41    Adverbs of degree

absolutely, almost, barely, completely, enough, entirely, extremely, fairly, far, hardly, just, much, nearly, only, quite, rather, really, scarcely, so, too, very etc. (For (a) little, see 5 D; for fairly and rather, see 42; for hardly, scarcely, barely, see 44; for quite, see 43.)

A.    An adverb of degree modifies an adjective or another adverb. It is placed before the adjective or adverb:

You are absolutely right.      

I'm almost ready.

But enough follows its adjective or adverb:

The box isn 't big enough.

He didn't work quickly enough.      

B.    far requires a comparative, or too + positive:

It is far better to say nothing.      

He drives far too fast.

much could replace far here. It can also be used with a superlative:

 This solution is much the best.

C.     The following adverbs of degree can also modify verbs:

almost, barely, enough, hardly, just, (a) little, much, nearly, quite, rather, really and scarcely. All except much are then placed before the main verb, like adverbs of frequency (see 38). He almost/nearly fell.       I am just going. Tom didn 't like it much but I really enjoyed it. (For much, see 33. For (a) little, see 5 D.)

D.     only can also modify verbs. In theory it is placed next to the word to which it applies, preceding verbs, adjectives and adverbs and preceding or following nouns and pronouns:

(a)  He had only six apples, (not more than six)

(b)  He only lent the car. (He didn't give it.)

(c)  He lent the car to me only, (not to anyone else)

(d)  / believe only half of what he said.

But in spoken English people usually put it before the verb, obtaining the required meaning by stressing the word to which the only applies:

He only had six apples is the same as (a) above.

He only lent the car to me is the same as (c) above.

I only believe half etc. is the same as (d) above.

E.    just, like only, should precede the word it qualifies:

I'll buy just one. I had just enough money.

It can also be placed immediately before the verb:

I'll just buy one. I just had enough money.

But sometimes this change of order would change the meaning:

Just sign here means This is all you have to do.

Sign just here means Sign in this particular spot.