quite cher

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite cher" is not correct in standard written English.
It appears to be a mix of English and French, where "cher" means "expensive" in French, but it is not commonly used in English contexts. Example: "The restaurant was quite cher, but the food was worth it."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If temperamental actors are referred to as "handfuls," Mandy — as he is known in the business, not quite Cher, but close — is the motherlode.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Actually I quite respect her," Cher admitted".

Huffington Post

Yet Cher struggles throughout the film and never quite offers a sound bite of unequivocal support for her transgender son.

The New York Times

So it takes quite a while before Jayne Mansfield, Engelbert Humperdinck, Sonny, Cher and George Hamilton move in, and the tawdriness gets more interesting.

The New York Times - Books

Both Streisand and Cher have been outspoken in their support of Clinton for quite some time.

Huffington Post

It is certainly true that, where "Cher's" identity was concerned, Bailey left a trail of clues quite easy for a close-knit, Internet-savvy community of transwomen to uncover.

Archives of Sexual Behavior

I'm getting quite nostalgic," said Mr. Asher, 69, who after his days as a teen idol produced hugely successful records for Linda Ronstadt, Neil Diamond, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt and Cher, among others, winning a couple of Grammy Awards along the way.

The New York Times

Like Cher.

The New York Times

Maybe Cher.

The New York Times

Cher didn't care.

The New York Times

— Cher, Dolly, Madonna, Barbra, Bette.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "quite cher" in formal English writing. Opt for more common and grammatically correct alternatives like "quite expensive" or "rather pricey".

Common error

Avoid blending French and English in casual conversation, as it can be perceived as pretentious or confusing. While borrowing words can enrich language, ensure the context and audience understand the intent and are not misled. Instead of saying "The restaurant was quite cher", say "The restaurant was "quite expensive"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite cher" functions as an adverb-adjective combination attempting to modify a noun, implying something is expensive. However, as Ludwig AI notes, the phrase is grammatically incorrect due to the use of a French word within an English sentence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "quite cher" might seem like a straightforward way to express that something is expensive by blending English and French, Ludwig AI confirms it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in English. The single example illustrates rare usage primarily within News & Media. For clear and effective communication, opting for established English alternatives like ""quite expensive"" or ""rather pricey"" ensures your message is accurately understood and avoids potential misinterpretations. Avoid using "quite cher" in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather expensive

Replaces the French word "cher" with its English equivalent to describe cost.

very costly

Emphasizes the high price using a more common English adjective.

pretty pricey

Uses a more informal and common way to indicate something is expensive.

quite dear

Substitutes "cher" with "dear", which can imply both expensiveness and endearment in English.

somewhat costly

Indicates that something is expensive to a certain extent.

relatively pricey

Suggests the price is high compared to other similar items.

fairly expensive

Similar to "rather expensive", indicating a notable cost.

moderately expensive

Indicates a medium level of expensiveness.

reasonably expensive

Suggests the price is high but justified.

rather fond

Moves away from cost and focuses on expressing affection or fondness.

FAQs

Is "quite cher" grammatically correct in English?

No, "quite cher" is not grammatically correct in standard English. "Cher" is a French word meaning "expensive" or "dear". In English, it's more appropriate to say "quite expensive" or "very expensive".

What does "cher" mean in "quite cher"?

In the phrase "quite cher", "cher" is a French word that translates to "expensive" or "dear" in English. Using it directly in English is generally incorrect.

What can I say instead of "quite cher"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "quite expensive", "rather pricey", or "very expensive" to convey the same meaning as "cher" in English.

Is it acceptable to use French words in English?

Using French words in English is acceptable when the word has been widely adopted into the English language or when you're communicating with someone who understands French. However, in most formal contexts, it's better to use the English equivalent. Therefore it's better to use "quite expensive" rather than "quite cher".