Ⅰ. fairly 多用于褒义,语气最弱,表“适度、尚可”等意思。
① It’s fairly cold out; wear a jacket. 外面颇冷,穿件外套。
② This is a fairly easy book. 这是一本相当浅易的书。
Ⅱ. Quite 与fairly 用法相似,但语气较强。如:
① It is quite cold out; wear a coat. 外面很冷,穿件外套。
② You are not quite happy this morning. 你今天早上我太高兴。
Ⅲ. rather 多用于贬义。语气在这三个词中。如:
It is rather cold out; wear a warm coat. 外面相当冷,穿件暖和人大衣。