mildly

/ˈmaɪldli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmaɪldli/ (ame, ipa)

mildly — adverb

1. to a small extent; used before adjectives and past participles to make their mea

1.副詞B1
釋義

to a small extent; used before adjectives and past participles to make their meaning less intense or less strong, without reaching a significant level.

例句

Kemi was mildly surprised when Noa offered to help with the dishes.

mildly + adjective (surprised) — reduces intensity

A mildly spicy curry does not bother Tariq at all.

mildly + adjective (spicy) — modifies noun phrase

同義詞
  • slightly

    almost identical in strength; interchangeable in most degree contexts

  • somewhat

    slightly stronger than mildly; suggests the degree is noticeable, not barely present

  • a little

    informal alternative; very common in everyday speech

  • moderately

    stronger than mildly; suggests a middle point rather than a small degree

反義詞
  • extremely

    the opposite end of the intensity scale

  • very

    expresses a high degree, unlike mildly

  • strongly

    suggests intensity or conviction, which mildly does not

文法句型

mildly + adjective (mildly surprised / mildly amusing)

mildly + past participle (mildly disappointed / mildly annoyed)

用法筆記

Mildly usually modifies an adjective or past participle, not a single main verb — for example, 'I mildly disagree' is grammatically possible but less natural than 'I disagree slightly.' The degree it expresses is weaker than moderately or somewhat.

常見錯誤

❌The soup was mildly.
✅The soup was mildly spicy.
💡Mildly cannot stand alone as a sentence complement; it must be followed by an adjective or past participle.
❌I mildly love this song.
✅The song is mildly pleasant.
💡Mildly does not pair naturally with strong emotions or extreme opinions. Use it with adjectives that express a moderate or weak reaction.

2. in a calm, gentle, and restrained manner — used especially with verbs of speakin

2.副詞B2
釋義

in a calm, gentle, and restrained manner — used especially with verbs of speaking, smiling, or interacting to show that someone behaves without harshness or anger.

例句

The nurse spoke mildly to the frightened child in the waiting room.

verb + mildly (spoke) — manner after verb

Heloísa mildly reminded her brother to lock the door before leaving.

mildly before verb (reminded) — pre-verbal position

同義詞
  • gently

    very close in meaning; both describe soft, kind behavior

  • softly

    emphasises quietness of voice or action

  • kindly

    adds a sense of warmth and care beyond calmness

  • calmly

    emphasises emotional control rather than gentleness

反義詞
  • harshly

    the direct opposite — severe and critical rather than gentle

  • sharply

    suggests sudden, critical speech or behaviour

  • angrily

    expresses strong negative emotion, opposite of calm restraint

文法句型

verb + mildly (spoke mildly / said mildly / smiled mildly)

mildly + verb (mildly reminded / mildly corrected)

用法筆記

Typically used with verbs of speech or interaction — speak, say, ask, remind, correct, smile, suggest, reply. The word can appear either before or after the verb; post-verb position (spoke mildly) is slightly more common in everyday English, while pre-verb (mildly reminded) feels slightly more formal.

常見錯誤

❌He shouted mildly.
✅He spoke mildly.
💡Mildly describes calm, gentle behavior and does not combine with verbs of anger or force.
❌She mildly screamed in surprise.
✅She gasped softly in surprise.
💡Screaming or yelling is the opposite of acting in a mild way; choose a quieter verb instead.