Module 2: Evidence > Unit 4: Reporting evidence > Strategy 2: Using intensifiers and limiters

You can increase or decrease the degree of endorsement or distance from perspectives or information presented in a source by using words and phrases which intensify or limit the impact of other grammatical elements; usually verbs or nouns.

Words that intensify or limit the impact of verbs are usually adverbs.

Words that intensify or limit the impact of nouns are usually adjectives.

Intensifiers

Intensifiers increase the impact of a verb or noun and are usually adverbs or adjectives.

Some common intensifiers:

clearly, strongly, significantly, substantial, widely, unambiguous, generally, complete, essentially, primary, conclusive, unanimously.

 Intensifiers which strengthen a verb are usually placed directly before the verb for maximum impact. They can also be placed directly after the verb, but some of the impact may be lost.

Examples:

This clearly supports the hypothesis that learning foreign languages helps children understand the grammar of their own language.

This supports clearly the hypothesis that learning foreign languages helps children understand the grammar of their own language.

Limiters

Limiters, also referred to as 'qualifiers', are terms which lessen or circumscribe the impact of a verb, noun or adjective. They make the impact of these grammatical elements weaker by restricting their scope. Limiters are usually adverbs or prepositional phrases. In some cases, they may be adjectives.

Some common limiters:

to some degree, to a certain extent, to a limited extent, in a restricted way, somewhat, potentially, fairly, rather, quite.

Limiters can be placed either directly before or directly after the verb. They may also be placed elsewhere in a sentence, often at the beginning or end.

Example:

To a certain extent, these findings support the conclusions drawn by earlier researchers.

These findings support, to a certain extent, the conclusions drawn by earlier researchers.

The limiter appears at the beginning of the sentence, or immediately after the verb in the middle of the sentence.

Intensifiers which strengthen a noun are always placed directly before the noun.

Example:

This research provides clear support for the hypothesis that learning foreign languages helps children understand the grammar of their own language.