Calm/comfort

Question

He (a doctor) often had this nervous smile on his face. It was a bit distracting. I think it was meant to calm/comfort me or something like that.

1) Is "I think it was meant to" OK here?

2) If I used "calm" would it sound like "I" was very upset over something or not necessarily that bad?

3) If I used "comfort" would it sound like "I" was crying or just feeling distressed over something or does it not have to be that bad?

4) If "I" was pretty calm but just a little worried about something, which of the two (or a third option) would you find more appropriate in the context?

Thank you.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

anonymous
He (a doctor) often had this nervous smile on his face. It was a bit distracting. I think it was meant to calm/comfort me or something like that.
1) Is "I think it was meant to" OK here? Yes.
2) If I used "calm" would it sound like "I" was very upset over something or not necessarily that bad? See next question.
3) If I used "comfort" would it sound like "I" was crying or just feeling distressed over something or does it not have to be that bad? We cannot often infer an entire surrounding situation just by the use of one word or another except through imagination. I hesitate to say what 'calm' or 'comfort' implies about the situation in which it is used.
4) If "I" was pretty calm but just a little worried about something, which of the two (or a third option) would you find more appropriate in the context? Again, you are expecting language to specify reality in a much more sharply focused way than it is capable of doing. Still, my personal preference here is for 'comfort'.
Thank you.

CJ

Calm/comfort

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