Grammar：Adverbs of completeness
【明報專訊】MoMo adopted a new puppy but she has a hard time training it. What can she do?
Dr Panda: Why do you look so frustrated, MoMo?
MoMo: (1) I tried to make my puppy eat out of a dish but he doesn't understand my command at all.
Dr Panda: How long have you been teaching him?
MoMo: About an hour. (2) I almost had his attention but he just ran away before I could tell him anything.
Dr Panda: Did you call his name before you talk to him?
MoMo: Oh! (3) I completely forgot about it! Thanks for the tip, Dr Panda.
Dr Panda: Don't mention it.
■English highway﹕Adverbs of completeness
Adverbs of completeness are adverbs that tell people how completely something happens or how much of it is true.
(see the table)
In descending degree of completeness：
absolutely/ completely/ entirely
↓
almost/ nearly
↓
quite
↓
enough
↓
partly/ rather
↓
more or less
↓
barely
↓
hardly
↓
scarcely
↓
not at all
e.g. The essay was barely finished. You should spend some time polishing it.
e.g. When I first visited Japan, I could hardly speak Japanese.
■Gear up
Put the adverb in the correct position.
1. I finish creating the presentation. (almost)
2. I like this laptop because it is very portable. (totally)
3. He looks like his father. (rather)
4. The teacher increased the difficulty of the test. (slightly)
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
adopt (v) 領養
frustrated (adj) 灰心的
command (n) 指令
laptop (n) 手提電腦
[Smarties' Power English 第293期]
