Using the verb 'to quit' instead of verb the 'to desert'

[Jerry]

Synonym Search, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #108 "Synonyms for surrender", question 2

The island was so quiet, it looked like all living creatures had ......... it.

(a) quitted
(b) resigned
(c) deserted
(d) forgotten

Synonym Search, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #108 "Synonyms for surrender", answer 2

The island was so quiet, it looked like all living creatures had deserted it.

Correct answer: (c) deserted

Your answer was: incorrect
The island was so quiet, it looked like all living creatures had quitted it.
_________________________

Could you explain me why I can't use verb "to quit" instead of verb "to desert" in this sentence?

Jerry

[Maddy]

Hello,

The same question???

Thanks

Maddy

[Beeesneees]

... had quit it' would just about be acceptable, but not the tense 'quitted'.
_________________
Cheers m' dears!

[Alan]

Please activate Javascript in your browser to listen to this audio recording

58 Listened

Download mp3	Click to listen

Hi,

'Quit' has the sense of leave behind or go away from but is most associated with leaving with a certain amount of feeling as in: He was so angry with his employers that he quit his post as director the following day. 'Desert' again has the idea of leave behind but usually suggests you leave something and as a result you show that you no longer want to support someone or something as in: Thousands of people deserted the political party when the new leader took over. That is the sense expressed in the test sentence indicating that no one wanted to live there any longer. The word 'deserter' is used for someone who leaves the army without permission. The adjective 'deserted' describes a place that is empty where there is no one present as in: At midnight everyone is at home and the town square is deserted.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Alan]

Please activate Javascript in your browser to listen to this audio recording

57 Listened

Download mp3	Click to listen

Hi,

While I was slaving away with my answer, I see the ubiquitous Bev slipped a quick one in and having read it, I wonder what is behind this comment:....

[Issa1]

Dear Friends!
"After her husband's death, Marion was desperate and surrendered all hope for a better future". Explain me, please. Why the verb "surrender" has been chosen? In my opinion it will be better choosing the verb "lose".
"After her husband's death, Marion was desperate and lost all hope for a better future"

[Beeesneees]

It's the writer's personal choice. Both verbs are fine.

'Surrendered' has more of an idea of Marion going through the action of giving up hope, whereas 'lost' carries the idea that it has simply gone.

"Explain to me..." not "explain me..."
_________________
Cheers m' dears!

[Issa1]

Dear Beeesneees!
Thanks! Explain to me, please, what does it mean "lay-buy".

[Beeesneees]

Do you mean 'lay-by'?

http://oald8.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/dictionary/lay-by
_________________
Cheers m' dears!

[Maddy]

[Alan]

Hi Maddy,

My question, too but so far unanswered. 'Quitted' is an alternative for 'quit' in the past simple and past participle.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice

[Beeesneees]

[Alan]

I can't honestly see that feasibility has anything to do with it. The point is that 'quit' 'quitted' 'had quitted/had quit' is the wrong verb in that test sentence. And that's why I was at pains to explain the difference between 'quit' and 'desert' above.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Prepositions

[Maddy]

[Maddy]