Strong Adjectives

What Are Strong Adjectives?

Strong adjectives are more intense versions of regular adjectives. They provide a clearer and stronger description.

For example, instead of saying "good," you could say "fantastic." Instead of "bad," you could say "terrible." These stronger words convey your message more effectively.

Common Strong Adjectives and Their Uses

Here are some frequently used strong adjectives:

Positive Strong Adjectives:

• Amazing

• Superb

• Magnificent

• Incredible

• Exceptional

Negative Strong Adjectives:

• Awful

• Dreadful

• Horrible

• Terrible

• Appalling

Strong adjectives are commonly used in various contexts, such as marketing, storytelling, and everyday conversation.

Examples in Sentences:

1. The meal was amazing.

2. Her performance was superb.

3. The view from the mountain is magnificent.

4. The weather today is awful.

5. That movie was dreadful.

6. The accident was horrible.

7. His presentation was incredible.

8. The service at the hotel was exceptional.

9. The condition of the house was appalling.

10. The situation became terrible very quickly.

Intensifiers and Strong Adjectives

Intensifiers are words used to emphasize strong adjectives, making them even more powerful. Common intensifiers include "absolutely," "utterly," "completely," and "entirely."

Examples:

• The concert was absolutely amazing.

• The failure was utterly dreadful.

• The news was completely appalling.

• The service was entirely exceptional.

Rules and Tips:

• Use intensifiers to add emphasis but avoid overusing them. Overuse can make your writing seem exaggerated or insincere.

• Choose the right intensifier for the context to ensure your message is clear. For example, "absolutely fantastic" sounds more natural than "entirely fantastic."

• Intensifiers should not be used with adjectives that are already superlative or imply a maximum degree (e.g., "unique," "perfect").

Practical Tips for Using Strong Adjectives in Everyday English

Selecting the right strong adjective depends on the situation. Here are some tips:

Rules:

1. Match the Adjective to the Context: Ensure the adjective fits the noun it describes. "Magnificent cake" makes sense, but "magnificent cookie" may seem exaggerated.

2. Avoid Redundancy: Do not use a strong adjective with an intensifier if it is unnecessary. For example, "absolutely unique" is redundant because "unique" already implies a maximum degree.

3. Stay Appropriate: Consider the formality of your context. Strong adjectives like "horrific" might be too intense for casual conversation.

Common Mistakes:

1. Overusing Strong Adjectives: Using too many strong adjectives can overwhelm the reader and dilute their impact.

2. Incorrect Pairing: Pairing strong adjectives with nouns that do not match in intensity. For example, "terrible mistake" is appropriate, but "terrible detail" is not.

3. Misusing Intensifiers: Adding intensifiers to adjectives that do not need them, such as "very perfect."

Exercises and Practice Sentences:

Describe a memorable vacation using at least five strong adjectives.

• "The beach was magnificent."

• "The food was superb."

• "The weather was perfect."

• "The hotel service was exceptional."

• "The experience was incredible."

Write about a disappointing experience using negative strong adjectives.

• "The flight delay was awful."

• "The customer service was dreadful."

• "The hotel room was horrible."

• "The meal was terrible."

• "The entire trip was appalling."
  

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