Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #114432: Quite/ Quiet/ Quite

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Quite/ Quiet/ Quite

This lesson will have two objectives. The first one will be very simple: we'll make sure to learn how to distinguish between QUIET = calm and QUITE = a little, (somewhat) OR totally.

Distinguishing between the two values of QUITE will then be our second objective, a little more tricky than the first one, but respecting specific rules.

I) DISTINGUISHING between QUIET and QUITE:

a) QUIET = calm, making little noise. It's an adjective which qualifies a noun.

- The children are very quiet just now. I wonder what they're doing.

b) QUITE = a little, somewhat/ very, totally. It's an adverb modifying an adjective, a verb, or another adverb.

- I've been quite tired lately. I hope I can get a little rest before my exams.

II) QUITE = a little OR QUITE = totally.

In order to make a difference between the two meanings of QUITE, I have to introduce the notions of gradable adjectives and of non-gradable ones.

a) QUITE + gradable adjective = a little, somewhat, moderately. It has a similar meaning to « rather » or « fairly ».

An adjective is «gradable » if it may vary in degrees and can be “graded”:

-rich => richer =>very rich.

-You play tennis quite often, and you always win.

b) QUITE+ non-gradable adjective = totally=; absolutely, completely.

In this construction, QUITE is stressed as much as the adjective.

A non-gradable adjective is « existing » or « non-existing », but cannot have degrees.

- This arrangement is quite impossible for me to accept. You'll have to find another one. (= non existing; an action can be "possible" or "impossible", but can't be a little impossible).

There you are! You're ready for the test, now! Go for it!

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1. She was popular when she was in high school but had failed to lead the cheerleaders of the school.
2. Yes! I agree with you! Tim is quite tall, but I'm sure he's not as tall as his father yet.
3. It was important for him to be the winner of the race.
4. Congratulations! I'm certain you'll pass this exam with high honours.
5. I'm busy... in fact much too busy to look after the kids while you're away...
6. They were quiet and could thus work in a satisfactory way.
7. When we met Pam last January, she was pregnant and gave birth to Brian a few days later.
8. This case is heavy, but as I don't have to carry it for long, it's manageable.
9. The cold is extreme in space, and would freeze a human being in seconds.
10. Is there another show like this one in the world? In my opinion, it must be unique.
11., please! Some students are taking a test.

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