More or less
Hedging expression to soften claims
Use it to show you are being honest but not claiming 100% mathematical precision.
15秒でわかる
- Used to say something is approximately or roughly true.
- Softens a statement to avoid sounding too aggressive or certain.
- Works in both casual conversations and most professional settings.
意味
You use this when something is mostly true but not 100% exact. It helps you avoid being too direct or precise when you aren't totally sure.
主な例文
3 / 6Checking progress on a task
I've finished the report, more or less.
I've finished the report, more or less.
Describing a person's height
He's six feet tall, more or less.
He's six feet tall, more or less.
Answering if you liked a movie
It was a good sequel, more or less.
It was a good sequel, more or less.
文化的背景
This phrase reflects the Anglo-cultural tendency toward 'hedging,' which is a linguistic strategy to avoid over-committing to a statement. It allows speakers to remain polite and flexible, preventing potential conflict if a fact turns out to be slightly incorrect. It has been a standard part of English since the 13th century, showing our long-standing love for ambiguity.
The 'End-of-Sentence' Trick
If you aren't sure where to put it, just stick it at the very end of your sentence. It sounds the most natural there.
Don't use it for precision
If you are giving someone medicine or technical specs, avoid this phrase. It signals that you aren't being exact.
15秒でわかる
- Used to say something is approximately or roughly true.
- Softens a statement to avoid sounding too aggressive or certain.
- Works in both casual conversations and most professional settings.
What It Means
Think of more or less as a verbal safety net. It tells people your statement is roughly accurate. You aren't claiming perfection. It covers about 90% to 95% of the truth. Use it when the exact details don't really matter. It is the ultimate tool for being 'close enough.'
How To Use It
You can place it at the end of a sentence. This is the most common way to soften a claim. You can also put it before an adjective or a verb. For example, 'The project is more or less finished.' It acts like a bridge between 'not yet' and 'totally done.' It keeps expectations realistic.
When To Use It
Use it when someone asks for a status update. It works great at a restaurant when the waiter asks if you liked the meal. Use it with friends when discussing plans. It is perfect for texting when you are running late. It saves you from being called a liar if things change slightly. It is the king of casual estimation.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in high-stakes legal situations. Do not use it when your boss asks for a precise budget. If a doctor asks about your allergies, be exact. Using it during a marriage proposal might end badly. 'I love you, more or less' is a recipe for disaster. Never use it when safety or precision is the priority.
Cultural Background
English speakers, especially in the UK and North America, love 'hedging.' We often avoid being too blunt or definitive. It feels more polite to leave a little room for error. It shows you are humble about your knowledge. It became a staple of conversational English centuries ago. It reflects a cultural preference for nuance over rigid facts.
Common Variations
You might hear people say give or take. This is usually for numbers or time. Roughly is a bit more formal. Just about is very common in American English. Sort of or kind of are much more informal. If you want to sound fancy, try approximately. But for daily life, more or less is your best friend.
使い方のコツ
This phrase is incredibly versatile and sits right in the middle of the formality scale. It is safe for almost any conversation except for those requiring extreme technical precision or legal accuracy.
The 'End-of-Sentence' Trick
If you aren't sure where to put it, just stick it at the very end of your sentence. It sounds the most natural there.
Don't use it for precision
If you are giving someone medicine or technical specs, avoid this phrase. It signals that you aren't being exact.
The British Understatement
In the UK, this phrase is often used to mean 'yes' while trying to sound modest. It's a key part of British 'understatement' culture.
例文
6I've finished the report, more or less.
I've finished the report, more or less.
Indicates the main work is done, but maybe some tiny edits remain.
He's six feet tall, more or less.
He's six feet tall, more or less.
Used here because the speaker hasn't actually measured him.
It was a good sequel, more or less.
It was a good sequel, more or less.
Shows a slightly hesitant or mixed opinion.
I'll be there at 8:00, more or less.
I'll be there at 8:00, more or less.
Gives the speaker a few minutes of 'buffer time.'
The kitchen is clean, more or less... if you don't look under the table.
The kitchen is clean, more or less... if you don't look under the table.
Uses the phrase to joke about a job done poorly.
I'm feeling better now, more or less.
I'm feeling better now, more or less.
Conveys that while things are better, they aren't perfect yet.
自分をテスト
Choose the best option to complete the sentence in a casual way.
The two houses are the same, ___.
Since two houses are rarely identical, 'more or less' acknowledges they are very similar but not perfectly the same.
Which phrase fits best in a work status update?
We have ___ agreed on the new budget.
This shows that a general agreement has been reached, even if small details are still being discussed.
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ビジュアル学習ツール
Formality of 'More or Less'
Used with friends for vague plans.
I'm ready, more or less!
Standard daily use in shops or offices.
That's the price, more or less.
Used in meetings to describe trends.
The results are the same, more or less.
Where to use 'More or Less'
Cooking
It's cooked, more or less.
Directions
It's two miles, more or less.
Work
I understand, more or less.
Emotions
I'm over it, more or less.
よくある質問
10 問It means 'approximately' or 'almost.' You use it when a statement is mostly true but might have small exceptions, like saying The job is done, more or less.
Not exactly. Maybe implies uncertainty about the future, while more or less describes the current state of something as being 'nearly' complete or accurate.
Yes, it is perfectly fine for neutral professional contexts. For example, We have more or less finalized the guest list is a common way to update a colleague.
It might sound a bit vague in an interview. It is better to use more precise language like effectively or largely to show confidence.
Give or take is almost always used with specific numbers or time, like It took ten days, give or take. More or less is more versatile and can describe concepts or feelings.
You can put it before an adjective, like more or less certain, or at the end of a clause, like I've finished, more or less.
Usually, no. Using it when you are 100% sure makes you sound like you are hiding something or being unnecessarily cautious.
It can be! If someone asks if you're 'working hard' and you say More or less while watching TV, it’s definitely sarcastic.
Yes, it is very common across all dialects of English, including American, British, and Australian.
Words like approximately, roughly, or virtually are more formal alternatives you can use in academic writing.
関連フレーズ
Give or take
Used specifically for numbers and measurements to show a margin of error.
Just about
Very close to being finished or true; almost.
Roughly
In a way that is not exact but close to the correct amount.
Sort of
A more informal way to say 'to some extent' or 'kind of'.
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