Level: intermediate
Mitigators are the opposite of intensifiers. When we want to make an adjective less strong we use these words: fairly, rather, quite
By the end of the day, we were rather tired.
The film wasn't great, but it was quite exciting.
and in informal English: pretty
We had a pretty good time at the party.
| Be careful! |
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Level: advanced quite When we use quite with a normal adjective, it makes the adjective less strong:
But when we use quite with a strong adjective, it means the same as absolutely:
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Level: intermediate
Mitigators with comparatives
We use these words and phrases as mitigators:
| a bit just a bit a little a little bit |
rather slightly just a little bit |
She's a bit younger than I am.
It takes two hours on the train but it is a little bit longer by road.
This one is rather bigger.
We use slightly and rather as mitigators with comparative adjectives in front of a noun:
This is a slightly more expensive model than that.
This is a rather bigger one than that.
- Mitigators 1
- Mitigators 2
Comments
Superb! Words cannot explain the usefulness of the lesson.
The exercise is very good.Now I realize the past mistakes which I've done. I am highly enthusiastic with British Council!!!!!!
The exercise is absolutely cool!
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