Basic knowledge
Applying Grammar
Is it correct?
Mitigators and comparatives
100
What is the function of mitigators?
Mitigators reduce the strength or intensity of a world, usually adjectives.
100
Give at least 3 possible mitigators.
The test was ____ difficult.
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somewhat, a bit, fairly, pretty, etc.
100
The movie was a little boring
Correct
100
Correct when necessary
She is little younger than me.
She is a little younger than me.
200
What kind of words are usually mitigators?
Adverbs
200
Complete:
The instructions were fairly ____, but the examples were a bit confusing.
clear, simple, straightforward.
200
Her new book was hardly interesting.
Incorrect
"Interesting" implies a positive engagement and "hardly" is often associated with negative or insufficient qualities, creating a contradiction.
200
The original "Total Recall" was rather successful than the remake.
The original "Total Recall" was rather more successful than the remake.
300
Which words do mitigators modify?
Adjectives
300
Complete so it expresses a mild mitigation.
Although the weather was ____ cold, we still decided to go hiking
slightly, a bit, a little, somewhat
300
The task was barely simple to complete.
The task was fairly/rather simple to complete.
"Barely" implies difficulty, which contradicts "simple."
300
My brother is slightly tall than I.
My brother is slightly taller than I am.
My brother is slightly taller than me.
400
Can mitigators be used to sound polite? Why?
They help speakers and writers avoid sounding overly assertive or extreme.
400
Complete so both express a moderate mitigation.
The movie was _____ exciting, and even though the actors were talented, their performances felt ____ forced.
fairly, rather, pretty
400
Even though the walk was rather tiring, we still enjoyed the beautiful scenery.
Correct
400
Although the test was just difficult than last year, most students performed well.
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Although the test was just a bit more difficult than last year's, most students performed well.
500
How do mitigators relate to collocations?
They are closely related because certain mitigators naturally pair with specific words, usually adverbs, to form common, natural-sounding expressions.
500
Complete with a mild and a strong mitigation
The solution, which was ____ unexpected, was ____ surprising to those who knew the details.
somewhat/hardly
500
The client was barely angry about the delay, but the situation became a bit funny when the manager tried to explain.
Incorrect
Mitigators that imply minimal or almost nonexistent emotion clash with the inherent intensity of "angry."
500
Our house is partially bigger than the Smith's.
"Partially" feels overly technical or precise for describing a common, subjective quality like size. It might work in highly specialized or scientific contexts but sounds strange in everyday usage.