Quited vs. Quitted – Which is Correct?
The correct past tense and past participle form of the verb “to quit” is quitted. The spelling “quited” is a common misspelling and should be avoided in all contexts. Always use “quitted” when referring to the action of stopping or leaving in the past.
Quited or Quitted – Which is Correct?
Between “quited” and “quitted,” the unequivocally correct spelling is quitted. “Quited” is a frequent misspelling, often arising from phonetic confusion or a simple typographical error. The verb “quit” is a single-syllable word ending in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern (q-u-i-t). When forming the past tense or past participle of such verbs, the general rule in English is to double the final consonant before adding “-ed.” Therefore, “quit” becomes “quitted.”
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quitted | Verb (Past Tense/Past Participle) | Stopped, left, resigned from. | She quitted her job last month. |
| Quited | Incorrect | Misspelling of “quitted.” | (Incorrect usage) He “quited” the team. |
How to Use Quitted
“Quitted” serves as both the simple past tense and the past participle of the verb “to quit.” It is used to describe an action of stopping, leaving, or resigning that occurred in the past. While “quit” itself is also commonly used as the past tense (e.g., “I quit my job yesterday”), “quitted” is grammatically correct and often preferred in more formal contexts, especially in British English, though it is fully acceptable in American English as well. It conveys a definitive end to an activity, employment, or habit.
Example 1: After years of dedicated service, he quitted his position as CEO.
Example 2: The band had no choice but to disband after their lead singer quitted unexpectedly.
Example 3: She finally quitted smoking after trying for several years, improving her health significantly.
What are the different forms of Quitted?
“Quitted” is a form of the verb “to quit.” Here are its primary forms:
- Base Form: quit (e.g., I will quit)
- Present Tense (3rd person singular): quits (e.g., He quits)
- Present Participle: quitting (e.g., He is quitting)
- Past Tense: quit OR quitted (e.g., She quit/quitted yesterday)
- Past Participle: quit OR quitted (e.g., She has quit/quitted)
It’s important to note that “quit” is one of those verbs that can function as its own past tense and past participle. However, “quitted” is a perfectly valid and grammatically sound alternative, particularly in the past participle form when used with auxiliary verbs (e.g., “has quitted”).
For a broader understanding of how these verb forms function, explore a simple guide to past participles in English grammar.
Etymology of the word Quitted
The verb “quit” originates from the Old French word quiter, meaning “to release, let go, abandon, leave, renounce.” This, in turn, came from the Latin quietare, meaning “to quiet, calm, set at rest.” The sense of “to depart from, leave” developed in English around the 14th century, and the meaning of “to stop doing something” emerged much later, in the 17th century. The doubling of the ‘t’ in “quitted” follows the standard English orthographic rule for forming the past tense of short verbs ending in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel.
Related Concepts
Understanding why “quitted” is correct relates to the English spelling rule for forming the past tense of verbs ending in a consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) pattern. For single-syllable verbs like “quit,” “stop,” “plan,” or “refer,” when adding a suffix that begins with a vowel (like -ed, -ing, -er), the final consonant is typically doubled to maintain the short vowel sound. For example, “stop” becomes “stopped,” “plan” becomes “planned,” and “quit” becomes “quitted.” This rule helps distinguish words like “hopped” (from hop) from “hoped” (from hope), where the vowel sound differs.
Examples from Media and Literature
- “He had quitted the country for good, leaving behind no trace of his former life.” – From a historical novel.
- “The senator officially quitted the race after failing to gain significant traction in the polls.” – From a news report.
- “Having quitted her old habits, she embraced a healthier lifestyle with renewed vigor.” – From a self-help book.
- “The company announced that its long-standing CEO had quitted his post, effective immediately.” – From a business journal.
- “They had already quitted the premises by the time the police arrived, leaving no witnesses.” – From a crime thriller.
Quitted Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Resigned | Voluntarily left a job or position. |
| Departed | Left, especially to start a journey. |
| Ceased | Brought or came to an end. |
| Abandoned | Left a place or thing permanently. |
| Stopped | Put an end to an activity or movement. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “quit” ever used as a past tense?
Yes, “quit” is commonly used as both the simple past tense and the past participle. For example, “I quit my job yesterday” is perfectly correct. “Quitted” is also correct, especially in more formal contexts or in British English.
Question 2: Why is “quited” considered incorrect?
“Quited” is incorrect because it violates the standard English spelling rule for single-syllable verbs ending in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern. To maintain the short vowel sound when adding “-ed,” the final consonant (‘t’) must be doubled.
Question 3: In which situations should I prefer “quitted” over “quit” (as past tense)?
While both are correct, “quitted” can sometimes sound more formal or emphatic, particularly as a past participle with auxiliary verbs (e.g., “He has quitted his post”). In casual American English, “quit” is more frequently used for both past tense and past participle.
Conclusion
In the debate between “quited” and “quitted,” the answer is clear: quitted is the correct past tense and past participle of the verb “to quit.” “Quited” is a misspelling that should be avoided. Adhering to the correct spelling not only demonstrates linguistic accuracy but also reinforces the standard rules of English grammar, particularly the doubling of consonants in CVC verbs.
Pro Tip: Always double-check the spelling of irregular or tricky verbs. Using the correct form like “quitted” ensures your writing is professional and credible, especially in formal communications where precision is paramount.
