Fairly, rather, quiteandpretty are all degree modifiers. They are used to express the degree to which a certain quality is present. Fairly does not show a high degree of something, rather and quite do. Test your understanding of these degree modifiers with this grammar exercise. Each question is followed by four suggested answers. Choose the most appropriate one.
1"How was the movie?" "............... good. Not the best one I have seen this year."
Wrong!
"Fairly" means moderately, which fits the idea that the movie was good but not excellent.
2I ............... think we are going to lose.
Wrong!
"Rather" can soften an opinion before a verb such as "think."
3We are having ............... a bit of trouble with the kids just now.
Wrong!
"Quite" is used in the fixed phrase "quite a bit of" to mean a fairly large amount.
4You are ............... the most interesting woman I have ever known.
Wrong!
"Quite" is used before "the most" for strong emphasis.
5She didn't run ............... fast enough for a record.
Wrong!
"Quite" is used with negatives to mean not completely or not sufficiently.
6We were ............... hoping you could stay to supper.
Wrong!
"Rather" can soften what we say before a verb such as "hoping."
7I speak French ............... well—enough for everyday purposes.
Wrong!
"Fairly" means moderately, which fits speaking French well enough for everyday use but not perfectly.
Answers
- “How was the movie?” “Fairly good. Not the best one I have seen this year.”
- I rather think we are going to lose.
- We are having Quite a bit of trouble with the kids just now.
- You are quite the most interesting woman I have ever known.
- She didn’t run quite fast enough for a record.
- We were rather hoping you could stay to supper.
- I speak French fairly well—enough for everyday purposes.
