Quite even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Quite even" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward in many contexts.
It can be used to emphasize a state of balance or equality, but it is better suited for informal speech rather than formal writing. Example: "The scores were quite even, making the game exciting until the very end."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

So my bot crawls, though mainly in circles (I believe the legs aren't quite even).

University of California, Berkeley

Some people are happy cultivating drama, but I'm personally quite even and easy-going.

Independent

Grier, usually quite even tempered, was offended and angered by Parcells's remarks.

The New York Times - Sports

It might have gone 31 Ne2 Rc4 32 Rc7 c5, quite even and without winning chances.

The New York Times - Arts

"It used to be quite even, in New Order, with four of us.

The Guardian - Music

After seven quite even rounds, Berbick dominated the last three and ran out the winner on a unanimous verdict.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

It was not quite evening.

The New Yorker

All in all, I thought Bernanke's comments were quite even-handed, and certainly much easier to understand than the incomprehensible blah-blah that many gold standard advocates like to indulge in.

Forbes

One was "then", the other "quite".' Even in later life, once she had become a celebrated talent and a London socialite, Rhys was dogged by self-loathing and depressive rages which alternated with phases of creative activity.

The Guardian

She's quite pretty even.

The New Yorker

M: Quite attractive even.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Quite even" when you want to emphasize a near-perfect balance or equality between two or more elements. For example, "The competition was quite even, making it a thrilling match."

Common error

Avoid using "Quite even" in casual conversation where simpler alternatives like "fairly balanced" or "almost equal" would sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Quite even" functions as an intensifier (quite) modifying an adjective (even). It describes a state of near-equality or balance, softening the absolute nature of "even". Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Quite even" is used to describe something that is nearly balanced or equal. While Ludwig AI analysis deems it acceptable, it's crucial to be mindful of the context, as it might sound slightly formal in casual conversations. Alternatives like "fairly balanced" or "nearly equal" could be more appropriate in informal settings. The phrase appears commonly in news, scientific articles, and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Fairly balanced

Replaces "quite even" with synonyms that emphasize equilibrium.

Relatively equal

Indicates a comparison where the items are nearly the same.

Nearly identical

Suggests a high degree of similarity, bordering on being the same.

Almost the same

Emphasizes the slight difference between the compared items.

Roughly equivalent

Highlights an approximate level of equality.

More or less balanced

Acknowledges minor imbalances while maintaining an overall sense of equilibrium.

In close equilibrium

Uses a more formal tone to describe a balanced state.

Not far apart

Indicates a small difference between two or more things.

Closely matched

Highlights the similarity and competitiveness between two entities.

Comparatively uniform

Focuses on the consistency and lack of variation.

FAQs

What does "Quite even" mean?

"Quite even" means nearly balanced or equal. It suggests that two or more things are very similar or comparable in some aspect.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "Quite even"?

It is appropriate to use "Quite even" when describing situations, scores, or distributions that are nearly balanced or equal, though perhaps not perfectly so. Consider using "fairly balanced" or "relatively equal" as alternatives depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "Quite even"?

Alternatives include "fairly balanced", "relatively equal", or "nearly identical". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of similarity you want to convey.

Is "Quite even" formal or informal?

"Quite even" is neither strictly formal nor informal; however, it might be perceived as slightly more formal than alternatives like "almost equal". Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.