Quite vs. Relatively

Attribute	Quite	Relatively
Definition	fairly, moderately	to a certain extent, in comparison
Intensity	less intense than very	more intense than quite
Usage	commonly used in British English	commonly used in American English
Subjectivity	subjective, can vary in meaning	less subjective, more consistent in meaning

Definition

Quite and relatively are both adverbs that are used to indicate the degree or extent of something. Quite is often used to emphasize a quality or degree, while relatively is used to compare one thing to another. Quite can also mean completely or entirely, while relatively suggests a comparison to something else.

Intensity

One key difference between quite and relatively is the level of intensity they convey. Quite is often used to indicate a high degree of something, while relatively suggests a moderate degree. For example, if someone says "I am quite tired," it implies a strong feeling of fatigue. On the other hand, if someone says "I am relatively tired," it suggests a more moderate level of tiredness.

Usage

Quite is commonly used in informal speech and writing to add emphasis to a statement. It can be used with both positive and negative adjectives, such as "quite beautiful" or "quite disappointing." Relatively, on the other hand, is often used in more formal contexts to compare one thing to another. For example, "The new restaurant is relatively inexpensive compared to other options in the area."

Scope

Another difference between quite and relatively is the scope of their meaning. Quite can be used to describe a wide range of qualities or degrees, while relatively is more limited in its application. Quite can be used to describe physical attributes, emotions, opinions, and more, while relatively is typically used to compare one thing to another in terms of size, cost, importance, etc.

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between quite and relatively:

• She is quite tall (emphasizing a high degree of height)
• The project is quite challenging (emphasizing a high degree of difficulty)
• The movie was quite entertaining (emphasizing a high degree of enjoyment)
• The house is relatively small compared to the others on the street (comparing size)
• The price is relatively low for such a high-quality product (comparing cost)
• His performance was relatively good considering the circumstances (comparing quality)

Conclusion

In conclusion, quite and relatively are both useful adverbs that serve different purposes in English language. Quite is often used to emphasize a high degree of something, while relatively is used to compare one thing to another. Understanding the nuances of these two words can help improve your writing and communication skills.