A bit, slightly, I’d say

  • B2 · Upper-intermediate
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min
  • softeners

Softening criticism: a bit, slightly, not very, I'd say and I'm not sure (The middle is a bit slow, and the ending isn't very clear, I'd say). The student hears a friend's honest but kind feedback on a first novel, chooses and builds the forms, turns blunt comments into gentle ones, and gives the teacher feedback on a plan.

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a bitslightlyI'd say

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2In this lesson
  3. 3Listen: Gael's messageListening comprehension
  4. 4What does it mean?Grammar exercise
  5. 5Find the softenersGrammar exercise
  6. 6Softening what you sayGrammar rule
  7. 7Which one is right?Grammar exercise
  8. 8Soften itGrammar exercise
  9. 9Build softer sentencesGrammar exercise
  10. 10Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  11. 11Honest but kindSpeaking practice
  12. 12About youGrammar exercise
  13. 13Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: which sentence is correct?Grammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: a gentle reviewGrammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: build the sentencesGrammar exercise
  4. 4Homework: feedback for a friendDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

  1. Have you ever shown your writing, art or music to a friend? How did they react?
  2. When a friend asks what you think of their new haircut, do you tell the whole truth?
  3. What kind of books do you like, and do you ever stop reading a book in the middle?

Grammar rule

Softening what you say

Softeners

SoftenerWhere it goesExample
a bit / a littlebefore an adjective with a negative meaning, or after a verbThe jacket is a bit tight. My knee hurts a little.
a bit of abefore a nounThe first day was a bit of a nightmare.
slightlybefore an adjective, or before a verb (a little formal)The soup is slightly cold. I slightly prefer the red one.
not verybefore a positive adjective, instead of a negative oneThe chair isn't very comfortable. (softer than uncomfortable)
I'd sayat the start or at the end: this is my opinionI'd say we need two more chairs. We need two more chairs, I'd say.
I'm not sure+ (that) + a clause, + about + a noun, + if / what…I'm not sure the color works. I'm not sure about the music. I'm not sure if he's coming.

Watch out

  • a bit, a little and slightly soften bad points: The plot is a bit good is wrong. To criticize a good-sounding word, use not very: The plot isn't very original.
  • Before a noun, use a bit of a: It was a bit problem → It was a bit of a problem.
  • not very goes after be: The ending isn't very clear (not is very not clear).
  • I'd say = I would say: not I'd said.
  • In conversation, a bit is the most common; slightly sounds a little more careful. (a bit and slightly + a comparative, like slightly cheaper, come in unit 7.)
  • One softener per point is usually enough: too many make the message unclear.
Say softeners with a gentle voice: it goes down and then up a little at the end (It's a bit LONG↘↗).

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← Unit 6Seems to, tends to