quite an active

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite an active" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something that is very engaged or lively, but it needs to be followed by a noun to be grammatically correct. Example: "She is quite an active participant in community events."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"The laureateship is an honour but it's not the kind of honour you can just bask in, so I'm planning to have quite an active two years," she said.

The Guardian - Books

"It was quite difficult at first because we've got quite an active social life and we were going to parties and events and I had this sort of dreadful secret.

The Guardian

One such poem is "From the North", in which the speaker imagines his desired one in pursuit of another adventure: "This Saturday on what corner / will you meet your next friend?" Morgan says that, contrary to what people might imagine, "there was quite an active gay scene in the 50s and 60s - surprisingly active, if you think of Scotland as being a Calvinist country.

The Guardian - Books

Unbeknownst to some, Ferriss is also quite an active Silicon Valley angel investor and startup advisor.

TechCrunch

"There's quite an active campaign" to protest the loss of Miller, which will be effective at the end of May, Zeder says.

Science Magazine

Beth Fischer of the University of Pittsburgh's Survival Skills and Ethics Training Program suggests that grad students sign up for a Toastmasters group at the school, and the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania has quite an active section consisting of scientists young and old.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

As a result of today's news I suspect we'll see quite a few active networks jump to whatever the cheapest premium option is; I don't expect Ning to make it especially easy to port their data to a different service.

TechCrunch

Beside IS 6100 quite a few active mobile elements have been published for C. glutamicum which are of restricted usability of generating a comprehensive random transposon library since they prefer specific sequences, e.g. a triple A or T (IS 1249) [ 20] or palindromic sequences (e.g. IS 14999) [ 23], as a target for integration.

BMC Genomics

If your resolution to get in shape still hasn't quite gelled, consider an active vacation where fitness is factored into your trip.

The Washington Post

In all genealogical systems the sibling term, not quite same and not quite other, serves as an active fault line, necessary for and yet continuously destabilizing definition and classification.

Columbia University

They told me I have high wave of beta up to around 30 meaning that I had quite an fast moving active wave to prevents information coming through.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "quite an active", ensure it is followed by a noun to complete the phrase grammatically. For example, "She is quite an active participant."

Common error

Avoid using "quite an active" without a noun. This can make the sentence sound incomplete. Instead of saying, "He is quite an active", specify what he is active in, such as, "He is quite an active member of the club".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite an active" typically functions as a modifier before a noun, intending to describe the noun's state of being engaged or lively. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is often considered grammatically questionable if the noun is omitted.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

28%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite an active" is used to describe something or someone that is considerably engaged or lively. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it is often considered grammatically incorrect without a following noun. It appears across various contexts, including news, science, and wiki sources, but is most common in news and media. For clearer and more grammatically sound communication, consider alternatives like "very active" or "fairly active". Always ensure the phrase is followed by a noun to avoid grammatical ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very active

Emphasizes a high degree of activity, simplifying the phrase.

fairly active

Indicates activity that is above average but not extreme.

remarkably active

Highlights the surprising or noteworthy level of activity.

considerably active

Stresses the significant amount of activity present.

noticeably active

Focuses on the ease with which the activity can be observed.

substantially active

Indicates a large degree of activity.

moderately active

Suggests a level of activity that is neither high nor low.

somewhat active

Implies a limited degree of activity.

quite engaged

Focuses on the level of involvement and participation.

rather energetic

Highlights the enthusiasm and vigor associated with the activity.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "quite an active" in a sentence?

Ensure that "quite an active" is followed by a noun to describe what is being active. For example, "She's quite an active member of the community."

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "quite an active"?

Consider using alternatives such as "very active", "fairly active", or "remarkably active" depending on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "quite active" instead of "quite an active"?

Yes, "quite active" is often more grammatically sound, especially when describing something in general terms. "Quite an active" usually requires a specific noun following it.

What is the difference between "quite an active" and "very active"?

"Very active" is a straightforward way to express a high level of activity. "Quite an active" can imply a similar level of activity but needs a noun to complete the phrase correctly. In many cases, "very active" is clearer and more direct.