absolutely quite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely quite" is not correct and is generally not usable in written English.
It is a contradictory expression, as "absolutely" implies totality while "quite" suggests a lesser degree. Example: "The movie was absolutely quite entertaining, but I expected more."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Everybody thinks it's terrific, but it can be absolutely quite lonely".

The New York Times

So there is absolutely quite a lot of coal around... so if Australia were to stop all of its coal exports it would not reduce global emissions one iota.

The Guardian

It is the correct application for Newsweek and The Daily Beast, which are absolutely quite clear.

TechCrunch

Absolutely, quite a bit.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

They were absolutely, and quite rightly, in love with GMTV and what it stood for.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We have absolutely seen quite a few more volunteers, many of whom specifically refer to wanting to turn the political darkness into some sort of light by helping other people in a direct way," says We Are Family co-director Mark Andersen.

The Washington Post

ARNOTT: Absolutely not quite as bad!

Forbes

"Fernando Alonso, Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton, you saw absolutely everybody quite upset about the accident that had occurred".

BBC

On its streets you wander through yesterday and tomorrow, from ancient history to accelerating future, sometimes in the same shimmering minute, and there is nowhere, absolutely nowhere, quite like it in our world or in our time.

BBC

"Fernando Alonso, Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton, you saw absolutely everybody quite upset about the accident that had occurred". Having been taken by ambulance from the circuit to nearby Mie General Hospital, CT scans revealed Bianchi had a severe head injury.

BBC

There is absolutely nothing quite like Erika Klash.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "absolutely quite" in formal writing. It is often perceived as contradictory, as "absolutely" implies totality while "quite" suggests a lesser degree. Consider alternatives like "completely" or "entirely" to ensure clarity and precision.

Common error

Be careful of using too many qualifiers with strong adverbs. Phrases like "absolutely quite" can weaken your statement by creating ambiguity. Choose the most appropriate word to convey your intended meaning directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely quite" functions as an adverbial modifier, attempting to intensify or qualify a statement. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this combination is generally considered incorrect due to the contradictory nature of the words used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "absolutely quite" is an adverbial modifier that attempts to blend emphasis and qualification. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect due to the contradictory nature of "absolutely" and "quite". While it occasionally appears in news and media sources, it is best avoided in formal writing. Consider using alternative phrases such as "completely", "entirely", or "certainly", depending on the intended meaning. The phrase's infrequent usage and questionable correctness suggest it should be used with caution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certainly quite

Replaces "absolutely" with "certainly", softening the emphasis slightly.

extremely quite

Substitutes "absolutely" with "extremely", maintaining a high degree of intensity but with a slight shift in tone.

completely quite

Uses "completely" instead of "absolutely", indicating a full extent but still combined with "quite".

entirely quite

Similar to "completely quite", replacing "absolutely" to suggest a full extent with a slightly different connotation.

really quite

Employs "really" in place of "absolutely", reducing the forcefulness of the expression.

definitely quite

Replaces "absolutely" with "definitely", indicating certainty while still retaining the qualifier "quite".

absolutely utterly

Uses "utterly" instead of "quite", strengthening the emphasis.

absolutely perfectly

Replaces "quite" with "perfectly", indicating a flawless degree.

absolutely completely

Combines "absolutely" and "completely" for emphasis, removing "quite" which is contradictory.

perfectly quite

Replaces "absolutely" with "perfectly", creating a phrase that may be interpreted as unusual.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to use "absolutely quite"?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "absolutely quite" is considered grammatically "incorrect" in standard English. It combines an absolute term with a qualifier, creating a contradictory effect.

What are some alternatives to "absolutely quite"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "completely", "entirely", or "certainly" to convey a similar meaning without the grammatical ambiguity.

When is it appropriate to use "absolutely quite"?

While not strictly correct, "absolutely quite" might be used informally to add emphasis or express slight surprise, but it's best to avoid it in formal or professional writing. It is a contradictory expression.

How does the meaning change if I replace "absolutely" with "really" in the phrase "absolutely quite"?

Replacing "absolutely" with "really" (i.e., "really quite") softens the emphasis. "Really quite" suggests something is moderately so, whereas "absolutely quite" attempts to blend total certainty with qualification, albeit incorrectly.