Definition criticize in British English

➡ angry, argument, feeling

Ways of expressing criticism

I’m bound to say/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 shall 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

Without wishing to do something

used when you are going to say something that someone may not like

To be fair/In all fairness/To give someone their due

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

Examples:

I’m bound to say/I have to say, I found his performance pretty disappointing.

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

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

The training programme 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 a bit, how shall I put it, difficult to get along with. ♦ Let me put it this way, I wouldn’t miss her if she left.

Without wishing to hurt your feelings, I think you need to lose a little weight.

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