just quite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just quite" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect in most contexts.
It can be used informally to emphasize a degree of something, but it is generally better to choose one of the two words for clarity. Example: "I am just quite tired after the long day."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But I'm normally just quite relaxed.

Independent

It just quite simply makes you cool.

The New York Times

"I was just quite shy," she says.

Independent

It's all just quite limited".

The Guardian - Tech

It was just quite marvellous!

The Guardian - Music

It is all just quite desperately sad.

The New York Times - Books

It's just quite remarkable how he's managed.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm just quite fascinated by it all.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The majority might just quite like Christmas.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I was just quite interested in getting things done".

The Guardian

"I felt she was just quite a misguided person.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "just quite" is understood, consider if a single word like "slightly" or "somewhat" might provide clearer and more concise communication.

Common error

Avoid using "just quite" in formal contexts such as academic papers or business reports. It can sound imprecise and less professional. Opt for more definitive language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just quite" functions as an adverbial modifier, qualifying the degree or intensity of an adjective or verb. As shown by Ludwig, it softens the impact of the word it modifies, suggesting a moderate level.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "just quite" is a common way to express a moderate degree or qualification, as demonstrated by numerous examples from Ludwig. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI shows that it is often better to choose a single word or a more precise phrase for clarity, especially in formal writing. It functions as an adverbial modifier, softening the impact of the word it modifies. While used in news and media, it leans toward a neutral to informal register. Consider alternatives like "slightly", "somewhat", or "simply quite" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only quite

Replaces "just" with "only", maintaining the meaning of slightly or moderately.

simply quite

Substitutes "just" with "simply", emphasizing the straightforward nature of the qualification.

merely quite

Uses "merely" instead of "just" to convey a sense of limitation or insignificance.

really quite

Emphasizes the degree of qualification with "really", making it slightly stronger than "just quite".

somewhat

Offers a more concise alternative, indicating a moderate degree.

slightly

Provides a simpler synonym for "just quite", focusing on a small degree.

kind of

Offers a more casual alternative, indicating approximation.

pretty much

Indicates approximation and broad agreement.

almost

Indicates being close to a certain quality or state

nearly

Indicates close approximation.

FAQs

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

You can use "just quite" to indicate a moderate degree or extent, as in "I am "just quite tired"" or "The movie was "just quite good"".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "just quite"?

Similar phrases include "only quite", "simply quite", "somewhat", and "slightly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "just" or "quite" alone instead of "just quite"?

In many cases, using "just" or "quite" alone can be more effective. For example, instead of "The food was just quite good", you might say "The food was "just good"" or "The food was "quite good"", depending on the intended emphasis.

When should I avoid using the phrase "just quite"?

Avoid using "just quite" in formal writing or when precision is essential. It can be perceived as vague or imprecise. More formal alternatives might be more appropriate depending on the specific context of your writing.