Question about very

Question

Hi! I have a question about using very to emphasise a sentence. For instance this one:

That's the same book I'm reading.

Can I say this? That's the very same book I'm reading. If I use 'very' can I elide the 'same'? That's the very book I'm reading.

Thanks

You don't have to use "same" in this context, unless you want to. - rac1, Oct 29, 2015

See my comment under lingen's answer. - Jubilado, Oct 30, 2015

Answer 1

Yes, both constructions are valid in English.

Answer 2

First let me say for a beginning English speaker, you do very well!

Now for very.

You could use it. It's correct, ( Dictionary.com ) but it might sound awkward and a little archaic to native English speakers, at least in the U.S.

Very has become somewhat of a "booster" word. For instance, not just well but very well. The same (very same ) with very good, very long, and very same.

I like you answer hence the vote, but I disagree that "That's the very book I'm reading" sounds archaic. Of course at my age, speech patterns I started with may be becoming archaic! - Jubilado, Oct 30, 2015

I would say the same, but was accused of using archaic language myself the other day. - bosquederoble, Oct 30, 2015

Bosque, realizing that time and change are inevitable, I still think that there is a "dumbing down" of our language taking place. - Jubilado, Oct 30, 2015

I agree with you all. It's a shame so much language is being lost and "dumbed down," but essentially language is communication and you have to communicate in a way that the majority understands. - linjen, Nov 10, 2015