What is an intensifier?

Definition
	An intensifier heightens or lowers the intensity of meaning of an item.

Examples (English)
	In traditional English grammar, intensifiers are considered adverbs.
	Here are some examples of intensifiers:
	very good hardly to the point

Source
	Crystal 1980 188

See also
	What is an adverb? (Linguistics)

Context for this page:

Concept module: intensifier
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): I
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 18 September 1998

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