quite draining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite draining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is exhausting or tiring, either physically or mentally. Example: "After a long week of meetings and deadlines, I found the entire experience to be quite draining."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"It can be quite draining," she agrees.

The Guardian

In fact, it's quite draining to even think about.

The Guardian - Film

The players looked quite nervous, and anxiety can sometimes be quite draining.

Independent

To blog well demands a lot of energy and can become quite draining after a while.

The Guardian

She is struggling with such a lot of guilt, and spends a lot of time feeling rather sad, that I did find the writing process quite draining.

The Guardian

The arguments and appeasements between Woolf and her cook and housemaid sound quite draining and far more work than not having servants at all, and indeed Woolf found it a relief later in her life when she took on some of the domestic tasks herself.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Tablet batteries are typically at least twice the size of a smartphone battery, and while it's not strictly necessary to fully charge it before using it for the first time, setting up a tablet can be quite power draining.

The Guardian - Tech

On Radio 4's Today programme, Cummings said that "being a nurse or a midwife, and caring for highly complex patients day in, day out is quite emotionally draining.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the course of the film, there's a gnomic Asian fable about a talking fish seducing a princess beside a waterfall (this may account for the 12A certificate), and a journey to a remote cave, a numinous place from Boonmee's childhood, and now the site of his death, life quite literally draining from him by way of a tube from his kidneys.

The Guardian - Film

If it's looking quite wet, drain off the water.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Pumpkin-Noodle Kugel: Cook a half-pound of egg noodles in salted water until not quite done; drain and put them into a buttered baking dish.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite draining" when you want to express that something is significantly exhausting, but without the intensity of saying "very draining". It suggests a noticeable impact on one's energy levels.

Common error

Avoid using "quite draining" when the situation warrants a stronger term like "extremely draining" or "utterly exhausting". Using "quite" inappropriately can undermine the intended emphasis and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite draining" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its effect. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it suggests a significant level of exhaustion or depletion of energy. The phrase serves to qualify the degree to which something is tiring.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite draining" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something that is significantly exhausting, but not overwhelmingly so. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as an adjectival phrase with a neutral register, suitable for various contexts from news reports to personal conversations. While synonyms like "very draining" or "extremely exhausting" might convey a stronger impact, "quite draining" offers a balanced way to express a noticeable reduction in energy levels. When writing, be mindful of overusing "quite" and ensure it aligns with the intended level of exhaustion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very exhausting

Emphasizes the degree of exhaustion more strongly.

really tiring

Uses a more informal term for exhaustion.

utterly depleting

Focuses on the reduction of resources or energy.

incredibly wearying

Highlights the process of becoming tired over time.

somewhat enervating

Indicates a loss of vitality or strength.

moderately fatiguing

Uses a more clinical term for tiredness.

pretty taxing

Suggests a strain on one's resources or abilities.

kind of sapping

Implies a gradual reduction of energy or strength.

fairly debilitating

Indicates a weakening or impairing effect.

slightly exhausting

Suggests a mild level of exhaustion.

FAQs

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

You can use "quite draining" to describe activities, situations, or even people that leave you feeling significantly exhausted. For example, "The conference was "quite draining" after three days of non-stop presentations."

What's a less formal alternative to "quite draining"?

If you're looking for a less formal way to say "quite draining", you could use phrases like "really tiring" or "pretty exhausting". These options convey a similar meaning but are more suitable for casual conversations.

Which is correct, "quite draining" or "very draining"?

Both "quite draining" and "very draining" are grammatically correct, but they differ in intensity. "Quite draining" implies a noticeable level of exhaustion, whereas "very draining" suggests a stronger, more significant impact on your energy levels.

What situations is "quite draining" best suited for?

"Quite draining" is best suited for describing situations that are significantly tiring or exhausting, but not overwhelmingly so. It's a good middle ground between mildly tiring and completely exhausting. For example, "Dealing with difficult customers all day can be "quite draining"."