Adverbs of Degree are the words that show the degree or extent of the adjectives used in the sentences.
Examples:
- We are quite happy to be here.
- The rock was too heavy to be moved.
- The mother looked somewhat surprised at her son’s behaviour.
- The audience was almost mad with joy.
In the above examples, the highlighted words (quite, too, somewhat and almost) show the extent of the adjectives happy, heavy, surprised and mad. Therefore, the words quite, too, somewhat and almost are adverbs of degree.
Adverbs of degree satisfy the question, ‘to what degree or extent‘. By appearing before the adjectives, they ultimately add to the meanings of the verbs.