very
/ˈveri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈveri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈver-ē ˈve-rē/ (ame, mw) · /ˈver.i/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈver.i/ (ame, ipa)
very — adverb
1. placed before a describing word — for example, an adjective or an adverb — to sh
placed before a describing word — for example, an adjective or an adverb — to show that a quality is present at a high level; for instance, calling a film very good means you think it is far better than most films.
The weather was very cold last winter in Sapporo.
very + adjective (cold)
Sivan speaks English very well after only two years of study.
That movie was very long, but nobody left the theater before the end.
Haruto runs very fast and won the school race last month.
Mizuki was very happy when she opened the gift from her grandmother.
- slightly
indicates a small degree, the opposite of a high degree
文法句型
very + adjective
very + adverb
常見錯誤
2. placed before a superlative word like 'best' or 'most', or before the words 'own
placed before a superlative word like 'best' or 'most', or before the words 'own' and 'same', to give them extra force — for example, saying 'the very best' is stronger than just 'the best'.
This is the very best cake I have ever tasted.
very + superlative (best)
Caleb made the very same mistake on his math test twice.
the very same + noun
The home team scored a goal at the very last minute of the match.
Élise adopted the puppy at the very first chance she got.
The children saved their money to buy their very own computer.
- absolutely
used with superlatives in a similar emphatic way, but slightly more formal
- by far
emphasizes the superlative by a large margin rather than adding force directly
文法句型
very + superlative adjective
the very same + noun
one's very own + noun
用法筆記
Only this sense of 'very' can appear before a superlative or before 'own' and 'same'. In other positions, the adverb sense 1 (TO A GREAT DEGREE) is used instead.
常見錯誤
very — adjective
- verypositive
- veriercomparative
- veriestsuperlative
1. used before a noun to stress that the person or thing you mention is exactly the
used before a noun to stress that the person or thing you mention is exactly the one you are thinking of, not any other — for example, when you say 'the very person I needed' you mean that person and no one else.
That is the very book I was searching for at the library yesterday.
the very + noun (book) = exactly that one
The very thought of flying on a plane makes Madison feel nervous.
Sahil is the very person we need to lead this project.
Antonia found the very dress she wanted at a small shop in Paris.
The very idea of moving to a new country excited the whole Okonkwo family.
- other
refers to a different one, opposite of 'exactly this one'
文法句型
the very + noun
this/that very + noun
用法筆記
This adjective sense always comes directly before the noun it modifies and is typically preceded by 'the', 'this', 'that', or a possessive like 'my' or 'her'.
常見錯誤
2. used before a noun that describes a spot in space or a moment in time to emphasi
used before a noun that describes a spot in space or a moment in time to emphasize that it is the most distant or extreme one — for example, 'the very top of the hill' means the absolute highest point, not just somewhere near the top.
The hotel sits at the very top of the mountain.
the very + position noun (top)
Selim stayed at the party until the very end.
The Watanabe family began their journey at the very start of spring.
Dario sat in the very back row of the classroom.
The rescue team found the hikers at the very bottom of the valley.
- near
close rather than far; 'the near side' versus 'the very far side'
文法句型
the very + position noun
the very + time noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from adjective sense 1 (EXACT OR PARTICULAR): sense 1 points to a specific identity ('the very person'), while sense 2 points to an extreme position in space or time ('the very end').