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Very

Very before adverbs and adjectives​

We use very before adverbs and adjectives to add emphasis. It means ‘to a great degree’:

  • He drives very fast.
  • The letter came very quickly.
  • It’s very cold in here.
  • We need a very high ladder to get onto the roof.

When not to use very​

Not before -ed forms in passive voice​

We use very much or well, not very, before -ed forms in passive voice verb phrases with verbs such as enjoy, hate, know, like, love:

  • She is very much liked at school.

  • Not: She is very liked …

  • He is well-known in his village as a trouble-maker.

  • Not: He is very known …

  • The concert was very much enjoyed by everyone.

  • Not: The concert was very enjoyed …

Not before comparatives​

We use very much not very to add emphasis to comparative adverbs and adjectives:

  • Omah is very much better than Ian at basketball.

  • Not: Omah is very better than Ian …

  • London is very much bigger than Naples.

  • Not: London is very bigger than Naples.

Not before some superlatives​

We can use very before superlative adjectives that end in -est (including best and worst), but we don’t use it before superlatives which use the most, we usually use by far:

  • Kristin is the very oldest child in the class.
  • This is the very lowest price I can offer.
  • I think watching television is by far the most harmful activity for a child.
  • Not: … is the very most harmful activity for a child.

Not before ungradable adjectives​

Some adjectives are absolute, such as dead, unique. We do not usually use very before these ungradable adjectives:

  • The king was dead.
  • Not: The king was very dead.
  • He is married.
  • Not: He is very married.

Adjectives which describe an extreme quality can be modified by absolutely, completely, really and totally but not normally with very. Some common examples are:

amazingexcellenthorrified
awfulexceptionalhuge
brilliantfantasticperfect
delightedfuriousstunning
essentialhorribleterrible

  • Her dress was absolutely stunning.

  • Not: Her dress was very stunning.

  • That singer is really awful.

  • Not: That singer is very awful.

  • It is a really fantastic film.

  • Not: It is a very fantastic film.

See also
  • Adjectives

Not very​

We can use not very to soften a negative comment:

  • Ray is usually not very punctual. (more direct: Ray is always late.)
  • This pasta isn’t very nice, is it? (more direct: This pasta is not nice.)