quite suddenly

[haruhichan]

is quite suddenly a synonym of all of a sudden?

[fredpuli47]

This is confusing!

" Suddenly" is a synonym of "all of a sudden"

Nowadays " quite suddenly" means "rather suddenly", that is not as quickly, not as suddenly, not as unexpectedly, as "all of a sudden".

"All of a sudden" means "suddenly, unexpectedly"

Why nowadays ? Because "quite" has acquired the meaning of " rather" or "moderately". It first had this meaning in the 19th century and nowadays when someone says that something is 'quite '+ an adjective or adverb, that's usually what they mean.

"Quite" used to mean only "completely; entirely; fully; to the utmost extent". What's confusing is that it still does, sometimes. It does so in exclamations and when the tone of the speaker is emphatic; " It was quite horrid !"; "His behaviour was quite disgusting !" and " I found her piano playing quite delightful"

[Quizmonster]

I can see the point Fred is making above, but I'd simply put 'quite suddenly' in the same class as 'quite virginal' or 'rather unique' . Someone either is or is not a virgin and something either is or is not unique...there is no halfway house. Similarly, something either happens suddenly or it doesn't.

[fredpuli47]

Quite.

[haruhichan]

thank you guys:) i had that same dilemma, that is why i posted. my head was spinning a bit, particularly since my translation is from a poem which represent a new take on hamlet,so i thought OK, so am i supposed to take this as rather, or as totally?new meaning, old meaning?
my head is still spinning, but a bit less. thanks again