Adverb as Modifier of Adjective

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs (modifier has been underlined and modified word is in blue font):

In this post, we’ll cover adverbs that modify adjectives, like in the first example.

There are certain types of adverbs – intensifying adverbs, emphasizing adverbs, and few more – that modify adjectives, with the modification mostly being pre-modification, and rarely post-modification.

Learn more: In some situations, adverbs can modify noun, pronoun, preposition, conjunction, and even phrases. Learn the full range of modifying function of adverbs.

1. Intensifying adverbs (or intensifiers) modifying adjectives

An intensifier either increases or decreases the intensity of adjectives. In its role of increasing the intensity, it’s called amplifier; in the other role, downtoner. Intensifiers are the most common modifiers of adjectives. They modify only adjectives and adverbs – not verbs. Examples:

1.1. Examples of amplifiers

He felt very proud of his accomplishments.

News may not be entirely true.

It was extremely cold – it must have dipped below -10 ^oC. [The adverb here is modifying a predicative adjective, adjective that follows a linking verb.]

He solved the problem with incredibly quick thinking. [The adverb here is modifying an attributive adjective, adjective that pre-modifies head noun.]

I did extremely well on the fitness test. [Incorrect. Here extremely is modifying adverb well – and not an adjective. Remember, intensifiers modify adjectives as well as adverbs.]

The decision was absolutely necessary for the success of the project.

Such experience is highly valued by employers.

A while back the machine was perfectly functional.

Don’t be too sweet lest you be eaten up; don’t be too bitter lest you be spewed out.

The airline was unbelievably unprofessional in not providing adequate amenities to the travelers.

Third-quarter results are totally hopeless.

The management is terribly upset with this quarter’s result.

1.2. Examples of downtoners

The water is a bit cold for shower.

The test was fairly easy for most students.

My assignment is nearly complete.

The weather today is pretty bad for outdoor sport.

The assignment is quite challenging.

He seems rather disappointed with the results.

The task is relatively simple if you follow the instructions.

She’s a little nervous about the interview.

A little pot is soon hot. [Incorrect. Here little is modifying the noun pot, implying it’s an adjective – and not an adverb.]

That shot was almost supernatural.

It felt as if I was barely driving.

If you’re an advanced learner, you may want to get the larger picture here, not just for intensifiers but for following adverbs as well. The combined entity we get when an adverb modifies adjective is called adjective phrase (extremely cold). Whereas adverb extremely modifies adjective cold, adjective phrase extremely cold modifies weather in these sentences:

2. Emphasizing adverbs (or emphasizers) modifying adjectives

Emphasizers add to the force – and not intensity, like in case of intensifiers – of adjectives. They reinforce truthfulness of an adjective. Of the emphasizers, indeed and enough are exceptions: Indeed can pre- as well as post-modify, and enough can only post-modify. Remember, adverbs almost always pre-modify adjectives. Examples:

My luggage was really heavy.

It’s just horrible experience.

My desk was all clean, with all books and stationery well-placed.

His response was certainly inappropriate for the occasion.

Her performance was indeed impressive. [indeed pre-modifies impressive]

Her performance was impressive indeed. [indeed post-modifies impressive]

The conference hall wasn’t big enough to accommodate all the invitees. [enough post-modifies big]

3. Other adverbs modifying adjectives

Intensifying adverbs followed by emphasizing adverbs are the major modifiers of adjectives. But other adverbs too can sometimes modify adjectives.

3.1. Adverbs of manner and means

Adverbs of manner and adverbs of means usually modify verbs, but they can sometimes pre-modify adjectives. In this unusual role, they not only retain their original characteristic (of manner, etc.), but also acquire intensifying characteristic. Examples:

The problem was easily manageable with the new software. [Here, adverb of manner easily modifies an adjective, though it usually modifies verbs, like in They solved the problem easily.]

The artist’s skilfully crafted sculpture drew admiration from the critics.

His quietly confident demeanor helped him succeed in the interview.

The weather in July was unbearably muggy.

Digitally enhanced images showcased the product in high detail.

The decision was judicially sound, following established legal principles.

3.2. Adverbs of viewpoint

Usually beginning a sentence, adverbs of viewpoint express a point of view, like in Structurally, the car did well on impact test, which can be paraphrased as From structural point of view, the car did well on impact test. These adverbs too can sometimes pre-modify adjectives. Examples:

The design is structurally innovative and can withstand an earthquake of even 10 on Richter scale.

Coral reef is ecologically crucial for marine life.

The infrastructure project is technically challenging but doable with adequate financial and quality human resources.

The plan is practically impossible under such tight timeline.

3.3. Disjuncts

Disjuncts, loosely called comment adverbs, provide writer’s opinion on a clause or sentence, like in Unfortunately, Tom didn’t take the offer, which can be paraphrased as It’s unfortunate that Tom didn’t take the offer. These adverbs too can sometimes pre-modify adjectives. In this role, they function like intensifiers. Examples:

The medical examination was surprisingly painless.

The goal was realistically achievable, given the resources we had.

The technology proved predictably unreliable under the heavy load of simultaneous users.

The decision was clearly controversial among the committee members.