very

Used before a describing word to make its meaning stronger.

• The water is very cold.
• She spoke very slowly.
• Were you very tired after the journey?

How to use it: very + adjective/adverb (The children played very quietly.)

Similar words: really, extremely

Common phrases: very good, very tired, very quickly

Used to stress that something is the best, worst, first, or another extreme.

• This is the very best cake.
• She caught the very last train.
• He was the very youngest person on the team.

How to use it: the very + superlative/first/last (They gave us the very best room.)

Similar words: absolutely

Common phrases: the very best, the very first, the very least

Used before a name or noun to say something strongly shows that person's or thing's typical qualities.

• That hat is very you.
• The dry humor felt very British.
• Her new apartment is very New York.

How to use it: very + pronoun/name/noun used descriptively (That bright scarf is very you.)

Similar words: typically, characteristically

Common phrases: very you, very british, very london

The exact person or thing being discussed, rather than another similar one.

• We met in this very room.
• She is the very person I wanted to see.
• They returned to the very same hotel.

How to use it: the very + noun (This is the very desk my grandfather used.)

Similar words: exact, same, actual

Common phrases: the very same, the very person, the very place, the very one

Used to stress that simply thinking about or mentioning something is enough to cause a reaction.

• The very idea made me laugh.
• The very sight of blood frightened her.
• His face brightened at the very mention of home.

How to use it: the very + noun + of something (The very thought of flying makes him nervous.)

Similar words: mere

Common phrases: the very idea, the very thought, the very mention