quite foolish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite foolish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or decision that is considered to be very unwise or lacking in good judgment. Example: "It was quite foolish of him to invest all his savings in a risky venture without doing any research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"It would be quite foolish for him to not amass money for an eventuality like this".

The New York Times

But this way of approaching the matter is inappropriate even to all Greek tragedies, which are much more various than some discussions suggest; and it looks quite foolish when applied to Jacobean tragedy, where the violence is often anything but sweet.

The New York Times - Books

This time around the documents are more of a diplomatic nature, that is, their leak has the US Department of State looking quite foolish.

TechCrunch

Which I think is quite foolish.

Huffington Post

We, all of us, do short term pleasurable things that turn out to be quite foolish in the long run -- it is in the nature of the beast.

Huffington Post

I've never really lived a conventional life, so I think it's quite foolish for me or anyone else to start thinking that I am going to start making conventional choices".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

He looks rather foolish.

The Guardian

Trying to upgrade them in one afternoon seems a bit hopeless, and quite possibly foolish.

The New York Times - Arts

Human folly never seems quite so foolish as when it is losing tons of money.Michael Lewis, the author of "Liar's Poker", is the ideal writer to dissect the behaviour that led to the current credit crunch.

The Economist

So, to give him a better chance of catching the plane, she rang the airline - to say there was a bomb on board.If you remember Ms De La Rosa's story, you might also recall that she sent the bomb threat to authorities via email a move almost, though not quite, as foolish as making the threat in the actual airport, surrounded by police.

The Economist

It is one thing to perish in one's midlife-crisis-mobile while doing something foolish, quite another to risk that outcome for a minor mistake.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "quite foolish", consider the context and audience to ensure the level of formality is appropriate. While acceptable in news and media, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "extremely unwise".

Common error

Avoid using multiple intensifiers with "foolish", such as "very quite foolish", as it can sound redundant. Choose the single best modifier to convey the intended degree of foolishness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite foolish" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It serves to describe something or someone as lacking good sense or judgment. As Ludwig AI reports, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite foolish" is a grammatically correct and usable adjective phrase that describes something as unwise or lacking good judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, where it serves to express disapproval or criticism. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain settings. Though the term is not rare, there are more common synonyms that might be valuable to consider when writing or speaking. Be careful to avoid overstating and make sure to not use redundant intensifiers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly foolish

Emphasizes the complete lack of wisdom, indicating a higher degree of foolishness.

extremely unwise

Focuses on the lack of wisdom, offering a more formal tone than "foolish".

patently absurd

Highlights the ridiculous and illogical nature of the action or idea.

wholly irrational

Emphasizes the lack of logic and reason behind the action or thought.

thoroughly misguided

Suggests that the action is based on incorrect or flawed information.

decidedly imprudent

A formal way of saying something is not wise or careful.

remarkably silly

Emphasizes the lack of seriousness and the somewhat comical nature of the foolishness.

rather daft

Uses a more informal and slightly playful tone to describe foolishness.

plainly stupid

Uses a more direct term to describe the lack of intelligence and wisdom.

downright idiotic

Conveys a strong sense of foolishness, bordering on complete lack of intelligence.

FAQs

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

You can use "quite foolish" to describe an action or decision that is considered unwise or lacking good judgement. For instance, "It was "quite foolish" of him to ignore the warning signs."

What are some alternatives to saying "quite foolish"?

Alternatives include "utterly foolish", "extremely unwise", or "patently absurd", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "quite foolish" a formal or informal expression?

"Quite foolish" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for use in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal options like "decidedly imprudent" may be preferred in highly formal settings.

What's the difference between "quite foolish" and "very foolish"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "quite foolish" often suggests a slightly higher degree of foolishness than "very foolish". The choice between them often comes down to personal preference and the specific context.