If you're preparing for the TOEFL exam, one of the most overlooked tips is this: Avoid degree adverbs. These are words like very, really, and too that attempt to intensify meaning—but usually weaken your language instead.
Using more precise, content-rich vocabulary is a proven way to increase your score in both the TOEFL Speaking and TOEFL Writing sections.
What Are Degree Adverbs?
Degree adverbs are used to intensify or soften adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs. Here’s an extensive list of common ones you should avoid in formal academic communication:
-
Very
-
Really
-
Too
-
Incredibly
-
Extremely
-
So
-
Quite
-
Rather
-
Fairly
-
Absolutely
-
Totally
-
Completely
-
Deeply
-
Pretty (as in “pretty good”)
-
Utterly
-
Strongly
-
Severely
-
Hugely
-
Barely
-
Slightly
These words can make your speech or writing sound emotional or imprecise—two things that TOEFL raters are trained to spot and score down.
Why You Should Avoid Degree Adverbs
In TOEFL Speaking and Writing tasks, especially those like the Integrated Writing Task and Writing for an Online Academic Discussion, vague or exaggerated language can hurt your clarity, academic tone, and vocabulary score.
Instead of saying:
"The lecture was very interesting."
Try:
"The lecture was engaging and offered unique insights."
Or in writing:
"I completely agree with the professor."
Instead, write:
"I support the professor’s position because it aligns with key principles in cognitive psychology."
This is clearer, more academic, and more precise.
Use Regular Adverbs Instead
Regular adverbs add meaning without relying on emotion or exaggeration. They describe how, when, where, and to what extent something happens—but with better control.
Here are examples of effective regular adverbs:
-
Clearly
-
Effectively
-
Significantly
-
Specifically
-
Directly
-
Gradually
-
Professionally
-
Consistently
-
Efficiently
-
Critically
Example for TOEFL Speaking:
“The speaker clearly outlines the advantages of remote learning, such as accessibility and flexibility.”
Example for TOEFL Writing (Academic Discussion):
“While Amina supports the reading, she critically examines its limited scope by citing recent studies.”
These adverbs help demonstrate strong command of academic English—exactly what TOEFL raters are looking for.
Practice Tip: Record and Replace
When practicing your Speaking Task responses, record yourself and listen for degree adverbs. Write them down, then replace them with stronger synonyms or restructure the sentence. This will make your delivery more polished and your word choice more advanced.
For Writing Tasks, use a highlighter to mark all degree adverbs, and try revising them into clearer academic expressions.
Internal and External Resources
Want to learn more about improving academic word choice? Here are two excellent articles:
You can also explore my blog’s post on TOEFL Academic Words for high-frequency vocabulary you should use instead of vague intensifiers.
Get Feedback That Helps You Improve Fast
Avoiding degree adverbs is just one part of raising your TOEFL score. If you want detailed feedback on how to improve your Speaking and Writing responses, check out my affordable monthly feedback service at bettertoeflscores.com.
You’ll receive actionable, personalized comments to help you speak and write with the kind of academic English that earns high scores.