Quite vs Quiet
What’s the difference between them?
Quite
Meaning:
quite means 'to a great extent; very'.
Examples:
1. It's quite a surprise to see you here.
2. He was quite angry when he found out the truth.
3. Her work is quite impressive.
Quiet
Meaning:
making little or no noise, or having a calm or peaceful atmosphere.
Examples:
1. He was so quiet that his presence was barely noticed.
2. It was a quiet night, barely interrupted by the occasional sound of birds.
3. She asked her children to be quiet while she was on the phone.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Quite
1. Very
2. Extremely
3. Utterly
4. Fully
5. Completely
1. Slightly
2. Somewhat
3. Moderately
4. Marginally
5. Barely
Quiet
1. Mute
2. Still
3. Noiseless
4. Hushed
5. Peaceful/Peace and Quiet
1. Loud
2. Noisy
3. Chaotic
4. Raucous
5. Vocal
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Quite", "Quiet".
1. Remember that 'quite' is used to describe something that is 'more than a little.'
2. Remember that 'quiet' refers to a lack of noise or activity.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word be used?
Quite should be used when you want to add emphasis to a statement. For example, you could say 'I quite enjoyed the movie', which suggests you enjoyed the movie to a greater degree than simply saying 'I enjoyed the movie'.
When is the appropriate context for using the second word?
Quiet should be used when referring to a lack of noise or activity. For example, you could say 'It's so quiet in here', which implies there is no noise or activity.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. Quite is pronounced with an initial 'kw' sound, and quiet is pronounced with an initial 'qw' sound.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
A common mistake people make when using these words is using the incorrect one. Quite should not be used when referring to a lack of noise or activity, and quiet should not be used to emphasize a statement.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. The British library was ________ the ideal place for him to concentrate on his studies.
2. Its ________ chilly today, so you might want to wear a jacket.
3. In American diners, you can often find a ________ corner where you can enjoy your meal in peace.
4. She was ________ skilled at playing the violin; one could tell she had practiced for years.
5. While London can be loud and bustling, the countryside is often ________ and serene.
6. Its not ________ as simple as it looks; you might need some help with that.
1. The British library was quiet the ideal place for him to concentrate on his studies.
Explanation: The context suggests that the library was peaceful and conducive for studying, making quiet the correct choice.
2. Its quite chilly today, so you might want to wear a jacket.
Explanation: Here, the context is emphasizing the extent of the chilliness, making quite appropriate.
3. In American diners, you can often find a quiet corner where you can enjoy your meal in peace.
Explanation: The sentence describes a peaceful corner of a diner, so quiet is the suitable choice.
4. She was quite skilled at playing the violin; one could tell she had practiced for years.
Explanation: The context is emphasizing the extent of her skill in playing the violin, hence quite is correct.
5. While London can be loud and bustling, the countryside is often quiet and serene.
Explanation: The sentence contrasts the noisy city with the calm countryside, making quiet the appropriate choice.
6. Its not quite as simple as it looks; you might need some help with that.
Explanation: Here, quite is emphasizing the extent of simplicity, indicating that something might be more complicated than it seems.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.