quite a large

USAGE SUMMARY

"quite a large" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could write: "The dog was quite a large breed, standing at over two feet tall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And really quite a large one.

Independent

He had drawn quite a large crowd.

The New Yorker

Iran has quite a large motor industry.

The Economist

Rebecca's fortune is quite a large one.

The New York Times - Books

"There's quite a large deposit there.

MIT Technology Review

"That was quite a large rise.

The Guardian

"That's a quite a large number".

The New York Times

Unfortunately you need quite a large window to see it.

Harvard University

"As you can see he's quite a large man.

Independent

"Net, there was quite a large hole," he says.

The Economist

I handled quite a large number of mold cases.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "quite a large", ensure that the noun it modifies is countable. It's best suited for describing tangible items or quantifiable amounts. For instance: "quite a large number of students" or "quite a large building".

Common error

Avoid using "quite a large" with non-countable nouns. For example, instead of saying "quite a large information", use "quite a lot of information" or "a considerable amount of information".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite a large" primarily functions as a pre-modifier to a noun, serving to intensify the adjective "large". Ludwig shows that this phrase is frequently used to describe something that exceeds normal size or quantity, adding emphasis beyond simply stating it is "large".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

23%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quite a large" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the size, extent, or quantity of something. Ludwig AI affirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various registers, from news and media to academic writing. While alternatives exist, such as "considerably big" or "remarkably sizable", "quite a large" maintains a balance of formality and clarity, making it a reliable choice for expressing a significant magnitude. Remember to use it with countable nouns and avoid overuse for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably big

Emphasizes the size but replaces "large" with "big" and "quite" with "considerably".

substantially huge

Emphasizes the magnitude with "huge" and uses "substantially" to highlight the degree.

distinctly massive

Highlights the immense size using "massive" and "distinctly" to show clear distinction.

remarkably sizable

Uses "sizable" to convey size and "remarkably" for emphasis, suggesting something noteworthy.

significantly immense

Focuses on the impressive scale, replacing "large" with "immense" and "quite" with "significantly".

markedly great

Uses "great" to indicate size and "markedly" to emphasize the noticeable difference.

noticeably extensive

Focuses on extent rather than pure size, using "extensive" and "noticeably" for a clear impact.

decidedly grand

Indicates impressiveness in size or scope with "grand" and uses "decidedly" for emphasis.

appreciably vast

Indicates a significant degree of vastness, replacing "large" with "vast" and "quite" with "appreciably".

eminently voluminous

Highlights the large volume or capacity, using "voluminous" and "eminently" for a strong impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "quite a large" to describe something of considerable size, amount, or extent. For example, "The company has "quite a large number" of employees" or "That's "quite a large amount" of money".

What are some alternatives to saying "quite a large"?

Alternatives include phrases like "considerably big", "remarkably sizable", or "noticeably extensive", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "quite a large" formal or informal?

"Quite a large" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might opt for alternatives like "substantially huge" or "significantly immense" for a more elevated style.

Can I use "quite a large" to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "quite a large" can be used to describe abstract concepts, such as "quite a large impact" or "quite a large influence". Just ensure the combination of words makes sense within the context.