OXFORD PRACTICE GRAMMAR
116 QUITE AND RATHER
A Quite meaning 'fairly'
Quite usually means 'fairly' or 'a medium amount' (see Unit 115A).
I jeel quite hungry now. Repairing the machine is quite difficult.
The talk was quite interesting. We were quite surprised at the result.
(But see D for another meaning of quite.)
B Stress with quite
In speech, whether we stress quite or the adjective makes a difference to the
meaning.
If we stress quite, it means 'fairly but not very'. If we stress the adjective, the
meaning is positive
The meaning is negative. (but not as positive as very).
The exhibition was quite good, but I've seen The exhibition was quite good. I
enjoyed looking
better ones. round it.
I get up quite early, but not as early as you do. I got up quite early. I had a
lot of jobs to do.
C Quite or rather?
When we make a favourable comment, we usually say quite, not rather.
The book was quite interesting. It's quite warm now. It was quite
nice walking through the park.
In unfavourable comments, we usually say rather, but quite is possible. The
book
was rather boring/quite boring. It was rather awkward/quite awkward
taking my
suitcase on the underground.
Rather in a favourable comment means 'to a surprising or unusual degree'.
It's
rather warm for October. (It isn't usually so warm.) / didn't know David can
cook. He's rather good at it. I expect Tom's jokes were awful. ~ Actually they

5 The sun is quite bright. You'll need your sunglasses.
2 Quite or rather? (C)
Put in these adjectives: better, busy, nice, noisy, popular
Use quite or rather with each adjective. Sometimes either is possible.
Mark: I didn't like that meal very much.
Sarah: The soup was (►) quite nice though, wasn't it?
Mark: The food was (1) ................................ the last time we came.
Sarah: It's (2)…………………….. in here, isn't it? Everyone seems to be
shouting.
Mark: I wasn't expecting the place to be so full. It's
(3)………………………. for a Monday evening
Sarah: This restaurant is (4) .................................., you know.
3 Quite or rather? (C)
Add a sentence expressing the idea in brackets.
Use quite or rather in your sentence. Sometimes either is possible.
► (It's pleasant by the river.)
Let's walk along by the river. It's quite pleasant there.
► (You think Nick is aggressive.)
I don't like Nick much. I think he's rather aggressive.
1 (Changing trains twice is complicated.)
We have to change trains twice
.............................................................................
2 (Your car is big.)
I can give you all a lift
.............................................................................................
3 (The show went on longer than you expected.)
It was a good show,
but.........................................................................................
4 (You made your decision quickly.)
It wasn't a difficult