English grammar
Intensifiers beyond very: ever so, dead, most, really really, super-duper
Intensify adjectives with ever so, dead, most, really really and super-duper, in the right register.
From the scene He's ever so nice
In short
Go beyond very: ever so (chatty British), dead (informal British), a most (formal), really, really (spoken), super-duper (playful).
Your turn
Which one goes with very, informal British?
Options: I'm ever so nice · a most courteous stallholder · dead chatty, dead clever
Show answer
very, informal British → dead chatty, dead clever
How it works
Ever so + adjective is a warm, chatty British "very" (ever so nice).
Good to know
Dead + adjective is informal British (dead chatty, dead clever).
Good to know
Most + adjective, with a/an, is formal and old-fashioned (a most courteous stallholder): it means "very", not the superlative.
Good to know
Really, really is the everyday spoken stress, and super-duper is playful, almost childish.
very, chatty British I'm ever so nice
Tomás
Then put that I'm ever so nice.
Pues pon que soy la mar de simpático.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Then put that (blank).
Options: A most courteous stallholder · I'm ever so nice · Dead chatty, dead clever
Show answer
Tomás
Then put that I'm ever so nice.
Pues pon que soy la mar de simpático.
very, informal British dead chatty, dead clever
Elena
And dead chatty. You take half an hour to sell one orange.
Y de lo más hablador. Tardas media hora en vender una naranja.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank). You take half an hour to sell one orange.
Options: a most courteous stallholder · dead chatty · I'm ever so nice
Show answer
Elena
And dead chatty. You take half an hour to sell one orange.
Y de lo más hablador. Tardas media hora en vender una naranja.
very, formal (a/an + most + adjective) a most courteous stallholder
Nuria
"Tomás is a most courteous stallholder." How's that?
"Tomás es un vendedor sumamente amable." ¿Qué tal?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"Tomás is (blank)." How's that?
Options: I'm ever so nice · dead chatty, dead clever · a most courteous stallholder
Show answer
Nuria
"Tomás is a most courteous stallholder." How's that?
"Tomás es un vendedor sumamente amable." ¿Qué tal?
very, very (spoken emphasis) really, really tiresome
Elena
Then also put that he is really, really tiresome about his mangoes.
Pues pon también que es pero que muy pesado con sus mangos.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Then also put that he is (blank) about his mangoes.
Options: dead chatty, dead clever · really, really tiresome · I'm ever so nice
Show answer
Elena
Then also put that he is really, really tiresome about his mangoes.
Pues pon también que es pero que muy pesado con sus mangos.
very, playful super-duper good
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| very, chatty British | I'm ever so nice |
|---|---|
| very, informal British | dead chatty, dead clever |
| very, formal (a/an + most + adjective) | a most courteous stallholder |
| very, very (spoken emphasis) | really, really tiresome |
| very, playful | super-duper good |
More lines from the story
- Elena"Most"? That sounds like a solicitor, dear.¿«Most»? Eso suena a abogado, cariño.
- ElenaEver so what, Tomás? Remember who is writing the book.¿La mar de qué, Tomás? Recuerda quién escribe el libro.