Fun with Phrases
Politeness in Language
Mitigators in Comparisons
Everyday Mitigators
100
What is a Mitigator?
Mitigators are words or phrases used to reduce the intensity or strength of what is being expressed.
100
Give 5 examples of mitigators
Rather
Pretty
Slightly
Fairly
A bit
A little bit
Just a bit
Just a little bit
A little.
100
What do mitigators modify?
Modify adjectives and adverbs
100
This common mitigator means "not entirely" and appears in the phrase, "It’s ___ finished yet."
What is not quite?
200
This mitigator is often paired with "of" to soften statements like, "It’s ___ of surprising."
What is kind?
200
___ we could try another approach.
What is perhaps?
200
Not fully but partly
What is moderately?
200
A mitigator often used when you're unsure, as in, "I’m ___ ready to decide."
What is almost?
300
This word softens absolutes, as in, "It’s ___ a perfect solution."
What is not quite?
300
Could you ___ explain that again?
What is just?
300
to a lesser extent than expected
What is relatively?
300
This mitigator softens apologies, as in, "I’m ___ sorry for being late."
What is a little?
400
This polite mitigator appears in phrases like, "It’s ___ an option we can consider."
What is only?
400
___ this isn’t the best time to ask.
What is maybe?
400
introduces mild contrast
What is rather?
400
Often used in casual speech, this mitigator appears in, "It’s ___ like what I was expecting."
What is kind of?
500
A mitigator often used to downplay enthusiasm, as in, "I’m ___ interested in attending the event."
What is fairly?
500
It’s ___ not your best work.
What is probably?
500
expresses minimal effect
What is barely?
500
This mitigator is used to downplay the extent of something, as in, "I was ___ disappointed with the result."
What is slightly?