Some adjectives have a strong, formal adverb partner meaning completely: utterly convinced, fully aware, entirely different. Learn each pair as one unit.
Adverbs that mean "completely"
Not "We became strongly aware that the road was closed." — say "We became fully aware that the road was closed.". Aware takes fully (or well); "strongly aware" is not the natural pair.
Try it: Ethan: Did Camila plan around the deadline? Maya: Yes, she was ___ of it, so she planned accordingly. Choose the words for the blank. (fully aware / widely aware / strongly aware) Answer: fully aware — Fully aware is the fixed pair for complete awareness.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
utterly convinced
/ˈʌtərli kənˈvɪnst/
After reading the report, I'm utterly convinced that we chose the right supplier.
fully aware
/ˈfʊli əˈwɛr/
The committee was fully aware of the cost before they voted.
entirely different
/ɪnˈtaɪərli ˈdɪfrənt/
The second draft took an entirely different approach to the problem.
Adverbs for deep and extreme intensity
For depth and extremes, pair the adverb with its adjective: deeply rooted, extremely difficult, exceedingly rare, bitterly disappointed. With difficult, rare and disappointed, a plain very is correct but weaker.
Not "That habit is strongly rooted in town life." — say "That habit is deeply rooted in town life.". Rooted most naturally pairs with deeply or firmly.
Try it: Maya: Have you seen a stamp like this before? Farid: Never. A stamp like this is ___. Choose the words for the blank. (exceedingly rare / widely rare / deeply rare) Answer: exceedingly rare — Exceedingly rare is the fixed pair for something extremely uncommon.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
deeply rooted
/ˈdipli ˈrutɪd/
These attitudes are deeply rooted in the region's history.
extremely difficult
/ɪkˈstrimli ˈdɪfɪkəlt/
Balancing the budget without cuts proved extremely difficult.
exceedingly rare
/ɪkˈsidɪŋli ˈrɛr/
Hand-written letters from this era are exceedingly rare.
bitterly disappointed
/ˈbɪtərli ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪd/
The fans were bitterly disappointed when the final was called off.
Adverbs that push the degree high
Highly places an adjective high on a scale: highly contentious. Overwhelmingly means one side is so large the other barely counts: overwhelmingly positive.
Not "The proposal was readily contentious." — say "The proposal was highly contentious.". Highly is the fixed partner of contentious; "readily" measures effort, not degree.
Try it: Ira: Ninety-eight percent of readers rated the new service well. Liam: So readers gave ___ feedback. Choose the words for the blank. (overwhelmingly positive / deeply positive / utterly positive) Answer: overwhelmingly positive — Overwhelmingly says one side is so large the other barely counts, as ninety-eight percent does.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
highly contentious
/ˈhaɪli kənˈtɛnʃəs/
Building over part of Senville Park became a highly contentious issue at the council meeting.
overwhelmingly positive
/ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmɪŋli ˈpɑzətɪv/
Feedback on the redesigned Magaff Library was overwhelmingly positive.
How many people, or how little effort
Widely answers how many people: widely acknowledged. Readily answers how little effort: readily available. Swapping them changes the meaning.
Not "The findings are readily acknowledged across the field." — say "The findings are widely acknowledged across the field.". Widely counts people; readily measures effort.
Try it: Sofia: Can I get the permit forms? Lars: Yes, you can download them in seconds. They're ___. Choose the words for the blank. (readily available / strongly available / fully available) Answer: readily available — Readily means with little effort, which fits a download that takes seconds.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
widely acknowledged
/ˈwaɪdli əkˈnɑlɪdʒd/
It is widely acknowledged that the early results were misread.
readily available
/ˈrɛdəli əˈveɪləbəl/
Free maps are readily available at the Senville Park visitor office.
What are the common mistakes?
Incorrect
Correct
Why
We became strongly aware that the road was closed.
We became fully aware that the road was closed.
Aware takes fully (or well); "strongly aware" is not the natural pair.
That habit is strongly rooted in town life.
That habit is deeply rooted in town life.
Rooted most naturally pairs with deeply or firmly.
The proposal was readily contentious.
The proposal was highly contentious.
Highly is the fixed partner of contentious; "readily" measures effort, not degree.
The findings are readily acknowledged across the field.
The findings are widely acknowledged across the field.