Feelings & States — Collocations
Concern, gratitude, disappointment — feelings need exact intensifiers. · Pattern: Adverb + Adjective · Level B1
deeply concerned
Very worried about something serious.
Example: Doctors are deeply concerned about the outbreak.
⚠️ Not: “strongly concerned” — say “deeply concerned”.
deeply sorry
Very sorry, from the heart.
Example: I'm deeply sorry for your loss.
⚠️ Not: “very deeply sorry” — say “deeply sorry”.
deeply moved
Emotionally touched in a profound way.
Example: The audience was deeply moved by her story.
⚠️ Not: “strongly moved” — say “deeply moved”.
deeply grateful
Extremely thankful.
Example: We are deeply grateful for your support.
⚠️ Not: “very grateful (possible — deeply adds depth)” — say “deeply grateful”.
bitterly disappointed
Extremely disappointed, with pain or resentment.
Example: Fans were bitterly disappointed by the result.
⚠️ Not: “very bitter disappointed” — say “bitterly disappointed”.
painfully shy
So shy that it causes real discomfort.
Example: As a teen, he was painfully shy.
⚠️ Not: “strongly shy” — say “painfully shy”.
fully aware
Completely conscious of a fact or risk.
Example: She is fully aware of the dangers.
⚠️ Not: “completely aware (possible — fully is the classic partner)” — say “fully aware”.
wide awake
Fully awake, not sleepy at all.
Example: The baby was wide awake at 3 a.m.
⚠️ Not: “widely awake” — say “wide awake”.
sound asleep
Deeply and peacefully asleep.
Example: The kids were sound asleep by eight.
⚠️ Not: “deep asleep” — say “sound asleep”.
seriously injured
Badly hurt, in a serious condition.
Example: Two drivers were seriously injured in the crash.
⚠️ Not: “strongly injured” — say “seriously injured”.
Practice
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