The words quite and quiet are often confused by writers. Confusion between these two words is generally due to a typo. It's easy to hit the E and T keys in the wrong order and type quiet when you mean quite.
Out of the two words, quite is more common. It appears about four times more frequently than quiet.
Quite Definition
Quite means to the greatest extent or degree; completely, entirely when used as an adverb. For example:
- He is quite nervous.
- She is quite happy.
Quiet Definition
Quiet means with little or no sound when used as an adjective. For example:
- Let me have a quiet word.
- He is the quiet boy.
The Difference Between Quite vs Quiet
A good way to remember the difference is to focus on the pronunciation. We pronounce quiet with the final -et made clear.
For quite, the final -e is silent. If you focus on the pronunciation of the words then it shouldn't be difficult to distinguish them.
Is the expression quite different from or quiet different from?
The right phrase is quite different from.
What's the correct phrase, I am quite sure or I am quiet sure?
The right expression is I am quite sure.
Should I use quite a number of or quiet a number of?
You should use quite a number of.
Should I use quiet as a mouse or quite as a mouse?
The correct phrase is quiet as a mouse.
Some synonyms of quite are: truly, utterly, fully, altogether.
Some synonyms of quiet are: silent, reticent, subdued, restrained.
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