quoth
Obsolete (for current English) / Very Low (Deliberate Archaism)Poetic, Literary, Humorously archaic, Often used in set phrases or to evoke the past.
Definition
Meaning
An archaic verb meaning 'said', used before the subject.
Used to mark a direct quotation in a poetic or deliberately archaic style. It conveys a sense of timeless wisdom, folklore, or historical quotation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This verb is inherently past tense and only ever used in the first and third person singular ('quoth I', 'quoth he/she'). Its use is formulaic and almost always introduces direct speech. It is a defective verb with no other forms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in modern use. Both treat it as an equally archaic borrowing from literary history.
Connotations
In both varieties, it evokes Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" ('Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."'), which is the most famous modern usage. Connotes either serious poetic tone or ironic, mock-formal humour.
Frequency
Extremely rare in genuine contemporary speech or writing in both regions. Its frequency is tied entirely to deliberate stylistic choice.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SUBJ (he/I) + QUOTH + DIRECT QUOTE (inverted order)QUOTH + SUBJ (he/I) + DIRECT QUOTE (poetic inversion)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only when directly quoting archaic texts or in specific literary analysis.
Everyday
Not used in genuine conversation. May appear in humorous or jocular imitation of old-fashioned speech.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- 'Tis but a scratch,' quoth the knight, glancing at his severed arm.
- 'The train is delayed again,' quoth the station announcer, to the crowd's groans.
- 'I'll have a pint of the usual,' quoth the regular, settling at the bar.
American English
- 'The database is down,' quoth the IT guy, shrugging helplessly.
- 'We're out of pumpkin spice,' quoth the barista, dashing autumnal hopes.
- 'I object!' quoth the attorney, rising dramatically.
adverb
British English
- No examples - not used as an adverb.
American English
- No examples - not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- No examples - not used as an adjective.
American English
- No examples - not used as an adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Not applicable for A2 level. The word is archaic.)
- 'Hello,' quoth the old man to the children.
- The cat looked at me and, 'Meow,' quoth she.
- 'The evidence is clear,' quoth the detective, laying the photographs on the table.
- 'This policy is unsustainable,' quoth the economist during the radio interview.
- 'Thus have I politicly begun my reign,' quoth the new CEO, echoing Shakespeare's Henry IV.
- 'All that glisters is not gold,' quoth the inscription on the old, leaden casket.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember the famous line: "Quoth the Raven, 'Nevermore'" from Poe's poem. The word sounds like 'quote' + 'th' (old ending), which is exactly its function—to 'quote' someone from the past.
Conceptual Metaphor
PAST IS ANOTHER COUNTRY / WISDOM IS ANCIENT: Using 'quoth' metaphorically frames the following statement as coming from a distant, authoritative, or timeless source.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- It is NOT the modern verb 'to quote' (цитировать). It is specifically the past tense of an obsolete verb 'to quethe' (сказать).
- The subject often comes after the verb, unlike modern English. "Quoth he" = "Сказал он."
- Avoid using it in any context where you would normally use 'said' (сказал) in contemporary English.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in the present tense (e.g., 'He quoths').
- Using it without a subject (e.g., 'He said, "Hello," quoth.').
- Using it for indirect speech (e.g., 'He quoth that he was tired.').
- Applying it to plural subjects (e.g., 'Quoth they').
Practice
Quiz
What is the correct modern interpretation of the verb 'quoth'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not in standard, contemporary speech or writing. It is an archaic form used only for specific poetic, literary, or humorous effects.
Generally, no. Its use would be considered highly stylized and inappropriate for most formal academic or business writing, unless you are analyzing its use in a text or deliberately employing an archaic style for rhetorical effect.
'Quote' is a modern verb meaning to repeat someone's exact words. 'Quoth' is an archaic past tense verb that does the same thing grammatically but is only used in the fixed forms 'quoth I/he/she' and immediately introduces the quoted words. They share a common etymological root.
It is the iconic line from Edgar Allan Poe's 1845 narrative poem "The Raven." The poem's melancholic tone and repetitive structure made it immensely popular, cementing this archaic construction in the cultural memory as a symbol of ominous, prophetic speech.