qualitatively speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

"qualitatively speaking" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to emphasize the quality of something or to express an opinion that is based on quality rather than quantity. For example, "Qualitatively speaking, the food at that restaurant was superb."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Qualitatively speaking, the '62 originals plucked in the expansion draft and the punchless crew sending Bob Murphy into retirement with blurring recalls of unhappy recaps have more in common than you may think.

The New York Times - Sports

Given the frank exceptionality of those numbers, there is a specious argument to make here about resonance and communion and what it means, qualitatively speaking, to reach huge numbers of people with your art.

The New Yorker

Qualitatively speaking is another matter; I'd rather look at several dance parts of "Billy Elliot" or even a couple of sections of "Fela!" (which I don't much like over all) than most of "Come Fly Away".

The New York Times

Qualitatively speaking, no differentiation should be made between paid and unpaid journalism, but rather, between good and poor journalism.

TechCrunch

Qualitatively speaking, a low ETX link can require less energy consumption due to redundant retransmission than a higher ETX link.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Qualitatively speaking, cell alignment revealed a relatively weak influence of the positioning density of the CNF grid patterns on cell shape and ordering.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

In Japan, one must use qualitatively different ways of speaking to individuals from different age groups [11].

Plosone

The equivalent figure for Chernobyl was about ten times larger still.Since the INES scale is modelled to some extent on the earthquake scale, its qualitatively assessed levels are, broadly speaking, logarithmic each is a factor of ten worse, or more severe, than the previous one.

The Economist

The second research question is addressed by looking into the speaking performance of students qualitatively using conversation analysis.

Language Testing in Asia

Generally speaking, we can obtain the similar effect qualitatively via certain probability distribution, such as Rayleigh distribution and Rice distribution [21].

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Mental health concerns were qualitatively identified when respondents spoke about life events or their general state of being in terms of feelings of severe stress, anxiety, sadness and despair, uncontrollable crying, persistent frustration, feelings of worthlessness, no desire to live and suicide attempts.

BMC Women's Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "qualitatively speaking" to introduce an evaluation or observation that relies on descriptive characteristics rather than numerical data. This helps to frame the discussion around subjective qualities.

Common error

Avoid using "qualitatively speaking" when you actually have quantitative data. This phrase should introduce subjective evaluations, not objective measurements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "qualitatively speaking" functions as an introductory adverbial phrase. It modifies the sentence by indicating that the assessment or observation is based on the qualities or characteristics of something, rather than quantifiable data, as evidenced in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "qualitatively speaking" serves as a useful tool to introduce observations based on the qualities of a subject rather than its quantity. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various domains, from scientific literature to news reports. When using this phrase, ensure that your subsequent statements genuinely reflect subjective evaluations rather than quantifiable data. For alternative expressions, consider options like "from a qualitative standpoint" or "in qualitative terms" to add variety to your writing while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from a qualitative standpoint

Emphasizes a specific viewpoint or perspective centered on qualitative aspects.

in qualitative terms

Highlights that the assessment is based on qualities rather than quantities.

regarding its qualities

Directly refers to the attributes or characteristics of something.

in terms of quality

Focuses on the level of excellence or the standard of something.

considering the nature of

Shifts the focus to the inherent characteristics or essence of something.

from a descriptive viewpoint

Highlights an assessment based on detailed descriptions and observations.

assessing its attributes

Emphasizes the evaluation of specific characteristics or features.

by way of its properties

Indicates an evaluation based on the inherent properties or qualities.

in light of its character

Focuses on the fundamental nature or disposition of something.

with respect to its essence

Emphasizes the core or intrinsic qualities of something.

FAQs

How can I use "qualitatively speaking" in a sentence?

Use "qualitatively speaking" to introduce a statement about the nature or characteristics of something. For example, "Qualitatively speaking, the new design is much more appealing".

What does "qualitatively speaking" mean?

It means to consider something based on its qualities or characteristics rather than quantifiable measurements. It implies a subjective assessment.

Is "qualitatively speaking" formal or informal?

It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it is more commonly found in formal writing and discussions. Consider alternatives like "in qualitative terms" for extremely formal settings.

What are some alternatives to "qualitatively speaking"?

You can use alternatives like "from a qualitative standpoint", "in qualitative terms", or "regarding its qualities" depending on the context.