How to Use VERY as an Adjective [Use VERY for Emphasis] | What Does 'The Very Beginning' Mean?

Use of VERY as an Adjective

We all know that the word 'Very' is normally used as an Adverb to give emphasis to an adjective or adverb. As an Adverb, the word 'Very' means 'To a great degree'.

For example, 

1) He is a very good boy. | The boy walks very quickly. | 2) The point is very interesting. | 3) He drives very fast/slowly.

But, in Advanced English Writing and Speaking, the word 'Very' can also be used as an Adjective [Only before a Noun for emphasis].

Let's Understand this by taking an example:

We can simply say, 'This is the beginning of the show'. And, if we want to emphasize the noun 'beginning', we can use 'Very' before it like this: This is the very beginning of the show.

Or,

You can simply say, 'Tom did the opposite of what people had expected from him'. And, if you want to emphasize the noun 'opposite', you can put the word 'Very' before the noun 'opposite' like this: 'Tom did the very opposite of what people had expected from him'.

As an Adjective, the word 'Very' can be used in the following ways:

A) We can use 'Very' to emphasize an extreme place or time, for example at the top or end of something [Meaning Complete, absolute, etc.]

Example Sentences,

1) There is a bird sitting at the very top of the tree.

2) This is the very beginning of the show.

3) We worked till the very end of the day.

4) Tom is sitting at the very back of the bus.

5) It happens at the very beginning of the book.

6) It happened at the very end of the party. | We stayed there till the very end of the party.

7) He told me the wrong. He told me the very opposite of the truth. He told me the very opposite of what exactly had happened.

8) From the very beginning he handled/managed everything very nicely.

* We can use 'very' with certain nouns in order to specify an extreme position or extreme point in time [For emphasis].

For example, I found my lost ring at the very back of the yard. | He was honest from the very starting days of his career.

B) Used to emphasize that you are talking about a particular thing or person and not about another. [Here 'Very' is used in the sense of Actual, Exact, Precise, Same, etc.]

Example Sentences,

1) Those were her very words.

2) He might be calling her at this very moment.

3) That's the very book I'm searching for | That's the very thing I need.

4) This is the very school where I got my primary education.

5) This is the very person who can help you in this situation.

* You can use 'Very' with nouns to emphasize that something is exactly the right one or exactly the same one.

For example, Everybody says he is the very man for the case. | She died in this very house.

C) The word 'Very' is also used to emphasize a Noun. [Synonym: Mere]

Example Sentences,

1) The very thought of a drink made him feel sick.

2) "I can't do that!" she gasped, shocked at the very idea.

D) Used for emphasizing that someone or something is the best or most suitable or appropriate.

For example, You might be the very person we are looking for for this post.

E) You can use very with nouns to emphasize the importance or seriousness of what you are saying. 

For example, 'This act undermines the very basis of our democracy'. | 'History is taking place before your very eyes'. This fact tells us or unveils the very truth of the incident.