Reference Centre
Language, when you need it
Search concise B2 rules, vocabulary and speaking phrases without leaving the course to hunt through past lessons.
Want more practice? Extra Practice →
Comparison & Emphasis
Quick rule
Gradable adjectives take very / quite / a bit. Non-gradable (extreme) adjectives take absolutely / completely / utterly — not 'very'.
The service was fairly slow but the food was outstanding.
I was absolutely shattered after the flight.
It's quite an interesting idea, though not entirely new.
Common mistake
✗ I was very exhausted. → ✓ I was absolutely exhausted.
Short practice
Fix: 'The film was very fantastic.' → The film was absolutely fantastic.