The VITE and RAPIDE Trap: Don't Make This Common Mistake

"Vite" and "rapide" both translate to "quickly" in English, but they have subtle differences in use and understanding.

And why isn’t is ever “vitement” anyway? ... The VITE and RAPIDE Trap: Don't Make This Common Mistake.

Today you will discover:

• The difference between VITE and RAPIDE

• How to use VITE and RAPIDE correctly

• How to remember which one to use

The difference between VITE and RAPIDE

Both of them, VITE and RAPIDE are translated in English by “quickly”. However, they do have a little difference depending on the context and grammatically they are different.

How to use VITE and RAPIDE correctly

Let’s start with VITE.

First, this French word is more informal and you will likely hear more in everyday conversations.

It is more direct or urgent.

Besides, it’s an adverb. In other words, you want it to describe actions or verbs.

Here’s an example:

• Elle a couru très vite pour attraper son bus. >>> She ran really quickly to catch her bus.

In this example, we describe the action of running.

The next one expresses the same, but you apply it in another way.

This time, it is formal.

You need it to describe things or people because it is an adjective.

Let's look:

• C’est une voiture très rapide. >>> It’s a very fast car.

In this example, we describe the car.

How to use RAPIDEMENT and VITE.

The word VITE can also be an adverb and describe an action.

Besides, if you add the suffix “ment” to an adjective, you obtain an adverb.

Therefore, RAPIDEMENT describes an action.

Let’s have an example with the present tense:

• Il répond rapidement. >>> He answers quickly.
• Il répond vite. >>> He answers quickly.

Both are synonyms. Simply remember that RAPIDEMENT is more formal than VITE.

Be careful when you apply them in the past tense because you don’t put them in the same place!

• Il a répondu rapidement. >>> He answered quickly.
• Il a vite répondu. >>> He answered quickly.

How to remember which one to use

To start with, choose the right one according to the context. Is it formal or not?

Then, are you describing a person? Something? Or an action? Remember that VITE can be either an adjective or an adverb,

But RAPIDE is an adjective and RAPIDEMENT is an adverb.

Finally, check the tense because you will put the VITE or RAPIDEMENT before or after the verb for the past tense.

I have other mini-lessons that may interest you:

12 verbs with the preposition À

Nouveau and variations of NEW

Do you mix up some other words like RAPIDE and VITE? Always happy to hear from you . . .