Quit vs Resign: What Is the Difference and When Should You Use Each?

Quit vs resign refers to two ways of leaving a job, but the words differ in tone and use. Both mean that you choose to stop working for an employer.

However, “quit” is more common in daily speech, while “resign” sounds more formal and is often used in professional settings. People may feel unsure which word to use because both describe the same action.

The choice depends on the situation, your audience, and the tone you want to convey.

This guide explains their meanings, origins, key differences, common mistakes, and correct use in everyday and formal writing.

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

Quit and resign both mean to leave a job by choice. The main difference is their tone and use.

Quit: A common, direct word used in everyday speech.
Resign: A more formal word often used in business and professional settings.

Examples:

I decided to quit my job.
She plans to resign from her position.
He quit without giving notice.
The manager resigned after five years.

Both words are correct. Use “quit” in casual talks and “resign” in formal letters, work emails, and official statements.

The Origin of Quit vs Resign

The words “quit” and “resign” have different histories.

The word quit comes from Old French quiter, which meant to release, free, or leave. It later entered English and gained meanings linked to stopping an activity, leaving a place, or giving up a duty.

The word resign comes from Latin resignare, meaning to cancel, give up, or surrender. It passed through French before becoming part of English. Over time, it became closely linked to giving up a job, office, or position.

These words do not have different spellings of the same word. They are separate words with similar meanings. Their main difference today is tone and context.

British English vs American English Spelling

“Quit” and “resign” have the same spelling in British English and American English. Neither word follows a different national spelling rule.

The difference is mainly in how people use these words in daily life and professional settings.

Feature	American English	British English
Common everyday word	Quit	Quit
Formal word for leaving a job	Resign	Resign
Past tense of quit	Quit	Quit
Past tense of resign	Resigned	Resigned
Formal notice	Resignation letter	Resignation letter
Common phrase	Quit my job	Quit my job
Formal phrase	Resign from a role	Resign from a role

Examples:

American English: I quit my job last week.
British English: I quit my job last week.
American English: She resigned from her position.
British English: She resigned from her position.

Both forms are correct in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking regions.

Which Spelling Should You Use?

Since “quit” and “resign” are both correct spellings, your choice should depend on your audience and purpose.

For American English

Use “quit” when speaking with friends or discussing work in a casual setting. Use “resign” in a formal email, official letter, or workplace announcement.

Example: “I am writing to resign from my position.”

For British English and Commonwealth Countries

The same rule applies in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and other Commonwealth countries.

“Quit” is common in everyday speech. “Resign” is often better for formal workplace communication.

Example: “Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation.”

For a Global Audience

Use “resign” when writing to an employer, manager, or business contact. It sounds professional and clear across many English-speaking workplaces.

Use “quit” when you want a simple and direct tone.

Practical tip: If you are leaving a job and writing to your manager, “resign” is usually the safer choice.

Common Mistakes with Quit vs Resign

People often use these words in the wrong context or make errors with their verb forms.

Mistake 1: Using Quit in Every Formal Message

Incorrect: I am quitting my position, effective immediately.

Better: I am resigning from my position, effective immediately.

The first sentence is not grammatically wrong, but the second often sounds more formal.

Mistake 2: Using Resign Without the Right Preposition

Incorrect: She resigned her job yesterday.

Better: She resigned from her job yesterday.

You can also say, “She resigned her position yesterday.” In this case, no “from” is needed.

Mistake 3: Writing Resign as Resigned in the Present Tense

Incorrect: I resigned from my job tomorrow.

Correct: I will resign from my job tomorrow.

Use “resign” after “will” to talk about a future action.

Mistake 4: Confusing Quit and Resign With Being Fired

Incorrect: He was resigned from his job.

Correct: He resigned from his job.

“Resign” means to leave by choice. “Be fired” means an employer ends the job. “Be dismissed” is another formal term for being removed from a job.

Mistake 5: Using the Wrong Past Tense of Quit

Incorrect: I quitted my job last month.

Correct: I quit my job last month.

“Quit” usually has the same form in the present and past tense in modern English.

Mistake 6: Assuming Resign Always Means Giving Two Weeks’ Notice

Incorrect idea: You can only resign if you give two weeks’ notice.

Correct idea: Resignation means choosing to leave a job or position. The notice period depends on your contract, workplace rules, and local law.

Quit vs Resign in Everyday Examples

Both words can appear in emails, news reports, social media posts, and formal documents. The best choice depends on the tone and setting.

1. In Emails

Use “resign” for a formal message to your employer.

Example:

Subject: Resignation Notice

Dear Ms. Taylor,

I am writing to resign from my position as a sales assistant. My last working day will be October 30, in line with my notice period.

Thank you for the support and experience I have gained during my time here.

Kind regards,
Alex

2. In News Reports

News reports often use “resign” when a leader, official, or senior employee leaves a role.

Example: “The company director resigned from her position on Monday.”

“Quit” may appear in a more direct or informal headline.

Example: “Several workers quit after the policy change.”

3. On Social Media

“Quit” is often more natural in casual posts.

Examples:

I finally quit my job and started a new chapter.
Thinking about quitting my job to follow my dream.
He resigned from his role after years of service.

The best word depends on the tone of the post.

4. In Formal Writing

Use “resign” in official letters, reports, and workplace documents.

Examples:

The employee resigned from the company.
The board accepted her resignation.
He submitted his resignation letter on Friday.

“Quit” is still correct, but it may sound less formal in these settings.

5. In Everyday Conversation

People often choose “quit” when speaking with family and friends.

Examples:

I want to quit my job.
Why did you quit?
She quit because she found a better job.

You can also say, “I resigned because I found a better job.” This sounds more formal.

Quit vs Resign – Google Trends & Usage Data

Search interest in “quit vs resign” may change over time, but exact popularity depends on the country, date range, and search terms being compared.

Without a live Google Trends check, it would be misleading to claim that one word has a specific search volume or is more popular in a certain country.

The following points describe common language use, not measured search rankings.

Search term or phrase	Likely context	Main purpose
Quit my job	Everyday English	Talking about leaving work
Resign from my job	Professional English	Formal workplace communication
Resignation letter	Career and business writing	Writing an official notice
Quit vs resign	English learning	Understanding the difference
How to resign professionally	Career advice	Leaving a job politely
Quit without notice	Employment advice	Understanding immediate departure

How to Check Google Trends

You can compare the words using Google Trends.

Enter “quit” and “resign” as separate search terms.
Select a country, such as the United States or United Kingdom.
Choose a time range, such as the past 12 months.
Compare interest over time and by region.
Check related queries to understand what users want to know.

Remember that Google Trends shows relative search interest, not exact monthly search volume. Search interest also does not prove that one word is grammatically better than the other.

Quit vs Resign: Comparison Table

Feature	Quit	Resign
Meaning	To stop working or leave a job	To formally give up a job or position
Tone	Casual or direct	Formal or professional
Common use	Daily speech and informal writing	Workplace letters and official statements
Present tense	Quit	Resign
Past tense	Quit	Resigned
-ing form	Quitting	Resigning
Noun form	Quitting	Resignation
Example	I quit my job.	I resigned from my position.
Best setting	Casual conversations	Formal workplace communication

Both words can describe the same action. The main difference is the tone, not the basic meaning.

FAQS

1. Is it better to say quit or resign?

“Resign” is usually better for formal workplace communication. “Quit” is more common in casual speech. Both words are correct.

2. Does quit mean the same as resign?

They have similar meanings when talking about leaving a job by choice. However, “resign” often sounds more formal, while “quit” is more direct.

3. Is quit a professional word?

Yes. “Quit” is grammatically correct and can appear in professional writing. However, “resign” is often preferred in official letters and formal messages.

4. Is resigning the same as being fired?

No. Resigning means choosing to leave a job. Being fired means the employer ends your employment.

5. What is the past tense of quit?

The past tense of “quit” is usually “quit.”

Example: “I quit my job last year.”

6. What is the noun form of resign?

The noun form is “resignation.”

Example: “She submitted her resignation yesterday.”

7. Can I resign without giving notice?

This depends on your employment contract, local law, and workplace rules. Check the terms that apply to your job before deciding to leave without notice.

8. Should I write quit or resign in a resignation letter?

Use “resign” in a formal resignation letter. For example, “I am writing to resign from my position as a project manager.”

Conclusion

The correct choice in “quit vs resign” depends on context: both words are spelled correctly, but “quit” is more casual, while “resign” is more formal.

Use “quit” in everyday conversations and “resign” in professional emails, official letters, and workplace announcements.

Before leaving a job, check your contract and notice requirements, and communicate your decision clearly

For more help with workplace language, read our related guide on “accept vs except” to learn how similar-looking words can change the meaning of a sentence.