Fairly, Rather and Pretty
Explore how fairly, rather, and pretty change the strength and tone of short reviews.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. Scegli la risposta corretta.
How positive is this restaurant review?
The food was fairly good, but I wouldn't make a special trip back.
- Excellent and worth traveling for
- Acceptable, but not outstanding
- Poor and not worth eating
Notice how the second part limits the praise.
Show solution
- Acceptable, but not outstanding
'Fairly good' gives moderate praise. In a review, it can suggest that something meets expectations without being especially impressive.
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2. Scegli la risposta corretta.
How does 'pretty good' sound in this message to a friend?
The acting was pretty good. I'd watch the movie again.
- Conversational and positive
- Formal and technical
- Conversational and negative
Think about the language people use in everyday recommendations.
Show solution
- Conversational and positive
'Pretty' is a common informal degree word in American English. 'Pretty good' fits naturally in a friendly recommendation.
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3. Scegli la risposta corretta.
What does this reviewer communicate?
I expected another dull sequel, but this one was rather enjoyable.
- The sequel was exactly as dull as expected.
- The sequel was less enjoyable than expected.
- The sequel was more enjoyable than expected.
Compare the expectation with the experience after 'but'.
Show solution
- The sequel was more enjoyable than expected.
'Rather' can suggest surprise, including pleasant surprise. It is not limited to negative descriptions.
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4. Scegli la risposta corretta.
How do the two uses of 'pretty' differ?
The lobby is pretty, but the rooms are pretty noisy.
- Both describe an attractive appearance.
- The first describes appearance; the second expresses degree.
- The first expresses degree; the second describes appearance.
Look at whether 'pretty' stands alone or comes before another describing word.
Show solution
- The first describes appearance; the second expresses degree.
'Pretty' is an adjective meaning attractive in the first clause. Before 'noisy', it is an adverb that strengthens the description.
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5. Scegli la risposta corretta.
What does the final 'fairly' mean?
The hotel is fairly small, but every guest is treated fairly.
- To a moderate degree
- In a surprisingly strong way
- In a just and reasonable way
The final word describes how people are treated, not the hotel's size.
Show solution
- In a just and reasonable way
'Fairly' can express degree, as in 'fairly small', or fairness, as in 'treated fairly'. Its meaning depends on what it describes.
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6. Scegli la risposta corretta.
What does 'rather' help the reviewer do here?
The screen is rather dim, so I struggled to read it outdoors.
- Soften a criticism without removing it
- Suggest that the dim screen is a benefit
- Take back the criticism completely
The wording is restrained, but the practical problem remains.
Show solution
- Soften a criticism without removing it
'Rather' can make a complaint sound less direct. The following clause still makes it clear that the screen caused a problem.
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7. Scegli la risposta corretta.
How much of the reviewer's information needs did the documentary satisfy?
The documentary told me pretty much everything I wanted to know.
- Only the most basic information
- Almost everything, allowing for small gaps
- Everything, with no exceptions at all
Treat 'pretty much' as a complete expression.
Show solution
- Almost everything, allowing for small gaps
'Pretty much' means almost or nearly. It leaves room for small exceptions rather than making an absolute claim.
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8. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
From a review of a new bakery:
The visit was ___ a disappointment after all the enthusiastic recommendations.
- fairly
- pretty
- rather
Notice that the gap comes directly before 'a disappointment'.
Show solution
The visit was rather a disappointment after all the enthusiastic recommendations.
'Rather' can come before 'a' and a noun phrase: 'rather a disappointment'. 'Fairly' and 'pretty' do not fit this structure.
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9. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
From a restaurant review:
The portions were ___ too large for me; I couldn't finish mine.
- rather
- fairly
- pretty
The degree word must work directly before 'too'.
Show solution
The portions were rather too large for me; I couldn't finish mine.
'Rather too' is a standard combination. 'Too large' means the portions exceeded a suitable size, not simply that they were large.
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10. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
From a written review of a redesigned app:
The new layout is ___ more convenient than the old one.
- pretty
- rather
- fairly
The phrase after the gap is a comparative.
Show solution
The new layout is rather more convenient than the old one.
'Rather' can modify a comparative such as 'more convenient'. 'Fairly' and 'pretty' do not directly fit before this comparative.
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11. Scegli la risposta corretta.
How can both descriptions of the laptop be true?
This laptop is pretty light for a gaming model, though it's too heavy for my daily commute.
- The reviewer changes their mind and decides it is light enough.
- It must be lighter than every laptop designed for travel.
- It is light within its category but still too heavy for the reviewer's needs.
Notice the comparison introduced by 'for a gaming model'.
Show solution
- It is light within its category but still too heavy for the reviewer's needs.
'For a gaming model' sets the comparison group. Being relatively light does not guarantee that a laptop suits every purpose.
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12. Scegli la risposta corretta.
What can we conclude about the ticket prices from these phrases alone?
One reviewer writes, 'The tickets were rather expensive.' Another writes, 'The tickets were pretty expensive.'
- Both found the tickets costly, but we cannot tell which price was higher.
- The first reviewer must have paid more.
- The second reviewer must have paid more.
Do these degree words represent fixed price levels?
Show solution
- Both found the tickets costly, but we cannot tell which price was higher.
These words express judgments, not exact measurements. Context matters more than a rigid ranking of 'rather' and 'pretty'.