Fairly, Rather and Pretty

by Vocafy Verificado

Inglês (EUA) B2 12 perguntas Words & expressions

Explore how fairly, rather, and pretty change the strength and tone of short reviews.

1. 1. Escolhe a resposta correta.

   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.

2. 2. Escolhe a resposta correta.

   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.

3. 3. Escolhe a resposta correta.

   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.

4. 4. Escolhe a resposta correta.

   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.

5. 5. Escolhe a resposta correta.

   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.

6. 6. Escolhe a resposta correta.

   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.

7. 7. Escolhe a resposta correta.

   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.

8. 8. Preenche o espaço em branco.

   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.

9. 9. Preenche o espaço em branco.

   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.

10. 10. Preenche o espaço em branco.

    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.

11. 11. Escolhe a resposta correta.

    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.

12. 12. Escolhe a resposta correta.

    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'.