1. What is a qualifier?
A qualifier is a word or phrase that tempers the language nearby. Qualifiers include words like fairly, rather, somewhat, and relatively, and expressions like seems to be, a little, and a certain amount of. These phrases limit the severity of other words or phrases they modify.
2. Why use qualifiers?
There isn’t always a clear-cut answer in writing, so qualifiers can help prevent you from overstating your case. To express that you are reasonable, sporadically use qualifiers in your essay. Qualifiers show that you are conscious of the nuances of the topic at hand and that you understand both sides of it.
As useful as qualifiers are, excessive qualification will dilute your argument and weaken the essay.
WORDY: The Hess spy case was a rather serious breach of national security and likely helped the Soviets.
CONCISE: The Hess spy case breached national security and helped the Soviets.
Too many qualifiers in the first sentence make it vague and confusing. Remember, you want to be clear about what you are saying, just not unreasonably opinionated.
3. Exercise: Eliminate Excessive Qualifiers
Clear up the following sentences by eliminating excessive qualifiers.
1. You yourself are the very best person to decide what you should do for a living.
You are the best person to decide what you should do for a living.
2. It is possible that the author overstates his case somewhat.
The author overstates his case somewhat.
3. The president perhaps should use a certain amount of diplomacy before he resorts to force.
The president should use diplomacy before he resorts to force.
4. In Italy, I found about the best food I have ever eaten.
In Italy I found the best food I have ever eaten.
5. Needless to say, children should be taught to cooperate at home and in school.
Children should be taught to cooperate at home and in school.