Definition criticize in American English

➡ angry, argument, feeling

Ways of expressing criticism

I have to say

used when you are going to say something that may annoy or upset someone, especially because it expresses criticism

With respect/With all due respect

used when you are going to disagree with someone or criticize someone, in order to sound more polite

To say the least/To put it mildly

used for suggesting that something is worse or more extreme than you are saying

Shall we say?

used in the middle of a sentence for making a statement or criticism seem less severe or offensive

Don’t get me wrong

used when you want to make sure that someone understands your comments correctly, especially when you are criticizing them

How can I put it?/Let me put it this way

used when you are going to say something that is honest but may sound rude or unkind

To be fair/In fairness/To give someone credit

used for making your criticism of someone or something seem less strong by mentioning something good about them

Examples:

I have to say, I found his performance pretty disappointing.

With all due respect, Mr Davies, I think you’re being a little unreasonable.

I think his behavior in the meeting was immature, to put it mildly.

The training program seems, shall we say, a little dull.

Don’t get me wrong, I do like Christine, I just don’t think she’s right for you.

Her boyfriend is kind of, how can I put it, hard to get along with. ♦ Let me put it this way, I wouldn’t miss her if she left.

Vicki’s schoolwork has been poor this term, though, to be fair, her math has improved. ♦ She never calls me, though to give her credit, she always remembers my birthday.