ever so

Thân thiện

She was ever so happy to receive the gift.

Definition

Adverb: - To a very great degree; very: Used as an intensifier before adjectives to emphasize the described quality. It is an informal, emphatic expression meaning "very" or "extremely."

Usage

• Position: "Ever so" is always placed directly before an adjective (e.g., , ). It cannot be used before a verb or adverb derived from an adjective (e.g., you cannot say "He ran ever so").
• Register: The phrase is common in informal, conversational British English. It conveys a sense of warmth, emphasis, or slight exaggeration.

Examples

• Before an adjective:
  • Thank you, that was ever so kind of you.
  • The children were ever so quiet while you were sleeping.
  • It's ever so cold outside today.

Advanced Usage

• "Ever so" + Adjective + "that" clause: The intensity described by "ever so" can be linked to a result.
  • The music was ever so loud that we couldn't hear ourselves think.
• "Ever so" with comparative forms: While less common, it can informally intensify comparatives.
  • She felt ever so much better after a good night's sleep.

Variants and Related Words

• Ever such a: An informal variant used before a noun phrase with an adjective.
  • He's ever such a nice man. (He is a very nice man.)
• So ever: This is not a standard variant. The correct fixed phrase is "ever so."

Synonyms

• Very: The most direct and neutral synonym.
• Extremely: Suggests a degree at the far end of a scale.
• Exceptionally: Implies standing out from the norm.
• Tremendously: An informal intensifier suggesting great size or degree.
• Awfully / Terribly: Informal intensifiers, similar in conversational use to "ever so."

Notes on Meaning

• Emphatic Function: The core meaning of "ever so" is not to add new information but to strengthen the force of the adjective it modifies. Its primary role is emphasis.
• Politeness/Softening: It can sometimes soften a request or statement, making it sound less blunt.
  • Could you close the door? It's ever so drafty in here.

Học thuật

Adverb

1. (intensifier for adjectives) very
   • she was ever so friendly

Từ đồng nghĩa

• ever