What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
desperately
Example
She desperately needed a job to pay her bills. [desperately: adverb]
Example
The family was desperately searching for their lost dog. [desperately: adverb]
intensely
Example
He felt intensely happy when he saw his family after a long time. [intensely: adverb]
Example
She was working intensely on her project to meet the deadline. [intensely: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Intensely is more commonly used than desperately in everyday language. Intensely is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while desperately is less common and is typically used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between desperately and intensely?
Both desperately and intensely are considered formal words and are appropriate for use in both formal and informal contexts.
