Grammar Puzzles Solved (11): Is it grammatically correct to say “I’m really worried” instead of “I’m worried very much”?
1. “I’m
really worried” vs “I’m worried very much”
- Structure: “I’m”
(subject + verb) + “really” (adverb) + “worried”
(adjective) - Explanation:
- “Really” is an adverb
that intensifies the adjective “worried.” It’s a common way to
emphasize or strengthen the feeling of being worried, making the phrase
more natural and conversational. - Adverbs like
“really,” “very,” “extremely,” and
“so” are often used in this structure to intensify emotions or
states described by adjectives. - Examples:
- Structure: “I’m”
(subject + verb) + “worried” (adjective) + “very much”
(adverbial phrase) - Explanation:
- “Very much” is also
an adverbial phrase that emphasizes the degree of worry. However, this
structure sounds more formal and less natural for everyday conversation. - In English, the placement of
adverbs and adverbial phrases can affect the fluency and flow of a
sentence. “Very much” often sounds a bit clunky compared to
more commonly used adverbs like “really.” - Examples:
2. Comparing
the Usage of Adverbs and Adverbial Phrases
Here are
some additional examples comparing both structures:
- Adverb:
- “I am extremely grateful
for your help.” - “She was quite surprised
by the news.” - “They were really happy
with the outcome.” - Adverbial Phrase:
- Use “really” or other
strong adverbs: In informal or everyday conversation, adverbs like
“really,” “so,” “extremely,” and
“quite” are more natural and commonly used to intensify
adjectives. - Use “very much”: This
is more formal and often used in written language or when you want to add
extra emphasis, especially in certain set phrases like “I love you
very much,” or “I appreciate it very much.”
