quite calm

USAGE SUMMARY

"quite calm" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a person or a situation that is moderately calm or composed. Example: Despite the chaos in the room, the teacher remained quite calm as she calmly explained the instructions for the assignment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Normally he's quite calm".

The New York Times - Sports

"We kept quite calm.

Independent

Bouteflika appeared quite calm.

The Guardian

"It's been quite calm".

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm quite calm.

The Guardian - Sport

"Everyone seemed quite calm.

The Guardian

"My family is quite calm.

The Guardian

She was quite calm at first.

The New Yorker

But we are quite calm about losing the game.

The Guardian - Sport

She looked quite calm, she was very well-dressed.

The Guardian - Books

He was quite calm, but firm, and casual about it".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite calm" to describe a moderate level of composure in situations where complete stillness or lack of emotion isn't necessarily expected or required.

Common error

Avoid using "quite calm" when the situation calls for describing someone who is exceptionally composed or in a crisis. In such cases, stronger terms like "completely calm" or "remarkably composed" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite calm" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the degree of calmness, indicating a moderate level. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "quite calm" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe a moderate state of calmness, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's grammatically correct and frequently appears in various sources, particularly in the News & Media. While "quite calm" is suitable for many situations, it's important to choose synonyms like "fairly composed" or "somewhat tranquil" depending on the specific shade of meaning you intend to convey. Remember to avoid overstating the level of calmness and ensure the phrase aligns with the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly composed

Changes the adjective to 'composed', implying a controlled calmness.

somewhat tranquil

Replaces 'calm' with 'tranquil', suggesting a peaceful and undisturbed state.

moderately serene

Uses 'serene' to indicate a state of peace and quiet, with 'moderately' indicating the degree.

relatively peaceful

Employs 'peaceful', highlighting the absence of disturbance or conflict.

rather collected

Shifts the focus to self-possession and control, using 'collected'.

pretty untroubled

Indicates a lack of worry or anxiety, using the adjective 'untroubled'.

noticeably relaxed

Highlights the observable state of being free from tension.

mildly unruffled

Suggests that someone is not agitated or disturbed by something.

slightly placid

Implies a gentle calmness or quietness in demeanor.

passably imperturbable

Indicates a resilience to disturbance or excitement.

FAQs

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

You can use "quite calm" to describe a person's demeanor (e.g., "Despite the bad news, she remained "quite calm"") or to characterize a situation (e.g., "The sea was "quite calm" that morning").

What phrases are similar to "quite calm"?

Similar phrases include "fairly composed", "somewhat tranquil", and "moderately serene". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "quite calm" or "very calm"?

"Quite calm" suggests a moderate degree of calmness, while "very calm" indicates a higher degree. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual level of composure being described.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "quite calm"?

It might be inappropriate when describing situations that require a stronger expression of calmness or composure, or when the context requires a different nuance that is not exactly synonymous. Alternatives can be "completely calm" or "remarkably composed".