fairly,quite,rather,pretty这四个副词都表示程度,一般英汉词典的释义都是“相当”或“颇”.这几个词单凭其汉语释义是看不出它们的差异的,似乎汉语没有与它们相当的词.在英语中这几个副词表示的“程度”相差很大.它们的词义按照上面的排列顺序,从fairly 开始到pretty 为止,是逐渐加强的.比fairly
In spite of this,many people are confident that "The Revealer" may reveal something of value fairly soon.
尽管如此,许多人相信“这架探宝器”不久就会探测出有价值的东西来.
The car is fairly large for the four of us.
这辆车我们四个人勉强坐得开.
They were also quite sure that a cigarette end did not start the fire.
他们还相当肯定,一个香烟头不会引起这场火灾.
The car is quite large for(the two of us.
这辆车我们俩乘坐相当大了.
To make matters worse,the room is rather small.
使得事情更糟糕的是,这个房子相当小（房子太小,不太合适）.
当rather修饰large、small或其它性质的形容词时,往往表示太大或太小而不合适,特别是在形容词前有too时
The book is rather too difficult for the boy.
这本书对于这个孩子来说太难了.
It is a rather surprising result.
这是相当令人吃惊的成就.
It's pretty cold outside.
户外相当冷啊.
The situation is pretty hopeless.
这局面叫人感到相当绝望.
p.s.very比他们程度都强