Degree Adverbs 比较, 挺, 特别, 更, 越, 极
Say how strong a quality is, from 有些 and 比较 to 挺, 特别 and 极, and compare with 更, 还 and 越来越.
Pattern
degree adverb + adjective (比较冷, 挺好的, 特别喜欢); adjective + 极了; A 比 B 更/还 + adjective; 越来越 + adjective
Only 更 and 还 can sit inside a 比 comparison; 很, 挺 and 特别 cannot.
这家店的面条挺好吃的。
When to use Degree Adverbs 比较, 挺, 特别, 更, 越, 极
Degree adverbs go right before an adjective or a feeling verb such as 喜欢 and tell you how strong it is. From mild to strong: 有些 “a bit” and 比较 “fairly”, 挺 “quite” (spoken, often 挺…的), 特别 “especially, really”, and 极 “extremely”, which in speech usually comes after the adjective as 好极了. 比较 on its own does not compare two things: 今天比较冷 just means “it’s fairly cold today”.
今天比较冷，多穿点儿。
It’s fairly cold today; put on more layers.
我特别喜欢夏天。
I really love summer.
这个主意好极了！
That’s a brilliant idea!
他的汉语越来越好了。
His Chinese is getting better and better.
Common traps
- Say 今天比昨天更冷, not 今天比昨天很冷: inside a 比 sentence only 更 or 还 can go before the adjective.
- Say 越来越好, not 越来越很好: don’t put another degree adverb after 越来越.
- 极了 goes after the adjective: say 好极了, not 极了好.
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