Quite heavily

USAGE SUMMARY

'Quite heavily' is a valid phrase in written English.
It is most commonly used to describe the degree of intensity or amount of something. For example: "The rain was falling quite heavily outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Apparently quite heavily.

The Guardian - Sport

You're also quite heavily tattooed.

The Guardian

It's a phrase I resent quite heavily".

Independent

I remember Alan taking it quite heavily.

The Guardian - Sport

It relies quite heavily on pruning and grafting.

The Economist

He features quite heavily on your third album, Uptown Special.

The Guardian - Music

Views are also shaded quite heavily by race.

The Guardian

The jaw itself may be quite heavily constructed like that of gracile australopiths.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lipotransfer is becoming more popular – it featured quite heavily at our last scientific meeting".

Independent

These imperial provinces might be "unarmed," but many of them were garrisoned, some quite heavily.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I censor myself quite heavily - extremely heavily really," Rees tells me.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "quite heavily" with verbs or adjectives that benefit from increased precision, such as "rely", "invest", "influenced", or "dependent". This helps to create vivid and descriptive sentences.

Common error

While "quite heavily" is a valid and useful phrase, avoid overusing it within a single piece of writing. Repetitive use can make your writing sound monotonous. Instead, vary your vocabulary by using synonyms such as "significantly", "considerably", or "intensely" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite heavily" functions as an adverbial modifier, enhancing the intensity of a verb, adjective, or another adverb. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid construction used to express a significant degree.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quite heavily" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that serves to intensify the meaning of a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the examples show it commonly appears in news, media and scientific writing. While it's acceptable in both formal and informal contexts, it's best to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "significantly" or "considerably" to maintain writing variety. Using "quite heavily" effectively can enhance the nuance and emphasis in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very heavily

Emphasizes intensity but replaces "quite" with "very".

considerably

Indicates a substantial amount or degree, omitting "heavily".

substantially

Indicates a significant amount or degree, similar to considerably.

significantly

Highlights the importance or impact of something, differing slightly in connotation.

markedly

Indicates a noticeable or distinct degree.

to a great extent

Uses a more formal structure to convey a large degree.

intensely

Focuses on the intensity of an action or feeling, without specifying the degree explicitly.

noticeably

Similar to markedly, but focuses on being easily observed.

in a major way

Uses a more informal structure to convey a large impact.

remarkably

Emphasizes the surprising or noteworthy nature of the degree.

FAQs

How can I use "quite heavily" in a sentence?

"Quite heavily" is used to emphasize the degree or intensity of an action or state. For example, "The project relied "quite heavily" on external funding", or "The area was "quite heavily" populated".

What are some alternatives to "quite heavily"?

Alternatives include "very heavily", "considerably", or "significantly". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "quite heavily" in formal or informal writing?

"Quite heavily" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, although it's more common in news and media or general discourse. In highly formal or scientific contexts, alternatives like "substantially" or "considerably" may be preferred.

Can "quite heavily" be used with both positive and negative connotations?

Yes, "quite heavily" can be used in both positive and negative contexts, depending on the verb or adjective it modifies. For instance, "invested "quite heavily"" could be positive, while "criticized "quite heavily"" carries a negative connotation.