Using Qualifiers: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

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—Bite-sized advice for better business writing—

October 23, 2020 

Using Qualifiers:
The Good, the Bad,
and the Ugly

“[C]aveats and fillers can damage the confident tone you’re trying to strike. Instead, say what you mean and nothing else.”

—Sarah Landrum

Qualifying words limit or intensify another word's meaning. Common examples include very, quite, somewhat, most, least, probably, likely, possibly, pretty, a little, perhaps, maybe.

Qualifying phrases and clauses act in a similar manner. They hedge ideas, softening the thought that follows.

  • If at all possible
  • For what it's worth
  • In my humble opinion
  • I just want to say that
  • I think that 
  • I'm of the belief that
Though qualifiers may seem like throw-away words, they can have a significant impact on the tone and substance of your message. By analyzing good, bad, and ugly uses of qualifiers, you can wield them more effectively in your writing. 

The Good

Well placed qualifiers allow you to soften or intensify an idea, express subjectivity, or show necessary uncertainty or doubt.

Gentle and suggestive: Maybe we need to change our business model.
Blunt and assertive: We need to change our business model.

You might start with a qualifying statement to take ownership of an idea.

I believe that we need to change our business model.
(The qualifier softens the delivery and highlights the writer’s subjectivity.)

However, as you will soon discover, qualifying too many of your statements in this manner can lead to unintended consequences.

The Bad

Overusing qualifiers creates wordiness and a waffling tone. When you hedge every idea with a qualifier, your readers will notice your lack of conviction, making your ideas less convincing.

Forgive me for bothering you, but the head of the Graphics Design Department at Northwestern College has asked if we might possibly be interested in perhaps offering internship opportunities to strong candidates from the university’s program.

I am of the opinion that starting an internship program could potentially bring some benefits.

You can establish a more confident writing voice by striking the unnecessary qualifiers.

The head of the Graphics Design Department at Northwestern College has asked if we are interested in offering internship opportunities to strong candidates from the university’s program.

Starting an internship program will benefit the company in three key ways.

The Ugly

Overusing qualifiers can also lead to vague, uninteresting writing. Seek fresh, specific alternatives to overused qualifiers, especially words like very, pretty, little, sort of, and some.

I was pretty surprised to hear some of the board sort of approved some very big changes.

I was surprised to hear the board approved three big changes.

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Play the Editor!

The following memo sounds doubtful and hesitant. Create a confident writing voice by removing or rewriting unnecessary qualifiers. Scroll down to see how your revision compared with our recommendation.

For some time now, I think that Mona Veal has done some pretty good work as a part-time graphic artist in our Marketing Department. You might consider promoting her to full-time status and maybe giving her some sort of a wage increase and perhaps full benefits. 

The promotion might be warranted for two reasons: 

  1. I would say that Mona has demonstrated a bunch of traits that Slenk Manufacturing values in graphic artists.
  2. The current staff of graphic artists has kind of been using a lot of overtime each week this year. With the Lee-Mar Industries contract now a priority, the strain on the group and budget may possibly increase. We might need the extra full-time support. 
If you have a chance, I'd appreciate if you let me know by August 16 whether you approve this promotion. I'd probably like Mona to begin full-time work on September 1. 
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Get More Support

Check out the Write for Business Guide, Courses, and eTips for more strategies for adding confidence and clarity to your writing.

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Editor’s Recommendation

For the past 18 months, Mona Veal has done outstanding work as a part-time graphic artist in our Marketing Department. I recommend that she be promoted to full-time status and be given the necessary wage increase and full benefits. 

The promotion is warranted for two reasons: 

  1. Mona has demonstrated those traits that Slenk Manufacturing most values in graphic artists: creativity, dependability, and the ability to work well with others.
  2. The current staff of graphic artists have averaged 3.5 hours of overtime per week throughout the year. With the Lee-Mar Industries contract now a priority, the strain on the group and budget will increase. We need extra full-time support. 

Please let me know by August 16 whether you approve this promotion. I'd like Mona to begin full-time work on September 1.