not quite

USAGE SUMMARY

"not quite" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that the thing in question is close to being true or accurate but not quite there. For example, you could say, "I'm not quite sure what the answer to that question is."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not quite.

The New York Times

Not quite, he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Not quite Illinois.

The New York Times

Or maybe not quite.

The New York Times - Books

OK, not quite.

The New York Times

That's not quite accurate.

The New Yorker

Well, not quite everything.

The New York Times

Like, not quite pointy?

The New Yorker

Not quite the same.

The New York Times

That's not quite right.

The New York Times

Not quite, Woody!

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "not quite" with a specific reason or explanation to add clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, "The analysis is not quite accurate because it omits recent data."

Common error

Avoid relying on "not quite" as a standalone response. Always provide context or further explanation to prevent confusion or misinterpretation. Without supporting details, your meaning can be unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not quite" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate approximation or a lack of complete accuracy. As Ludwig AI highlights, it suggests that something is close to a certain state but hasn't fully reached it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Not quite" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something is close to being accurate or complete, but not entirely so. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. With strong roots in News & Media, it also finds common use in Science and Formal & Business contexts. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to follow it with a specific explanation. Alternatives like "almost but not quite" and "not exactly" offer similar nuanced meanings. Keep in mind the context to make the best choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost but not quite

Emphasizes the nearness to a state while highlighting the difference.

not exactly

Indicates a lack of complete accuracy or precision.

not entirely

Suggests a partial truth or completion, rather than a full one.

not completely

Implies that something is unfinished or lacks totality.

close, but no cigar

An idiomatic expression indicating near success but ultimate failure.

near, but far

Highlights the proximity and the remaining distance to a goal.

somewhat off

Indicates a deviation from an expected or correct state.

partially true

Acknowledges some truth while implying incompleteness.

incompletely

Points to the absence of full completion or perfection.

not really

Signals a denial with a touch of understatement.

FAQs

How can I use "not quite" in a sentence?

You can use "not quite" to indicate that something is close to being accurate or true, but not entirely. For instance, "That's a good attempt, but "not quite" right."

What does "not quite" mean?

"Not quite" means almost, nearly, or not exactly. It expresses that something is close to being a certain way, but it hasn't fully reached that state yet.

Are "not quite" and "not exactly" interchangeable?

While similar, "not quite" often implies a degree of approximation, whereas "not exactly" suggests a lack of precision or accuracy. The best choice depends on the context.

What are some alternatives to using "not quite"?

Alternatives include phrases like "almost but not quite", "not entirely", or "near, but far", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.