quite answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite answer" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be an attempt to convey a degree of certainty or completeness in a response, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "I couldn't quite answer the question during the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Phillips does not quite answer.

The Guardian

They do not, quite, answer it.

The Economist

But it doesn't quite answer the question.

The Guardian - Arts

Why she stopped she can't quite answer.

The Guardian - Books

"I can't quite answer that," he says.

The Guardian - Books

The response did not quite answer the question.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

This week, Motown answers the question by not quite answering it.

The New Yorker

"How can I say anything bad about heroin?" she says, not quite answering the question.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The gay literature I read in the years after that never quite answered my questions.

The Guardian - Books

"I think we are all grateful for Mr. Spitzer," he responded, not quite answering the question.

The New York Times

The Met's quartet in this run may not have quite answered that call, but the job got done.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, consider alternatives like "fully answer" or "completely answer" to convey the intended degree of completeness.

Common error

Avoid using "quite answer" when a more precise adverb like "fully" or "adequately" would better reflect the completeness of the response. Vague qualifiers can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite answer" functions as an adverb-verb combination, typically used to express that an answer or response is not entirely complete or satisfactory. The presence of "quite" modifies the verb "answer", indicating a degree of incompleteness. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase, while frequently used, is not correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "quite answer" appears with some frequency, Ludwig AI considers it an incorrect form. It is used to indicate that a response is incomplete or not entirely satisfactory, primarily in news and media contexts. For clearer and more precise communication, consider alternatives like "fully answer", "completely answer", or "adequately answer".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully answer

This alternative implies a complete and comprehensive response.

entirely answer

Similar to 'completely answer', focusing on the wholeness of the response.

completely answer

Emphasizes that the response covers all aspects of the question.

perfectly answer

Suggests an ideal or flawless response.

adequately answer

Suggests the response is sufficient or acceptable, but not necessarily perfect.

thoroughly answer

Emphasizes the depth and detail of the response.

satisfactorily answer

Implies that the response meets the required standards or expectations.

sufficiently answer

Indicates the response is enough to address the question.

partially answer

Acknowledges that the response only covers a portion of the question.

address fully

This alternative shifts the focus from answering to addressing, which is a more broad term.

FAQs

Is "quite answer" grammatically correct?

While used, "quite answer" "fully answer" or "completely answer" might be more appropriate to convey the intended meaning.

What does "quite answer" mean?

"Quite answer" is used to express that something is not "entirely answer" or "fully answer" but it's not a standard English construction. Consider alternatives like "partially answer" to convey a similar idea.

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

Though "quite answer" is used, it may sound awkward. Consider restructuring your sentence or using a more precise alternative, such as "adequately answer" or "satisfactorily answer", depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "quite answer"?

Depending on the context, you can use "fully answer", "completely answer", "adequately answer", or "partially answer" as alternatives to "quite answer".