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| See examples below: Her dancing was quite good, but it could be better. (Meaning – It’s OK, not bad.) It’s quite impossible. (Meaning – It’s completely impossible.) |
| Explanation: A gradable adjective like “good” means it could be more or less good. Quite usually means something like “fairly” or “rather” in affirmative sentences with gradable words. |
| A non-gradable adjective like “impossible” means things are either impossible or not but they cannot be more or less impossible. It usually means completely. |
| Compare: a) I’m quite tired, but I can walk a bit further. I’m quite exhausted – I could not walk another step. b) It’s quite surprising. (means similar to fairly surprising) It’s quite amazing. (means absolutely amazing) c) He speaks Japanese quite well, but he’s got a strong accent. He speaks Japanese quite perfectly. d) I quite like her, but she is not one of my closest classmates. Have you quite understood? (means “Have you completely understood?”) |
| Note: Quite with gradable adjectives means something like “very”, not “fairly/rather”. |
| Quite can be used with a/an + noun. It normally comes before a/an if there is a gradable adjective or no adjective. |
| See examples below: It’s quite a fine day. We watched quite an interesting game yesterday. She’s quite a dancer. The event was quite a success. |