutely)
Choices (absolutely) | very
Explanation

Do not use very or extremely with adjectives which already have a strong meaning, e.g. boiling (= very hot), convinced (= very sure), exhausted (= very tired), huge (= very big), terrible (= very bad). If you want to increase the strength of these words, use absolutely or (depending on the particular adjective) completely, totally, utterly or quite: 'By the time I got home I was completely exhausted.'

With adjectives which do not have a strong meaning, use very or extremely (NOT absolutely, completely etc ): 'By the time I got back home I was very tired.'

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