Page 210 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

I'm experimenting with a new perfume.
An experience is something that you live through; something that happens to you in life. Experience is generally used with the verb have. There is also a verb
to experience.
IhadalotofinterestingexperiencesduringmyyearinAfrica. (NOT :"ttttiea
18t B{ interesting expeFienees . . . )
Have you ever experienced the feeling that you were going mad? (NOT Htwe
) ' B t l efJt!l' expel'imented the feeling . . . ?)
The uncountable noun experience means 'the knowledge that you get from doing things'.
Sales person wanted - experience unnecessary.
198 explain
After explain, we use to before an indirect object.
I explained my problem to her. (NOT : explained heF my problem.) Can you explain to me how to get to your house? (NOT CAn Jf6t1
explailt me ...?)
199 fairly. quite. rather and pretty:
adverbs of degree
1 fairly
Fairly generally modifies adjectives and adverbs. It does not suggest a very highdegree:ifyousaythatsomebodyisfairly niceorfairlyclever,forexample, he or she will not be very pleased.
How was the film? - Fairly good. Not the best one I've seen this year. I speak Russian fairly well - enough for everyday purposes.
2 quite
Quite (especially in British English) suggests a higher degree than fairly. How was the film? - Quite good. You ought to go.
It's quite a diffiCUlt book - I had trouble with it.
He's lived in St Petersburg, so he speaks Russian quite well.
Quite can modify verbs and nouns.
I quite enjoyed myselfat your party. The room was quite a mess.
For word order rules. the use of quite to mean ·completely·. and other details, see 489.
3 rather
Rather is stronger than quite. It can suggest 'more than is usual', 'more than was expected', 'more than was wanted', and similar ideas.
How was the film? '" Rather good - I was surprised.
Maurice speaks Russian rather well. People often think he is Russian. I think I'll put the heating on. It's rather cold.
I've had rather a long day.
explain 198
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