quite an interview

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite an interview" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that the interview was notable or significant in some way, often implying it was impressive or surprising. Example: "After the interview, I realized it was quite an interview that challenged my perspectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It was quite an interview process.

Independent

It was quite an interview.

Huffington Post

"You've only had The Daily Show for one commercial break white folks ain't decided if they like you yet!" Comedian Kevin Hart, who brought Noah a box of ties, participated in a low-key conversation that wasn't quite an interview.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

So it's usually quite an unstructured interview — where they come from, their family members.

The New York Times

In the ensuing conversation with Harty, as described by biographer David Buckley, "the singer made hardly any sense at all throughout what was quite an extensive interview.... Bowie looked completely disconnected and was hardly able to utter a coherent sentence".

Wikipedia

As before, it is quite a long interview so I have given a guide to the order of subjects we talked about, starting with the second part: * whether there are still undercover spies deployed in political groups at the moment and whether the spies are still having intimate relationships with the people they have been sent to spy on.

The Guardian

At 24 minutes it's quite a long interview (so no transcription ready yet, though I'll add one eventually) but an interesting one.

TechCrunch

"That'll be quite a different interview".

Vice

Earlier in the day, Mr. Arafat became quite heated in an interview on CNN, in which he and the journalist Christiane Amanpour tested each other's wills on every point.

The New York Times

Quite a few interviewed voters seemed to believe that "Bridgegate" is a plot cooked up by the leftist media.

The Economist

Even so, there are quite a few interviews conducted by a tracking poll over the course of a week — about 3,000 per week in the Gallup national tracking poll, for instance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While generally acceptable, ensure the level of formality aligns with the communication setting.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "quite" in your writing. While "quite an interview" is acceptable, excessive use of "quite" can weaken your prose. Explore synonyms like "remarkable", "notable", or "significant" to add variety and precision to your descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite an interview" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "interview". It serves to emphasize the interview's noteworthy or remarkable quality. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quite an interview" is a phrase used to describe an interview that was particularly noteworthy or significant. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. To enhance your writing, consider alternatives such as "remarkable interview" or "notable interview" to add variety. Avoid overusing "quite" to maintain the impact of your descriptions. The phrase holds a neutral tone, making it suitable for diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkable interview

Replaces "quite" with "remarkable", emphasizing the exceptional nature of the interview.

an exceptional interview

Highlights the interview's superior quality or performance.

notable interview

Substitutes "quite" with "notable", highlighting the interview's significance or importance.

memorable interview

Replaces "quite" with "memorable", focusing on the lasting impression made by the interview.

significant interview

Emphasizes the importance and impact of the interview.

impressive interview

Highlights the admirable or remarkable qualities of the interview.

extraordinary interview

Suggests the interview was beyond the ordinary.

unforgettable interview

Focuses on the interview's lasting impact and memorability.

uncommon interview

Emphasizes the rarity or unusual nature of the interview.

a very interesting interview

Replaces "quite an" with "a very interesting", softening the emphasis while retaining the core meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "quite an interview" in a sentence?

"Quite an interview" is used to express that an interview was notable or significant. For example: "After the interview, I realized it was "quite an interview" that challenged my perspectives."

What can I say instead of "quite an interview"?

You can use alternatives like "remarkable interview", "memorable interview", or "significant interview" depending on the context.

Is "quite an interview" formal or informal?

"Quite an interview" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly towards the informal side.

What makes an interview "quite an interview"?

An interview might be described as "quite an interview" if it was particularly insightful, challenging, surprising, or otherwise stood out from typical interviews.