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I am quite tallVocab questions, definitions, usage, etc |
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#3
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Quote:
So the answer needs a context. ![]() ![]() Edit: the original meaning of quite (from M.E. quit) is completely. But there is another meaning from 19th century of fairly. Which one is meant depends on context. It makes no sense to say somebody is completely tall, so it must mean fairly tall. But if I say this towel is quite dry or I am quite content then it means completely. There are times when I have no idea which is meant. He was quite polite could mean he was extremely polite or fairly polite, depending again on context. Anyway, it is impossible to say which of the above is taller. Are you quite satisfied with the answer? ![]() Last edited by Perikles; November 08, 2013 at 04:49 AM. |
#5
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I agree with Perikles and Chileno, but would like to add my
![]() If you substitute quite for very, your meaning will be less ambiguous (at least in American English). I think quite is used less frequently in American English.
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#6
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I think in general "quite" tall is used to express the fact that someone is even taller than normal standards of being considered tall. It would not normally mean that someone is fairly tall or a little tall. If someone is "tall" he or she is taller than the average person. If someone is "quite tall" than they are probably expressing the fact that they are taller than the average "tall" person.
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Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
High and tall | irmamar | Translations | 5 | May 28, 2010 06:52 PM |