Quite\Rather 2

[SALMAS2009]

The Answer is Rather . it means "" Surprisingly""

[wace]

Modifiers of BETTER:
the film was a lot better than...
lots better ...
a (damned) sight better than ..
far better than...
a little/bit better than..

As for the choice between RATHER and QUITE before 'better', I think it would be worth considering the difference in register (and consequently in meaning) between the two.

[Huda-M]

I'd say far better then I had expected.

[c.sala@hotmail.es]

well, i think that the correct answer is RATHER, because this word is used when something is better than expected, as an intensyfier of the surprise of the persone talking.

[expoobedient]

Originally Posted by valtango

or simply, the film was better than I expected..

Agreed both quite and rather are incorrect usage and 'quite' inappropriate

[elnor]

Originally Posted by Red5

quite............................................. ...........

[birdeen's call]

I voted for "rather" and the posters seem to agree generally, but is "quite" completely wrong? I think it's not when "quite" is stressed.

[5jj]

Originally Posted by birdeen's call

I voted for "rather" and the posters seem to agree generally, but is "quite" completely wrong? I think it's not when "quite" is stressed.

It was quite good; it was quite the best film I have ever seen; but not quite better in this context, in my opinion.

It's acceptable in the sense of 'fully recovered':

A: How are you feeling today? Still weak?
B: No, I am quite better, thank you.

[birdeen's call]

How about this?

"Was is better?"
"It was QUITE better!"

This is what I had in mind. I'm not asserting that this is right in any other sense than that it's possible. Is it?

[5jj]

Originally Posted by birdeen's call

This is what I had in mind. I'm not asserting that this is right in any other sense than that it's possible. Is it?

Not for me.

COCA has only two examples of 'quite better', one of them 'I feel quite better', and the other 'quite better off' - which is different.