adjective
intensive
Adding emphasis to meaning in grammar.
The teacher explains the intensive use of absolutely in the phrase.
Etymology
The Latin verb means to stretch or direct strongly. A grammatical intensive strengthens the force of an expression, figuratively increasing its tension or emphasis.
More examples
- The sentence contained an intensive expression.
- They compared ordinary and intensive meanings.
- The word served an intensive function.
Forms
intensive
Similar words
- emphatic
- Emphasizes forceful expression rather than a grammatical function.
- strengthening
- A plain descriptive term rather than a grammatical label.