Nuance and understatement

Say exactly how much you mean, and hear what others really mean. Lesson 53 of 58: Mastery, CEFR C2.

Degrees

Native speakers grade almost everything. Quite, fairly, rather and pretty sit between “not” and “very”, and they are not the same: “fairly good” is lukewarm; “pretty good” is warmer; “rather good” (British) can mean surprisingly good. Tone changes them too: “quite good” with a fall-rise means “only quite good”.
It was fairly interesting. (Lukewarm)
It was pretty good, actually. (Positive)
That’s rather impressive. (British, warmly surprised)

Especially in British English, people often say less than they mean. “Not bad” can mean good; “a bit of a problem” can mean a serious one; “I’m not entirely convinced” can mean “I disagree”; “With respect…” often means “I think you are wrong”; “That’s an interesting idea” can mean “That will not work.”
Learn to hear the real message, and use understatement to soften your own criticism.
I’m not entirely convinced. (I disagree)
We may have a slight issue with the timeline. (There is a real problem)
It’s not the worst idea I’ve heard. (Faint praise)

Near-synonyms carry different shades: persuade (make somebody do) vs convince (make somebody believe); economic (about the economy) vs economical (saving money); sensible (reasonable) vs sensitive (easily affected); assure (remove doubt in a person) vs ensure (make certain) vs insure (financial protection); continuous (without stopping) vs continual (repeated).
She convinced me it was true, and persuaded me to sign.
It’s an economical car. (Saves money)
Please ensure the door is locked.
Tip: When two words seem the same, look up an example sentence for each. The difference is usually in what they go with.

Give feedback on a film, a restaurant and a colleague’s idea, each with exact shades of meaning: once enthusiastic, once lukewarm, once critical but understated.
I used quite, fairly, pretty or rather precisely
I used understatement for the criticism
I chose one precise word over a near-synonym

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