> Other English exercises on the same topics: Adverbs | Frequent mistakes [Change theme]
	> Similar tests: - Placement test beginners: Check your spelling - Adverbs of frequency - Past simple or present perfect - Adjectives and adverbs - Adverbs of frequency - Although / in spite of / despite - Differences between Like and As - Again/ back
	> Double-click on words you don't understand

Quite/rather - English lesson

QUITE  

Means less than 'very' but more than 'a little' :             

-  The film was quite good but the book was much better.

-  She is quite attractive, but not what I'd call gorgeous.

-  She lives quite near me, so we can see each other quite often.

-  I quite like reading but it is not my favourite pastime.

 Quite a :  goes before  a  /  an

- He is quite a good soccer player ( not  a quite  good soccer player)

RATHER

is similar to quite. We use rather mainly with negative words and negative ideas :

-   He is limping rather badly

- 'What was the examination like ? ''Rather difficult , I am afraid.'

-  I was quite pleased with the hotel but she was rather disappointed.

When we use rather with positive words it means 'unusually' or 'surprisingly' :

-  These pears are rather nice ( nicer than expected ) where did you buy them ?

QUITE also means 'completely' and NOT QUITE not completely :              

-  He  has quite recovered from his illness     -  They have not quite finished their lunch yet

Especially with a number of adjectives : 

 sure, certain, right, wrong, true, safe, clear,different, incredible,

 extraordinary, amazing,  impossible,  unnecessary, obvious

-  I am sorry .It is quite impossible, I can't come !

-  Are you sure ? Yes, quite sure

Twitter Share
English exercise "Quite/rather" created by anonyme with The test builder.
Click here to see the current stats of this English test

Please log in to save your progress.

1. I could not believe what had happened.It was ratherquiteI don't know amazing

2. The people I work with are quiteratherI don't know unfriendly

3. Tom must go on a singing tour soon .He has quiteratherI don't know a good voice.

4. John is a hard worker but he is quiteratherI don't know slow

5. It is well -paid but it is ratherquiteI don't know a hard job.

6. We quiteratherI don't know understand what you are feeling.

7. Italy was the ideal place for our romantic holidays.It was quiteratherI don't know wonderful.

8. I have been told a strange ghost story.It is ratherquiteI don't know incredible.

9. What you are suggesting is ratherquiteI don't know impossible.I am sorry.

10. The teacher's explanation was quiteratherI don't know interesting. This time I understood everything !