quite harder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite harder" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "much harder" or "quite hard." Example: "This math problem is quite harder than the previous ones."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That was her particular gift of course, to charm creatively, and productively, but even the more puritanically driven of us knew (though we rarely learned to be grateful) that in those years we were the beneficiaries of a historical lucky break that made it (well, not quite) harder to fail than succeed.

The Guardian

This second task may prove to be quite harder than talking to Yanukovich".

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It's been quite hard".

The New York Times

(2) It's quite hard.

The Guardian - Film

Quite hard actually.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's quite hard".

The Guardian - Opinion

That's quite hard.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Yes, the accent was quite hard work.

Independent

"You have to be quite hard-nosed.

The Guardian

The unarmed part is really quite hard.

Independent

Until it gets quite hard.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "quite" with comparative adjectives like "harder". Use "much", "considerably", or "significantly" instead to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Using "quite" with comparative adjectives like "harder" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. "Quite" typically modifies positive adjectives or adverbs. For instance, instead of saying something is "quite harder", use alternatives like "much harder" or simply "quite hard" depending on the meaning you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite harder" functions as an attempt to intensify a comparative adjective. However, it does not follow standard English grammar rules. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is not correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite harder" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Although Ludwig provides a few examples of its usage in news media, the phrase should be avoided in formal writing. As suggested by Ludwig AI, alternatives such as "much harder", "considerably harder", or "significantly harder" are more appropriate for expressing a higher degree of difficulty. When aiming for clarity and correctness, it is best to adhere to established grammatical conventions and select more precise wording.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much harder

Replaces "quite" with "much" for grammatical correctness and better flow.

considerably harder

Substitutes "quite" with "considerably" to emphasize a significant difference in difficulty.

significantly harder

Replaces "quite" with "significantly" for a more formal and emphatic tone.

noticeably harder

Emphasizes that the increased difficulty is easily observed.

distinctly harder

Indicates a clear and easily perceived difference in difficulty.

markedly harder

Suggests that the difference in difficulty is substantial and evident.

substantially harder

Highlights a major increase in the level of difficulty.

a good deal harder

Uses a more colloquial expression to indicate a notable increase in difficulty.

somewhat harder

Indicates a slight to moderate increase in difficulty.

appreciably harder

Emphasizes that the increase in difficulty is large enough to be recognized and considered.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "quite harder"?

No, the phrase "quite harder" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "much harder", "significantly harder", or simply "quite hard" depending on the intended meaning.

What are some alternatives to "quite harder"?

Alternatives to "quite harder" include "much harder", "considerably harder", "significantly harder", or, if the intention is to express a general level of difficulty, "quite hard".

When is it appropriate to use "quite hard" instead of "quite harder"?

Use "quite hard" when you want to express that something is moderately difficult. "Quite" acts as an intensifier for the adjective "hard". However, "quite harder" is not grammatically sound.

Can "quite" be used with comparative adjectives?

Generally, "quite" is not used with comparative adjectives like "harder", "faster", or "better". It's more appropriate to use it with positive adjectives (e.g., "quite good", "quite interesting") or to use alternatives like "much", "considerably", or "significantly" before a comparative adjective.