He sort of cheated

sort of cheated ~ did something very much like cheating, but I don't want to call it cheating

CJ

CalifJimsort of cheated ~ did something very much like cheating, but I don't want to call it cheatingCJ

Is "sort of cheated" an euphemism?

AnonymousIs "sort of cheated" an euphemism?

No. Not the full expression in itself. Rather, "sort of" before almost any verb makes it somewhat euphemistic, but only in that the speaker doesn't want to commit himself to all the implications of the true meaning of the verb.

I sort of forgot to do my homework. (This student doesn't want to admit

Note: a euphemism.

Thank you, CJ and Tamguatlay, for replies.

She's sort of beautiful.
I was sort of cheating.
Are they ok?

What about these?
She sort of has been there.
She sort of speaks English.

She sort of has been there.

This suggests that she was asleep or an infant when she was there. Physically present, but not knowing present.

She sort of speaks English.

You'll hear things like this. Her English is understandable, but not great.

He sort of doesn't speak English.
He sort of didn't study well.
Are they correct?

Does "sort of" in the sentences I wrote mean "kind of"?