David

[poetix99]

I have a difference of opinion with my Elementary level coursebook of specifying relative quantities, and would like to conduct a quick survey.

Which indicates a greater quantity:

1) Every day, I drink a lot of water.
2) Every day, I drink quite a lot of water.

I'd appreciate respondents giving their opinion, brief bases for such, and to indicate whether you're most influenced by American or British speaking conventions.

Thanks.

[5jj]

I have a difference of opinion with my Elementary level coursebook of specifying relative quantities, and would like to conduct a quick survey.

Which indicates a greater quantity:

1) Every day, I drink a lot of water......2) Every day, I drink quite a lot of water.

I'd appreciate respondents giving their opinion, brief bases for such, and to indicate whether you're most influenced by American or British speaking conventions.

Thanks.

There is no point in asking speakers of BrE. For most of us, 'a lot' is possibly more than 'quite a lot'. However, in our twisted British way, we are quite likely to use 'quite a lot' when we mean 'an enormous quantity/number/etc'.

[BobK]

There is no point in asking speakers of BrE. For most of us, 'a lot' is possibly more than 'quite a lot'. However, in our twisted British way, we are quite likely to use 'quite a lot' when we mean 'an enormous quantity/number/etc'.

5jj's point, which may not be clear to the OP, is that intentional understatement is not uncommon here.

b

[5jj]

Please try to give your thread a title that tells us what it is about.

[poetix99]

Done; with my apologies.
My thanks for replying (anyway).