Hello,
I'm looking for exercises on the web which would help me understand the difference in meaning, and use, between the following intensifiers:
so / so ... that; such / such a ... that; very; too; enough / enough ... to.
Do you know of any other problematic constructions?
Would you please tell me where I can find such exercises?
I have found the following instructions on intensifiers :
“Avoid using so as an intensifier, as in "It's so hot." "So" on its own, where "very" belongs, is a no-no.”
I didn’t understand the last sentence. Would you please explain it to me?
Thanks a lot.
rules and exercises on intensifiers
Moderator: Alan
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Hela
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Alan
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I'm afraid I don't have information relating to any particular sites, but as with regard to any kind of online English grammar exercise I can only suggest the patient use of a search engine: with sufficient perseverance, there are exercises on almost anything to be found .
The sentence means that it is considered poor style to use 'so' without a correlative clause (as in It was SO hot THAT THEY TOOK OFF THEIR SHIRTS). With no correlative, 'very' is a preferable choice of intensifier.[/i]
The sentence means that it is considered poor style to use 'so' without a correlative clause (as in It was SO hot THAT THEY TOOK OFF THEIR SHIRTS). With no correlative, 'very' is a preferable choice of intensifier.[/i]
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Hela
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Dear Allan,
Here's an another question: Would you please help me correct this exercise?
Rewrite the following sentences using an intensifier where appropriate.
1) There were many more … (so many more)
(In what kind of sentence can this expression appear?)
2) She did it well. (very / so well)
(is there a difference in meaning between “very” and “so” here?)
3) I was disappointed because I had tried hard. (very / so hard ??)
(same question as above)
4) The bus was crowded. (very / so crowded ?)
5) I can’t drink this coffee because it’s hot.
a) (very / too hot)
(is there a difference here between “very” and “too”?)
b) This coffee is so hot that I can’t drink it.
6) I can hardly hold my pen because my hands are cold.
a) (very cold) / (too cold ?)
b) My hands are so cold that I can hardly hold my pen.
7) No one ever talks to him because he’s a rude man.
a) a very rude man
b) he is too rude a man
(what’s the difference between the 2 constructions?)
c) He’s such a rude man that no one ever talks to him.
8) Was it expensive to buy? (too / so / very expensive ?)
9) There were people there. (too / so many people)
10) It looks nice. (very / so nice ?)
11) It was good of you to help us. (so good of you ?)
Thank you very much for your help.
Best regards.
Here's an another question: Would you please help me correct this exercise?
Rewrite the following sentences using an intensifier where appropriate.
1) There were many more … (so many more)
(In what kind of sentence can this expression appear?)
2) She did it well. (very / so well)
(is there a difference in meaning between “very” and “so” here?)
3) I was disappointed because I had tried hard. (very / so hard ??)
(same question as above)
4) The bus was crowded. (very / so crowded ?)
5) I can’t drink this coffee because it’s hot.
a) (very / too hot)
(is there a difference here between “very” and “too”?)
b) This coffee is so hot that I can’t drink it.
6) I can hardly hold my pen because my hands are cold.
a) (very cold) / (too cold ?)
b) My hands are so cold that I can hardly hold my pen.
7) No one ever talks to him because he’s a rude man.
a) a very rude man
b) he is too rude a man
(what’s the difference between the 2 constructions?)
c) He’s such a rude man that no one ever talks to him.
8) Was it expensive to buy? (too / so / very expensive ?)
9) There were people there. (too / so many people)
10) It looks nice. (very / so nice ?)
11) It was good of you to help us. (so good of you ?)
Thank you very much for your help.
Best regards.
Last edited by Hela on Sat Nov 27, 2004 12:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Hela
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- Posts: 557
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2004 6:59 pm
Dear Allan,
I have split my question above into 2:
"Here's an another question: Would you please help me correct this exercise?
Rewrite the following sentences using an intensifier where appropriate.
1) There were many more … (so many more...)
(In what kind of sentence can this expression appear?)
2) She did it well. (very / so well)
(is there a difference in meaning between “very” and “so” here?)
3) I was disappointed because I had tried hard. (very / so hard ??)
(same question as above)
4) I can’t drink this coffee because it’s hot.
a) (very / too hot)
(is there a difference here between “very” and “too”?)
b) This coffee is so hot that I can’t drink it.
5) No one ever talks to him because he’s a rude man.
a) a very rude man
b) he is too rude a man
(what’s the difference between the 2 constructions?)
c) He’s such a rude man that no one ever talks to him.
Thank you very much for your help.
Best regards.
I have split my question above into 2:
"Here's an another question: Would you please help me correct this exercise?
Rewrite the following sentences using an intensifier where appropriate.
1) There were many more … (so many more...)
(In what kind of sentence can this expression appear?)
2) She did it well. (very / so well)
(is there a difference in meaning between “very” and “so” here?)
3) I was disappointed because I had tried hard. (very / so hard ??)
(same question as above)
4) I can’t drink this coffee because it’s hot.
a) (very / too hot)
(is there a difference here between “very” and “too”?)
b) This coffee is so hot that I can’t drink it.
5) No one ever talks to him because he’s a rude man.
a) a very rude man
b) he is too rude a man
(what’s the difference between the 2 constructions?)
c) He’s such a rude man that no one ever talks to him.
Thank you very much for your help.
Best regards.
-
Hela
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 557
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2004 6:59 pm
Dear Allan,
Her is the second part of my question:
Rewrite the following sentences using an intensifier where appropriate.
1) The bus was crowded. (very / so crowded ?)
2) I can hardly hold my pen because my hands are cold.
a) (very cold) / (too cold ?)
b) My hands are so cold that I can hardly hold my pen.
3) Was it expensive to buy? (too / so / very expensive ?)
4) There were people there. (too / so many people)
5) It looks nice. (very / so nice ?)
6) It was good of you to help us. (so good of you ?)
Thank you very much for your help.
Best regards.
Her is the second part of my question:
Rewrite the following sentences using an intensifier where appropriate.
1) The bus was crowded. (very / so crowded ?)
2) I can hardly hold my pen because my hands are cold.
a) (very cold) / (too cold ?)
b) My hands are so cold that I can hardly hold my pen.
3) Was it expensive to buy? (too / so / very expensive ?)
4) There were people there. (too / so many people)
5) It looks nice. (very / so nice ?)
6) It was good of you to help us. (so good of you ?)
Thank you very much for your help.
Best regards.