quite a time

USAGE SUMMARY

'quite a time' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was especially difficult or challenging. For example, "She had quite a time trying to find the right dress for the concert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

It was quite a time for loving.

The New York Times - Books

Boden are having quite a time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Grocers having quite a time of it.

The New Yorker

It's quite a time range, if not a stylistic one.

The New York Times - Arts

The friend is having quite a time "fighting the drink".

The New Yorker

That is quite a time saver for the patient.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

And that's quite a time-consuming effort for any developer and expensive to be able to do".

The Guardian

But even without a five-hour-and-53-minute final the "Ambien Slam", with its night-owl finishes in earlier rounds, remains quite a time-management challenge: one that requires a few days of readjustment, which helps explain why I'm hitting the send button on this Rendezvous post in Melbourne at….3 30 in the morning.

The New York Times

"Many people haven't yet bothered to implement any kind of security solution on their handsets and for those who have, securing handsets with Pin authorisations can be quite a time-consuming process".

BBC

President Vladimir Putin, however, was not expected to watch Trump's inauguration, with a spokesman saying: "I do not think he plans to watch [Trump's inauguration] online, as it is quite a time-taking ceremony".

Vice

MALDI is an offline technique with increased sample preparation requirements: sample preparation for MALDI analysis is quite a time-consuming procedure.

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite a time" to subtly imply a situation was more challenging or enjoyable than directly stated, adding nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "quite a time" excessively in formal or professional writing, as it can come across as informal or lacking precision. Opt for more specific and descriptive language to convey the duration or nature of the period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite a time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the duration or quality of an event or experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. Examples show it describing experiences or periods of varying lengths and characteristics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quite a time" is a versatile phrase used to describe a period or event marked by significance. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and finds frequent application in diverse written contexts, predominantly within News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider more precise alternatives for formal or business writing. Related phrases, like "a considerable period" or "a significant duration", offer similar but subtly different ways to express the idea. The guidance highlights avoiding overuse in formal contexts and encourages leveraging the phrase to subtly imply the nature of the described situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable period

Focuses on the duration implied by "quite a time", highlighting length.

a significant duration

Similar to "a considerable period", but emphasizes the importance of the time span.

a long spell

Emphasizes a continuous period, possibly with a specific characteristic.

an extended duration

Highlights the length and continuation of the time period.

a substantial stretch

Suggests a notable length of time, often used in contexts of hardship or effort.

a noteworthy interval

Stresses the importance or memorability of the time period.

a memorable experience

Shifts focus from duration to the quality and impact of the time.

an eventful period

Highlights the occurrence of significant events during the time.

a challenging phase

Specifies that the time was difficult or presented obstacles.

an interesting juncture

Highlights a particular point in time that is worthy of attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "quite a time" to describe an event or period that was either challenging, enjoyable, or significant. For example, "We had "quite a time" renovating the house" or "It took "quite a time" to finish the project".

What phrases are similar to "quite a time"?

Similar phrases include "a considerable period", "a significant duration", or "a long spell", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "quite a time" appropriate for formal writing?

While "quite a time" is widely understood, it leans towards informal usage. In formal contexts, consider using more precise alternatives like "a substantial period" or "a significant interval".

What's the difference between "quite a time" and "quite a while"?

"Quite a time" can refer to a period marked by specific events or experiences, whereas "quite a while" primarily emphasizes the duration. For example, "We spent quite a while waiting" focuses on the waiting period, while "We had "quite a time" during the trip" highlights the experiences during the trip.