- used before adjectives, adverbs and determiners to mean ‘in a high degree’ or ‘extremely’
- Very few people know that.
- We have very little information at present on the incident.
- Thanks very much.
- I'm not very (= not at all) impressed.
- I'm very very grateful.
- Things could have been so very different.
- Australia has a very good reputation for producing high-quality grain.
- This is a very important part of our marketing.
- very small
- very quickly
- ‘Do you like it?’ ‘Yeah, I do. Very much.’
- ‘Is it what you expected?’ ‘Oh yes, very much so.’
- My children are still very young.
- ‘Are you busy?’ ‘Not very.’
- The new building has been very much admired.
- very hard/difficult
- very popular/happy/successful
- These results are very worrying.
- We were obviously very pleased with the outcome.
- I find the film very upsetting to watch.
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- used to emphasize a superlative adjective or before own
- They wanted the very best quality.
- Be there by six at the very latest.
- At last he had his very own car (= belonging to him and to nobody else).
- It's the very worst time to be trying to sell your house.
Grammar Point very / very muchvery / very much- Very is used with adjectives, past participles used as adjectives, and adverbs:
- I am very hungry.
- I was very pleased to get your letter.
- You played very well.
- I’m very much afraid that your son may be involved in the crime.
- Very is not used with past participles that have a passive meaning. Much, very much or greatly (formal) are usually used instead:
- Your help was very much appreciated.
- He was much loved by everyone.
- She was greatly admired.
- Very is used to emphasize superlative adjectives:
- my very best work
- the very youngest children.
- Your work is very much better.
- much younger children
- Very is not used with adjectives and adverbs that already have an extreme meaning. You are more likely to use an adverb such as absolutely, completely, etc:
- She was absolutely furious.
- I’m completely exhausted.
- You played really brilliantly.
- Very is not used with verbs. Use very much instead:
- We enjoyed staying with you very much.
- the very same exactly the same
- Mario said the very same thing.
Word OriginMiddle English (as an adjective in the sense ‘real, genuine’): from Old French verai, based on Latin verus ‘true’.
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