To varying degrees
Hedging expression to soften claims
Use it to acknowledge that a group shares a trait, but not in equal amounts.
15초 만에
- Means 'some more than others' in a group context.
- Used to soften claims and avoid making over-generalizations.
- Common in professional, academic, and thoughtful social conversations.
뜻
This phrase is used to say that something is true for everyone or everything in a group, but not in the same amount. It helps you avoid making a 'blanket statement' by acknowledging that some people feel it strongly while others only feel it a little.
주요 예문
3 / 6Discussing a movie with friends
We all enjoyed the sequel to varying degrees, though Mark hated the ending.
We all liked the movie in different amounts.
Professional performance review
The new software has improved productivity across all departments to varying degrees.
The software helped everyone, but some more than others.
Texting about a workout class
We're all sore today to varying degrees! My legs are like jelly.
We are all in pain, but some of us are worse off.
문화적 배경
This expression is a classic example of 'English understatement' and diplomatic hedging. It is deeply rooted in academic and professional discourse where making absolute, unproven claims is seen as a sign of poor critical thinking. It allows the speaker to remain technically correct even if there are outliers in a group.
The 'Safety Net' Strategy
Use this phrase when you are worried about someone disagreeing with you. It makes your statement 'un-arguable' because you've already admitted there are exceptions.
Don't Overuse It
If you use this in every sentence, you will sound like you are hiding something or are afraid to have a real opinion. Use it once per conversation for maximum impact.
15초 만에
- Means 'some more than others' in a group context.
- Used to soften claims and avoid making over-generalizations.
- Common in professional, academic, and thoughtful social conversations.
What It Means
Imagine you are at a party. Everyone is having fun, but some are dancing on tables while others are just tapping their feet. You could say, Everyone is enjoying themselves to varying degrees. It is a sophisticated way to say 'some more than others.' It acknowledges that life isn't black and white. It adds a layer of nuance to your speech. You aren't just saying 'yes' or 'no.' You are saying 'mostly yes, but it depends.'
How To Use It
Place this phrase at the end of a sentence to soften a claim. You can also put it in the middle to sound more academic. For example, The team members were, to varying degrees, disappointed. It acts like a safety net for your opinions. It prevents you from sounding too aggressive or overly certain. Use it when you want to describe a shared experience that isn't identical for everyone. It is the linguistic equivalent of saying 'your mileage may vary.'
When To Use It
You will sound like a pro in business meetings with this one. Use it when discussing results, feedback, or trends. It’s perfect for describing how a new policy affects different departments. Use it in social settings when discussing movies or food. If your friends all liked a spicy pizza but some cried and some didn't, this phrase is your best friend. It shows you are observant and thoughtful. It’s great for writing emails where you need to be diplomatic.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase when you need to be 100% precise. If you are a scientist reporting exact data, 'varying degrees' is too vague. Don't use it in high-stakes emergencies. If a building is on fire, don't say people are 'panicking to varying degrees.' Just tell them to run! Also, avoid it in very short, punchy texts where 'some' or 'mostly' works better. It can sound a bit 'wordy' if you use it while ordering a coffee. Keep it for when you want to sound balanced.
Cultural Background
English speakers, especially in the UK and US, love 'hedging.' Hedging is the art of not being too direct to avoid being wrong or rude. This phrase comes from a cultural desire to be inclusive of different perspectives. It reflects a society that values individual experience within a group. It became a staple of 'corporate speak' in the late 20th century. Now, it is a sign of a high-level, educated speaker. It suggests you understand that everyone’s reality is slightly different.
Common Variations
You might hear to a certain degree or to some extent. These are cousins to our phrase. To varying degrees is the most flexible because it covers the whole spectrum. You can also say in varying degrees, though to is more common. If you want to be very formal, try to differing degrees. If you want to be casual, just say more or less. But stick with to varying degrees for that perfect C1-level polish.
사용 참고사항
This is a neutral-to-formal expression. It is highly effective in writing and professional speech but can feel slightly 'stiff' in very casual, high-energy social settings.
The 'Safety Net' Strategy
Use this phrase when you are worried about someone disagreeing with you. It makes your statement 'un-arguable' because you've already admitted there are exceptions.
Don't Overuse It
If you use this in every sentence, you will sound like you are hiding something or are afraid to have a real opinion. Use it once per conversation for maximum impact.
The Politeness Secret
In English culture, saying 'Everyone hated it' is seen as rude. Saying 'Everyone disliked it to varying degrees' is seen as sophisticated and polite.
예시
6We all enjoyed the sequel to varying degrees, though Mark hated the ending.
We all liked the movie in different amounts.
Softens the group opinion so Mark doesn't feel left out.
The new software has improved productivity across all departments to varying degrees.
The software helped everyone, but some more than others.
Professional way to report mixed but positive results.
We're all sore today to varying degrees! My legs are like jelly.
We are all in pain, but some of us are worse off.
Adds a bit of drama and relatability to a shared struggle.
The guests were, to varying degrees, intoxicated by the time the cake was cut.
Everyone was a little bit drunk, but some were very drunk.
Uses formal language to describe a messy situation for comedic effect.
We are all struggling with the news to varying degrees.
This news is hard for all of us, in different ways.
Respectful and empathetic toward different emotional responses.
Everyone in the class is fluent to varying degrees.
Everyone speaks well, but their levels are slightly different.
Acknowledges progress without comparing students directly.
셀프 테스트
Choose the best phrase to complete the sentence about a group of people with different opinions.
The critics praised the performance ___, but the lead actor was the clear favorite.
This phrase acknowledges that while all critics gave praise, the 'amount' of praise differed.
Complete the professional report sentence.
Our clients are satisfied with the update ___, depending on their specific needs.
This is the standard idiomatic expression for showing a range of satisfaction.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality Spectrum of 'To Varying Degrees'
Using 'more or less' or 'sort of'.
We're all tired, more or less.
Using 'to some extent'.
I agree with you to some extent.
The sweet spot for 'to varying degrees'.
The staff were affected to varying degrees.
Using 'in commensurate proportions'.
The impact was felt in commensurate proportions.
Where to use 'To Varying Degrees'
Office Meeting
The project was successful to varying degrees.
Dinner Party
We all liked the wine to varying degrees.
Academic Paper
The subjects reacted to the stimulus to varying degrees.
Family Talk
We're all excited for the trip to varying degrees.
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문It means that a specific quality or feeling applies to everyone in a group, but the intensity or amount is different for each person. For example, We were all tired to varying degrees means some were exhausted and some were just a little sleepy.
Yes, slightly. To some extent usually refers to one person's opinion, while to varying degrees is almost always used when talking about a group of people or things.
You can, but it might sound a bit formal. It's better for a long text explaining a situation rather than a quick 'see you soon' message.
Both are grammatically correct, but to varying degrees is much more common in modern English. Stick with to to sound more natural.
Not at all! You can use it for objects or abstract concepts, like The houses were damaged to varying degrees by the storm.
Yes, it is considered advanced because it involves 'hedging,' which is a key skill for high-level academic and professional English.
It's rare. It usually works best in the middle or at the end of a clause. For example: To varying degrees, we all felt the heat sounds a bit poetic or dramatic.
People sometimes say to varying degree (singular). Always use the plural degrees because you are talking about multiple different levels.
It's excellent for job interviews! It shows you are balanced. Example: I am familiar with all the coding languages you mentioned to varying degrees.
Usually no, but it can be. If someone asks if a group is smart and you say To varying degrees..., it might imply that some people are actually quite stupid.
관련 표현
To some extent
Partly; not completely.
In part
Partially or to some degree.
More or less
Approximately or roughly.
A matter of degree
Used to say that the difference between two things is only in amount, not in kind.
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