Adverbs: Quite, Fairly

[Tom]

Hello everybody

I find it very difficult to know when these two adverbs (fairly and quite) give the meaning of intensity and when moderation.) For example:

1- You fairly took me by surprise.
( completely or moderately??????)

2- Your work is fairly satisfactory.
(completely or moderately??????)

3-That is quite good.(pretty or to some extent??????)

How can a novice like me take out the correct meaning?

Please help

Thanks in advance

Tom

[Alan]

Hi Tom,

You asked:

[Tom]

Yes Dear, it was really wonderful----and, of course helpful

Tom

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

I think Alan's explanation is quite good!

I'll add one more note. (It was your first sentence that made me think of this.)
The word "fairly" can have a further meaning, when it precedes a verb:

The ground fairly shook when the herd of horses pounded by.

The painting fairly explodes with color and vitality.

In these sentences, I would understand the word "fairly" to have a meaning similar to "actually" or "literally".

Amy
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English