quite

quite — adverb

1. used before an adjective or participle that describes a complete or absolute qua

1.副詞B1
釋義

used before an adjective or participle that describes a complete or absolute quality, to add force and show that something is 100% that way — for example, being quite certain about a fact, or finding two things quite opposite in nature.

例句

Xiu was quite sure she had locked the door before leaving.

quite + sure (non-gradable adjective for absolute certainty)

The two proposals are quite different from each other.

同義詞
  • totally

    more informal, common in everyday speech

  • entirely

    slightly more formal, often used with abstract qualities

  • completely

    neutral and direct; the closest synonym

文法句型

quite + adjective (non-gradable)

quite + past participle

用法筆記

This sense combines only with non-gradable (absolute) words like right, wrong, sure, certain, different, opposite, clear. Do not use it with gradable adjectives such as big, small, hot, cold — that would produce the moderate meaning (sense 6) instead.

常見錯誤

❌She was quiet sure about the answer.
✅She was quite sure about the answer.
💡quite and quiet are different words; quiet means silent.

2. used alongside a negative word such as not when you lack full certainty about so

2.副詞B1
釋義

used alongside a negative word such as not when you lack full certainty about something, or when something does not turn out exactly as expected — for instance, not quite knowing the answer, or not quite finishing a task on schedule.

例句

Obi did not quite understand what the teacher expected from the assignment.

did not quite + understand (expressing partial uncertainty)

Camille did not quite remember where she had left her phone.

同義詞
  • exactly

    not + exactly is very similar; slightly less common in speech

  • fully

    not + fully emphasises completeness rather than understanding

  • entirely

    used in the same negative pattern; slightly more formal

文法句型

not + quite + verb

do not / does not / did not + quite + verb

用法筆記

Always appears with a negative (not or no) immediately before the verb. Common verb partners include know, understand, remember, see (meaning understand), grasp, finish, match. This sense does not occur in positive statements.

常見錯誤

❌I quite don't understand.
✅I don't quite understand.
💡quite follows the negative auxiliary, not the other way around.
❌I quite forgot to bring the book.
✅I quite forgot to bring the book.' (incorrect in this sense
💡use 'completely forgot' instead) — this negative-sense quite cannot be used in positive statements.

3. used to show strong support for what someone has just said — either by saying qu

3.副詞B1
釋義

used to show strong support for what someone has just said — either by saying quite on its own (like saying I agree completely), or by placing it before an adjective such as true or right to confirm that a statement matches your own view.

例句

'The traffic has been terrible lately.' 'Quite.' Diego nodded in agreement.

standalone 'Quite' as a one-word agreement response

Matthew said the budget needed trimming, and Rachel replied, 'Quite right.'

同義詞
  • exactly

    more widely used across all English varieties

  • absolutely

    stronger emphasis; common in both British and American English

  • indeed

    more formal; used in both written and spoken contexts

文法句型

quite (as a one-word response)

quite + adjective (true, right, correct)

用法筆記

Primarily British English; speakers from other regions may not use this sense naturally. In American English, speakers would more likely say 'Absolutely' or 'Exactly' instead. The standalone response 'Quite.' can sound formal or old-fashioned to younger listeners.

常見錯誤

❌He quite agreed with the idea.' (sounds unnatural in this sense)
✅Quite.' or 'Quite right.
💡this sense is a response to a statement, not used inside a regular sentence.

4. placed before a or an to stress that a person, thing, or situation goes beyond w

4.副詞B1
釋義

placed before a or an to stress that a person, thing, or situation goes beyond what people normally expect — whether in size, quality, interest, or degree. For instance, waiting takes quite a long time, or a party turns out to be quite an event with extraordinary details.

例句

Xiu has earned quite a lot of money from her online store this year.

quite a lot of + noun (emphasising a large amount)

The wedding was quite an event with more than three hundred guests.

同義詞
  • remarkably

    similar degree emphasis but placed after the verb

  • rather a

    stronger British nuance; more formal

  • truly

    places focus on genuineness of the quality

文法句型

quite a + noun

quite a + adjective + noun

quite some + noun

用法筆記

The pattern quite a / quite an is followed by either a noun on its own (quite a party) or adjective + noun (quite a long speech). Quite some is used with uncountable or plural nouns and emphasises large amount or long duration. This sense carries a tone of surprise or admiration.

常見錯誤

❌She has quite money.
✅She has quite a lot of money.
💡quite a requires an article or quantifier before a singular countable noun.
❌It was quite a difficult.
✅It was quite a difficult test.
💡quite a must be followed by a noun, not just an adjective.

5. placed immediately before certain adverbs to strengthen what you are saying — mo

5.副詞B2
釋義

placed immediately before certain adverbs to strengthen what you are saying — most often with frankly, simply, honestly, possibly, and literally — making your opinion or statement sound more forceful and direct.

例句

Quite frankly, the proposal has too many problems to succeed.

quite frankly (fixed phrase introducing a blunt opinion)

Quite simply, the company cannot afford to hire more staff this year.

同義詞
  • absolutely

    can replace quite frankly or quite simply in many contexts

  • truly

    similar strengthening effect but more emotional

  • honestly

    the adverb itself works with or without quite for emphasis

文法句型

quite + adverb (frankly, simply, honestly)

quite + possibly

用法筆記

Only works with a small, fixed set of adverbs: frankly, simply, honestly, possibly, literally, clearly. Do not invent new combinations such as quite hopefully or quite sadly — these are not natural. The phrase quite frankly often introduces a critical or direct opinion.

常見錯誤

❌Quite, I think the plan is bad.
✅Quite frankly, I think the plan is bad.
💡quite alone cannot introduce an opinion; it needs the adverb.
❌The book was quite interestingly written.
✅The book was quite interesting.
💡use the adverb pattern only with the allowed set of adverbs.

6. before a gradable adjective or adverb, to mean to a noticeable but not extreme d

6.副詞B1
釋義

before a gradable adjective or adverb, to mean to a noticeable but not extreme degree — less strong than very, but more than a little. For example, describing a room as quite warm means it is moderately warm, not very hot and not cold.

例句

The weather in Taipei was quite warm for late November.

quite + gradable adjective (warm — moderate degree)

Diego found the novel quite interesting, though not his favourite.

同義詞
  • fairly

    slightly weaker; more neutral in tone

  • rather

    common in British English; slightly stronger than quite

  • pretty

    informal; very common in spoken American and British English

  • somewhat

    more formal; suggests a modest degree

文法句型

quite + adjective (gradable)

quite + adverb (gradable)

用法筆記

This sense is the standard British English use of quite before gradable adjectives (big, small, hot, cold, good, interesting, tired, surprised). In American English, quite before these adjectives more often means very rather than moderately. Learners should be aware of this regional difference: quite good in the UK means fairly good; in the US it can mean very good.

常見錯誤

❌He is quite the tallest in the class.
✅He is quite tall.
💡quite does not combine with superlatives in this sense.
❌The book was quite not interesting.
✅The book was not quite interesting.' or 'The book was quite boring.
💡word order with negatives follows sense 2, not this pattern.