quite

[alexka]

Is it correct to say: "I quite like folk music"

 

[5jj]

Is it correct to say: "I quite like folk music"

Yes. Its meaning is fairly similar to that of rather.

 

[birdeen's call]

I think it can mean "very much" too.

I've just found this... :shock:

 

[5jj]

I think it can mean "very much" too.

It can, but not in Alexka's sentence.

In BrE quite means something like fairly/rather before gradable adjectives and verbs.

He's quite nice.
I quite like him.

it means completely before non-gradaable adjectives.

This wine is quite divine.

 

[alexka]

quite has been followed by verbs sometimes and an adjectives as well. does that mean that both are correct and is it used more in british english than american english

 

[birdeen's call]

It can, but not in Alexka's sentence.

In BrE quite means something like fairly/rather before gradable adjectives and verbs.

He's quite nice.
I quite like him.

it means completely before non-gradaable adjectives.

This wine is quite divine.

They say in the article:

If there is no foregrounding of a change involved in the situation, i.e. the
mode of construal of the verb is unbounded, then quite functions as an
unbounded booster, as in I quite like/fancy this, i.e. 'I like/fancy this very
much'.

I have no idea what foregrounding of a change and unbounded mode of construal are but it seems to say,

I quite like this. = I like this very much.

I haven't read the entire article, I just searched for "quite like". There are other hits there which say the same.

 

[5jj]

[/I]
They say in the article:
I have no idea what foregrounding of a change and unbounded mode of construal are

Oh you poor, ignorant Polish woman. It means ....um .....er ... well, it sort of means .... that if the change involved in the situation isn't .. er... foregrounded ..., then ...um

Well it's obvious to me!!!


;-)

 

[birdeen's call]

Oh you poor, ignorant Polish woman. It means ....um .....er ... well, it sort of means .... that if the change involved in the situation isn't .. er... foregrounded ..., then ...um

Well it's obvious to me!!!


;-)

:-D I think I'm getting it!