English grammar
British understatement: not bad at all, not exactly, a bit on the … side, rather
Soften criticism and understate, the British way: not bad at all, not exactly, a bit on the … side, rather.
From the scene It's not bad at all
In short
The British often say less than they mean: not bad at all (good), not exactly funny (not funny), rather perfect (really perfect).
Your turn
Which one goes with it isn't funny (said politely)?
Options: it's a bit on the sad side · it's not exactly funny · it's not bad at all
Show answer
it isn't funny (said politely) → it's not exactly funny
How it works
The British often say less than they mean. Not bad at all is real praise (= it's good).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Well, your chapter, Doña Elena, isn't (blank) short.
Options: exactly · rather · on the side
Show answer
Well, your chapter, Doña Elena, isn't exactly short.
Pues su capítulo, Doña Elena, no es precisamente corto.
Good to know
Not exactly + adjective politely means the opposite (not exactly funny = not funny). A bit on the sad side softens a criticism.
Good to know
And rather + a positive word is quiet enthusiasm: rather perfect = really perfect.
it's good it's not bad at all
Nuria
Let's see... It's not bad at all, Don Ramón.
A ver... No está nada mal, Don Ramón.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Let's see... (blank), Don Ramón.
Options: It's not exactly funny · It's a bit on the sad side · It's not bad at all
Show answer
Nuria
Let's see... It's not bad at all, Don Ramón.
A ver... No está nada mal, Don Ramón.
it isn't funny (said politely) it's not exactly funny
Nuria
Well... it's not exactly funny.
Bueno... no es precisamente divertida.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Well... (blank).
Options: it's a bit on the sad side · it's not exactly funny · it's not bad at all
Show answer
Nuria
Well... it's not exactly funny.
Bueno... no es precisamente divertida.
it's sad (softened) it's a bit on the sad side
Elena
It's a bit on the sad side. A man who loses a sock.
Es más bien triste. Un hombre que pierde un calcetín.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). A man who loses a sock.
Options: It's not exactly funny · It's a bit on the sad side · It's not bad at all
Show answer
Elena
It's a bit on the sad side. A man who loses a sock.
Es más bien triste. Un hombre que pierde un calcetín.
it's boring (softened) it's a bit boring
Your turn
What goes with it's a bit boring?
Options: it's good · it isn't funny (said politely) · it's boring (softened)
Show answer
it's a bit boring → it's boring (softened)
quiet enthusiasm it's rather perfect
Elena
No. It's rather perfect, actually.
No. Es más bien perfecto.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
No. (blank), actually.
Options: It's not exactly funny · It's rather perfect · It's not bad at all
Show answer
Elena
No. It's rather perfect, actually.
No. Es más bien perfecto.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| it's good | it's not bad at all |
|---|---|
| it isn't funny (said politely) | it's not exactly funny |
| it's sad (softened) | it's a bit on the sad side |
| it's boring (softened) | it's a bit boring |
| quiet enthusiasm | it's rather perfect |
More lines from the story
- RamónWell, your chapter, Doña Elena, isn't exactly short.Pues su capítulo, Doña Elena, no es precisamente corto.
- ElenaA bit? I fell asleep on page two.¿Un poco? Me he dormido en la página dos.