Quite: Completely or Rather

Question

Hello,I understand the word 'quite' can either mean completely or rather, but I'm confused as to when to interpret the word as 'completely' instead of 'rather' or vice versa.Is there something like a clue or indicator in a sentence to determine which meaning should apply?I would very much appreciate if you could give examples as well.Thank you.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I understand the word 'quite' can either mean completely or rather, but I'm confused as to when to interpret the word as 'completely' instead of 'rather' or vice versa.

Is there something like a clue or indicator in a sentence to determine which meaning should apply?

I would very much appreciate if you could give examples as well.

Generally speaking, I'd say much depends on the context, and in spoken English on the tone of voice.

eg 'You are quite wrong, you moron!', accompanied by a punch on the nose.

It can also depend on cultural values, such as the importance placed on understatement.

eg An Englishman does something incredibly dangerous, and then merely says 'That was quite alarming'.

eg It's a little cold, so I say 'It's quite cold'.

eg I'm freezing to death at the North Pole, and I say 'It's quite cold'.

Best wishes, Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Hi Clive,

Thank you for your response.

eg An Englishman does something incredibly dangerous, and then merely says 'That was quite alarming'. (quite=rather)

eg It's a little cold, so I say 'It's quite cold'. (quite=rather)

eg I'm freezing to death at the North Pole, and I say 'It's quite cold'. (quite=rather)

If I understood you correctly, I believe 'quite' in the first and third examples mean 'rather', however they are just understatements because the truth is the situation is more than what was said. Kindly confirm if my understanding is correct.

In the second example, is this also an understatement or literal in meaning? I got confused because it seems to me saying "It's quite cold" is not an understatement here, but literally means "rather cold", because the weather condition is really a little cold and not completely cold.

I would really appreciate your clarification on this matter.

Thanks,
Michael

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Thank you for your response.

eg An Englishman does something incredibly dangerous, and then merely says 'That was quite alarming'. (quite=rather)

eg It's a little cold, so I say 'It's quite cold'. (quite=rather)

eg I'm freezing to death at the North Pole, and I say 'It's quite cold'. (quite=rather)

If I understood you correctly, I believe 'quite' in the first and third examples mean 'rather', however they are just understatements because the truth is the situation is more than what was said. Kindly confirm if my understanding is correct. Yes.

In the second example, is this also an understatement or literal in meaning? It's not an understatement. I included the example to show the importance of context.

I got confused because it seems to me saying "It's quite cold" is not an understatement here, but literally means "rather cold", because the weather condition is really a little cold and not completely cold. Yes.

I would really appreciate your clarification on this matter.

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you for your clarification.  Now I completely understand.  Great help. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymouswhen to interpret the word as 'completely'

I'd like to add that "quite" means "completely" when negated.

Lucy's answer was not quite correct. (not completely correct)

CJ

Quite: Completely or Rather

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