quit

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "quit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning to leave or stop, or as an intransitive verb meaning to stop doing something. Example sentence: "I'm going to quit my job next week and take a break from the workforce for awhile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It increased tobacco taxes, implemented a smoking ban in all enclosed public places and workplaces, required labels to have graphic warnings covering at least 65% of the pack and provided services to help people quit.

The Guardian

So I quit my job and started I'mPossible".

The Guardian

An eight-month inquiry by the all party group on mindfulness found frontline public servants could be less likely to fall ill with stress, or quit altogether, if they engage in the increasingly popular meditation practice which involves increasing awareness of the present moment to help control anxiety and depression.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Another witness was a British man who was supposed to join Richard Reid in a shoe-bomb attack in December 2001 but who quit the conspiracy during a trip home after his parents warned him that he better not be a terrorist.

The Guardian

With only an outline sketch of an agreement on the table, many of Europe's most senior policymakers are of the opinion that a crisis point will be reached and that Athens's radical left Syriza government will be forced to either capitulate to Brussels or quit the euro.

The Guardian

Or was she right to quit and make her stand on the TV bulletins and front pages, fed up that she had made her discontents known but not been taken seriously?

The Guardian

Willke quit delivering babies in the late 1960s to oppose abortion, retiring from his medical practice in 1988 to fully devote his time to the anti-abortion movement.

The Guardian

But we can and will rebuild | Tristram Hunt Miliband, who quit as an MP when his brother beat him to the Labour leadership in 2010, said he would not be returning to British politics for now, but hinted he might be more involved in discussions about the future of Labour now that he is finally free of the soap opera surrounding him and his brother.

The Guardian

Last week, of course, the head of Barclays's US investment bank quit anyway and senior colleagues are following suit.

The Guardian - Business

The only surprise is that she quit in terms calibrated to maximise pain in No 10.

The Guardian - Opinion

Former colleagues question her decision to quit at the point of a ceasefire, the suggestion being that she is skittish.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about formally leaving a job or position, consider using "resign from" or "step down" for a more professional tone. While "quit" is acceptable, it can sometimes sound less formal.

Common error

Ensure you are using "quit" to mean to stop or leave, not "quiet" which refers to a state of silence or calmness. Double-check your spelling to avoid this common error.

Linguistic Context

The word "quit" primarily functions as a verb, indicating the act of stopping or leaving something. It can be transitive, requiring an object (e.g., "quit a job"), or intransitive, implying the act of stopping (e.g., "quit smoking"). This is supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "quit" is a versatile verb meaning to stop or leave something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and very common, appearing frequently in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives like "resign from" or "step down" might be preferable in professional settings. Be mindful not to confuse "quit" with "quiet". Overall, "quit" is a straightforward and widely understood term for ending an activity or leaving a position, and examples from Ludwig showcase its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resign from

Focuses specifically on formally leaving a position or job.

give up

Implies abandoning an effort or habit.

step down

Suggests a formal relinquishment of a role or responsibility.

leave

A general term for departing from a place or situation.

abandon

Implies a more permanent and sometimes negative departure.

cease

Indicates a formal or abrupt ending.

discontinue

Suggests a planned or phased cessation.

relinquish

Implies a voluntary surrender of something.

forsake

Carries a stronger emotional connotation of abandoning something cherished.

drop out

Specifically refers to leaving a course, program, or competition.

FAQs

How can I use "quit" in a sentence?

You can use "quit" to describe leaving a job, like in the sentence, "I'm going to "quit my job" next week". It can also mean to stop doing something, such as "I need to "quit smoking"".

What's a more formal way to say "quit" when leaving a job?

If you're seeking a more formal alternative to "quit" in a professional context, consider using "resign from" or "step down".

What can I say instead of "quit" when stopping a habit?

When you want to express stopping a habit, consider using "give up" as a substitute for "quit". For example, "I want to "give up coffee"".

Is it ever wrong to use the word "quit"?

While "quit" is generally acceptable, it might be too informal for certain professional or academic contexts. In such cases, consider opting for alternatives like "cease", "discontinue", or "relinquish" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.