has quite been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has quite been" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect.
It could be used in informal contexts, but it is generally better to avoid it in formal writing. Example: "It has quite been a journey for us, filled with ups and downs."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Then he jumps, landing somewhere that neither he nor drawing has quite been before.

The New York Times - Arts

No one has quite been able to reproduce the classic Motown sound.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So far, nothing has quite been serious enough for Fifa to pull the plug, but who knows?

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Daniel Murphy has not quite been dominant enough.

The Washington Post

But for now, gravity has not quite been repealed yet.

The Economist

And superheroes hadn't quite been invented yet.

The New Yorker

Columbia is having quite the year.

The New York Times

And he's had quite a few.

The New York Times

"The way we have progressed since has been quite exceptional".

BBC

It has not been quite that benign.

The New York Times

It has also been quite steady.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "has quite been" with stronger adverbs like "really", "truly", or "essentially" for a more impactful statement, depending on the context. "Has quite been" works best when you want to subtly understate something.

Common error

Avoid using "has quite been" when you want to emphasize a strong or absolute state. The phrase implies a degree of understatement or incompleteness, so choose a more affirmative expression if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

Grammatically, the phrase "has quite been" functions as part of a verb phrase, indicating a state or condition that is partially or somewhat realized. Ludwig AI helps to highlight examples where this phrase is used to express a nuanced or understated perspective.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has quite been" is grammatically acceptable but relatively rare in modern English. Ludwig AI indicates it functions as part of a verb phrase to express a state or condition that's partially true or subtly understated. While not incorrect, it may sometimes be replaced with stronger or more direct alternatives for clarity or emphasis. As Ludwig AI highlights, its neutral register makes it suitable for various writing contexts, though careful consideration should be given to ensure it accurately conveys the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has really been

Replaces "quite" with "really", intensifying the degree of the state or condition.

has truly been

Substitutes "quite" with "truly", emphasizing the authenticity of the state or condition.

has essentially been

Replaces "quite" with "essentially", indicating the fundamental nature of the state or condition.

has virtually been

Substitutes "quite" with "virtually", suggesting the state or condition is close to being fully realized.

has almost been

Replaces "quite" with "almost", expressing a near completion of the state or condition.

has largely been

Substitutes "quite" with "largely", implying a significant extent of the state or condition.

has mostly been

Replaces "quite" with "mostly", suggesting that the state or condition is predominantly true.

has nearly been

Substitutes "quite" with "nearly", indicating a closeness to the full state or condition.

has effectively been

Replaces "quite" with "effectively", highlighting the practical result of the state or condition.

has practically been

Substitutes "quite" with "practically", suggesting a real-world impact of the state or condition.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "has quite been" to sound more emphatic?

For a more emphatic tone, you can use phrases like "has certainly been", "has definitely been", or "has undoubtedly been" instead of "has quite been".

Is "has quite been" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "has quite been" may sound less formal. Consider using alternatives such as "has truly been" or "has essentially been" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "has quite been" and "has almost been"?

"Has quite been" implies a partial or somewhat realized state, whereas "has almost been" suggests a near completion. The former is less definitive than the latter.

When is it appropriate to use "has quite been"?

Use "has quite been" when you want to express that something is partially true, realized to a certain extent, or subtly understated. It's useful in situations where a strong, definitive statement isn't necessary or appropriate.