Что такое “very” ? Казалось бы, ответ очевиден: “very” – это по-английски «очень». И только постигая нюансы, начинаешь понимать, что не очень-то оно «очень»!
Студент, посещающий очные или онлайн курсы разговорного английского языка знает о чём нужно помнить, используя или слыша “very”:
- Не ставьте “very” с глаголами. Это наречие сочетается с другими наречиями, с прилагательными, но не с глаголами. Такие сочетания Very like, very want, very agree, very hate, very need не употребляются!
- Very best? Да! Это не ошибка. Превосходная степень прилагательных усиливается наречием very! Очень лучший? Конечно же, нет! Самый лучший, наилучший. Опять же, кто вам сказал, что very – это только «очень»? Вы уже на втором пункте убеждаетесь, что это не так.
- very end, very start, very eyes, very heart - вот вам ещё very в значении «самый». Самый конец, самое начало, перед самыми глазами, в самом сердце. Very own – свой собственный. Very same – вот именно о том же самом. Но вот что значит «very much so»? Это означает «конечно, да», «разумеется», «это точно», «ясен пень», «само собой». Дословно «Очень даже так».
- It means so very much to me. Это вот так много значит для меня! Как вам такая фразочка? Не совсем по-русски? А то! Да, в английском сочетание “so very” вполне обычно. So very nice, so very hard. It’s so very hard to do. – Это так сложно сделать. Это такое тяжёлое дело. To do в конце? Тоже нормально.
- Не злоупотребляйте этим словом. В английском языке предостаточно слов для выражения степени: это и упомянутое выше really, также rather, quite, pretty (наречие «довольно»), astonishingly, absolutely, surprisingly, incredibly, dramatically, way too, far too, completely, so, such, much more, enough.
Можно сказать в конце “very much” или использовать “really”.
I really like talking to you.
I like talking to you very much.
Помните, что слово very не употребляется с прилагательными, которые уже имеют экстремальное, крайнее значение, то есть можно сказать very cold, но не very freezing.
Употребление ярких и сильных синонимов поможет вам избежать чрезмерного употребления слова very. Вместо very important говорите crucial, vital, essential. Речь будет богаче. Давайте рассмотрим ещё несколько примеров этих замечательных альтернатив!
- very accurate: precise, exact, unimpeachable, perfect, flawless
- very aggressive: forceful, overconfident, insistent, hardline
- very amazed: astounded, flabbergasted, astonished, shocked
- very angry: furious, irate, enraged, incensed, fuming, livid
- very anxious: dismayed, apprehensive, restless, fretful
- very aware: conscious, savvy, apprised, mindful, cognizant
- very bad: awful, deplorable, appalling, rotten, miserable
- very basic: rudimentary, primary, fundamental, simple
- very beautiful: gorgeous, stunning, exquisite, magnificent
- very bloody: gory, brutal, barbarous, savage, murderous
- very bony: skeletal, angular, spindly, gaunt, emaciated
- very boring: tedious, dreary, uninteresting, mind-numbing
- very bright: brilliant, dazzling, radiant, blinding, intense
- very capable: efficient, competent, adept, proficient, skillful
- very careful: meticulous, fastidious, precise, scrupulous
- very caring: compassionate, kind, attentive, sympathetic
- very civil: polite, courteous, respectful, cultured, mannerly
- very clean: spotless, immaculate, stainless, shining, hygienic
- very clear: transparent, sheer, translucent, glassy, crystal
- very clever: astute, brilliant, shrewd, ingenious, crafty, sharp
- very cold: frigid, bitter, icy, freezing, glacial, frosty, polar
- very colorful: vibrant, vivid, kaleidoscopic, variegated, vivid
- very competitive: ambitious, driven, cutthroat, bloodthirsty
- very concerned : worried, troubled, upset, distressed, agitated
- very confident: poised, cool, self-assured, self-reliant, secure
- very confused: baffled, befuddled, mystified, clueless, dazed
- very conscious: deliberate, intentional, premeditated, willful
- very consistent: constant, unfailing, uniform, harmonious, same
- very contrary: belligerent, argumentative, confrontational
- very conventional: conservative, common, predictable, unoriginal
- very corrupt: fraudulent, crooked, unethical, dishonest, rotten
- very creamy: velvety, buttery, rich, smooth, milky, greasy
- very creepy: unnerving, skin-crawling, spooky, sinister, weird
- very critical: vital, crucial, essential, indispensable, integral
- very crunchy: crispy, brittle, crackling, gravelly, crusty, gritty
- very curious: inquisitive, nosy, prying, snoopy, quizzical
- very cute: adorable, endearing, delightful, pretty, charming
- very dangerous: perilous, precarious, unsafe, treacherous, dicey
- very dark: black, inky, ebony, sooty, lightless, starless, unlit
- very decent: civilized, upright, courteous, respectable, noble
- very deep: abysmal, bottomless, cavernous, yawning, vast
- very deformed: twisted, contorted, misshapen, mutilated
- very delicate: subtle, slight, fragile, frail, flimsy, insubstantial
- very desperate: frantic, fraught, grave, serious, hopeless, dire
- very determined: resolute, adamant, obstinate, tenacious, dogged
- very different: unusual, distinctive, atypical, dissimilar, unlike
- very difficult: complicated, complex, demanding, arduous
- very dirty: filthy, foul, grimy, polluted, squalid, dilapidated
- very disagreeable: contrary, obnoxious, offensive, repugnant, rude
- very dismal: miserable, cheerless, depressing, morbid
- very distinct: clear, definite, patent, evident, apparent
- very dramatic: theatrical, histrionic, melodramatic, vivid
- very dry: arid, parched, sere, dehydrated, withered
- very dubious: suspicious, skeptical, cynical, unconvinced
- very eager: impatient, ardent, fervent, keen, earnest
- very easy: effortless, uncomplicated, unchallenging, simple
- very educational: enlightening, edifying, informative, revealing
- very efficient: competent, proficient, resourceful, able
- very embarrassed: mortified, humiliated, discomfited, ashamed
- very emotional: demonstrative, sensitive, temperamental
- very enthusiastic: zealous, eager, fervent, vehement, ebullient
- very exciting: exhilarating, electrifying, thrilling, breathtaking
- very expensive: costly, exorbitant, overpriced, extravagant
- very fair: equitable, impartial, neutral, nonpartisan
- very faithful: loyal, devoted, staunch, unwavering, stalwart
- very familiar: common, established, typical, traditional
- very famous: renowned, eminent, legendary, celebrated
- very far: distant, remote, isolated, secluded, extrasolar
- very fast: rapid, swift, fleet, blistering, supersonic
- very fat : obese, corpulent, rotund, blubbery, round
- very fertile: prolific, productive, fruitful, rich, lush, fecund
- very few: meager, scarce, scant, limited, negligible
- very fierce: vicious, ferocious, savage, keen, intense, feral
- very firm: solid, hard, rigid, set, frozen, unyielding
- very fizzy: effervescent, frothy, foamy, sudsy
- very fluffy: downy, fuzzy, fleecy, feathery, cottony
- very fond: devoted, attentive, enamored, doting
- very fragile: tenuous, unstable, precarious, frail, delicate
- very friendly: gregarious, outgoing, chummy, demonstrative
- very frustrating : exasperating, infuriating, disheartening, vexing
- very full: overflowing, bursting, crammed, packed, sated
- very funny: hilarious, hysterical, sidesplitting, rollicking
- very good: superb, superior, excellent, outstanding
- very gracefull: flowing, supple, lithe, willowy, lissome
- very greedy: gluttonous, avaricious, materialistic, insatiable
- very hairy: hirsute, shaggy, furry, bushy, unshaven
- very happy: ecstatic, overjoyed, euphoric, blissful, elated
- very hard: inflexible, stony, steely, unyielding, tough, rigid
- very healthy: hale, hardy, flourishing, fit, robust, vigorous
- very heavy: leaden, ponderous, weighty, dense, hefty
- very helpful: supportive, obliging, accommodating, invaluable
- very honest: candid, sincere, authentic, forthright, frank
- very hot: burning, scalding, blistering, scorching, searing
- very hungry: starving, famished, ravenous, hollow, voracious
- very ill: infirm, bedridden, frail, terminal, incurable
- very immature: childish, infantile, naive, jejune, callow, green
- very immoral: depraved, decadent, debauched, iniquitous
- very important: crucial, vital, essential, paramount, imperative
- very impressive : extraordinary, remarkable, awe-inspiring
- very inebriated: intoxicated, drunk, soused, smashed, plastered
- very informal: casual, unceremonious, easygoing, simple
- very intelligent: brainy, clever, bright, gifted, intellectual, astute
- very intense: severe, extreme, fierce, overpowering, acute
- very interesting: fascinating, remarkable, riveting, compelling
- very jealous: envious, resentful, grudging, green, bitter
- very juicy: succulent, moist, ripe, luscious, fleshy, syrupy
- very large: huge, humongous, mammoth, gargantuan
- very lavish: excessive, opulent, posh, luxurious, sumptuous
- very light: buoyant, insubstantial, weightless, airy, ethereal
- very likely: expected, imminent, probable, unavoidable
- very lively: energetic, vivacious, exuberant, spirited
- very logical: rational, cogent, credible, consistent, sound
- very lonely: isolated, deserted, forlorn, solitary, abandoned
- very long: extended, extensive, interminable, protracted
- very loud: deafening, thunderous, booming, blaring
- very loved: adored, precious, cherished, revered, beloved
- very lucky: charmed, blessed, favored, fortunate, fluky
- very moody: morose, temperamental, unstable, changeable
- very much: plenty, oceans, heaps, scads, oodles, loads
- very much so: of course, okay, yes, absolutely, precisely
- very musical: melodic, melodious, harmonious, dulcet
- very near: handy, close-by, alongside, convenient, nearby
- very neat: orderly, tidy, uncluttered, immaculate, spotless
- very negative: pessimistic, defeatist, cynical, critical, fatalistic
- very new: novel, innovative, fresh, original, cutting-edge
- very nice: enjoyable, pleasant, agreeable, satisfying
- very numerous: abundant, copious, myriad, profuse
- very obvious: apparent, clear, evident, plain, visible
- very occasionally: seldom, rarely, infrequently, sporadically
- very old: grizzled, aged, hoary, ancient, grey, decrepit
- very opinionated: dogmatic, cocksure, biased, partisan
- very optimistic: enthusiastic, buoyant, encouraged, positive
- very painful: excruciating, agonizing, searing, unbearable
- very pale: white, pallid, ashen, sallow, colorless, pasty
- very persuasive: convincing, believable, compelling, charming
- very pleasant: satisfying, fulfilling, rewarding, gratifying
- very poor: destitute, indigent, penniless, impoverished
- very popular: trendy, fashionable, admired, prevalent
- very positive: optimistic, upbeat, affirmative, constructive
- very practical: realistic, sensible, functional, doable, viable
- very presentable: shipshape, well-groomed, tidy, personable
- very pure: unadulterated, wholesome, pristine, clean
- very quiet: noiseless, silent, still, hushed, soundless
- very rare: scarce, sparse, unique, exceptional, peerless
- very realistic: genuine, credible, authentic, rational, true
- very reasonable: equitable, judicious, sensible, practical, fair
- very recent: the latest, current, fresh, up-to-date
- very relevant: germane, pertinent, appropriate, significant
- very religious: spiritual, devout, pious, fervent, dedicated
- very responsible: dependable, conscientious, reliable, steadfast
- very risky: perilous, hazardous, treacherous, precarious
- very roomy: spacious, expansive, vast, palatial, commodious
- very rough: coarse, jagged, rugged, craggy, gritty, broken
- very rowdy: boisterous, disorderly, raucous, unruly, wild
- very rude: vulgar, insolent, offensive, derogatory, boorish
- very sad: desolate, disconsolate, wretched, dejected
- very safe: harmless, benign, secure, protected, sheltered
- very same: identical, matching, indistinguishable, exact
- very sassy: impertinent, cheeky, insolent, disrespectful
- very scared: terrified, petrified, terror-stricken, panicked
- very serious: solemn, somber, stern, dour, melancholy, grim
- very severe: acute, grave, critical, serious, brutal, relentless
- very shaky: tremulous, quaking, vibrating, unsteady
- very short: stubby, squat, dwarf, diminutive, petite
- very shy: timid, backward, introverted, withdrawn
- very significant: key, noteworthy, momentous, major, vital
- very silky: sleek, smooth, satiny, glossy, lustrous, shiny
- very similar: alike, akin, analogous, comparable, equivalent
- very simple: easy, straightforward, effortless, uncomplicated
- very slow: sluggish, sedate, plodding, creeping, snail-like
- very small: tiny, miniscule, infinitesimal, microscopic, wee
- very smooth: flat, glassy, polished, level, even, unblemished
- very soft: malleable, yielding, spongy, muted, doughy
- very sorry: remorseful, repentant, penitent, contrite
- very sour: acerbic, tart, vinegary, biting, harsh, caustic
- very specific: precise, exact, explicit, definite, unambiguous
- very stinky: putrid, fetid, rank, rancid, putrescent, noxious
- very strange: weird, eerie, bizarre, uncanny, peculiar, odd
- very strict: stern, austere, severe, rigorous, harsh, rigid
- very strong: muscular, brawny, rugged, powerful, tough
- very stupid: idiotic, dense, vacuous, ridiculous, inane
- very substantial : considerable, significant, extensive, ample
- very successful: lucrative, productive, thriving, prosperous
- very sudden: unexpected, abrupt, precipitous, unforeseen
- very suitable: appropriate, fitting, seemly, proper, correct
- very sure: positive, persuaded, certain, convinced, absolute
- very suspicious: skeptical, distrustful, wary, guarded, leery
- very sweet: syrupy, sugary, honeyed, cloying, candied
- very tactile: touchable, palpable, physical, perceptible
- very tall: towering, lofty, multistory, soaring, statuesque
- very tame: docile, submissive, meek, compliant, subdued
- very tasty: delectable, mouthwatering, scrumptious, divine
- very tempting: irresistible, enticing, tantalizing, alluring
- very tense: overwrought, rigid, taut, strained, agitated
- very terrible: dreadful, horrendous, horrific, shocking
- very thin: gaunt, scrawny, emaciated, haggard, skeletal
- very tired: exhausted, spent, frazzled, bushed, drained
- very traditional: conventional, established, customary, habitual
- very treacherous: traitorous, disloyal, unfaithful, perfidious
- very ugly: hideous, revolting, repugnant, grotesque
- very unfair: unjust, bigoted, prejudiced, inequitable
- very unlikely: improbable, implausible, doubtful, dubious
- very unusual: abnormal, extraordinary, uncommon, unique
- very useful: expedient, effective, nifty, handy, valuable
- very valuable: precious, priceless, treasured, inestimable
- very violent: abusive, savage, barbarous, cutthroat, cruel
- very visible: conspicuous, exposed, obvious, prominent
- very warm: stifling, hot, sultry, sweltering, oppressive
- very wary: skeptical, suspicious, leery, vigilant, distrustful
- very weak: feeble, frail, delicate, debilitated, fragile, sickly
- very well: superb, fine, fabulous, all right, okay, good
- very wet: saturated, soaked, waterlogged, sopping
- very wicked: evil, sinful, villainous, nefarious, fiendish
- very wide: vast, expansive, sweeping, boundless, distended
- very widespread: extensive, pervasive, prevalent, rampant
- very wild: untamed, feral, unmanageable, uncontrollable
- very windy: roaring, blustery, turbulent, howling, wild
- very wise: sagacious, sage, astute, enlightened, shrewd
- very worried: distressed, distraught, overwrought, upset
- very young: undeveloped, fledgling, immature, budding
- very zealous: driven, ambitious, motivated, passionate
