quite horizontal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite horizontal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very level or flat, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The table was quite horizontal, making it perfect for the puzzle we were working on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's quite horizontal in its thinking.

The New York Times - Arts

This state corresponds to when the input polarization state is close to, but not quite, horizontal.

Nature

Only, that line isn't quite horizontal; there's a slight tilt to the line, and the slope represents the departure of spectral index, ns, from 1.

Forbes

Aloe Vera with older leaves (the outer) is normal to be quite horizontal, while the inner should be enough to erect.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Numerical results demonstrate that the behavior of vertical amplification is quite different from the horizontal counterpart.

Engineering Geology

Such 'self-accelerating' process produces quite narrow peaks of horizontal velocity with a maximum larger than 150 ms-1 in Figure 7c.

Earth, Planets and Space

The site amplification factors between these two stations, calculated from the site-correct filters and observed spectral ratios, are quite similar for both horizontal and vertical records (Fig. 3b).

Earth, Planets and Space

The earthquake is quite clear from the two horizontal components.

University of California, Berkeley

In low wind speed conditions the meandering of the flow can be quite significant, leading to enhanced horizontal dispersion.

Atmospheric Environment

(Ages 7 to 10) HERE we have two books with the same title, general audience, seductive subject and horizontal size, but quite a difference in approaches.

The New York Times - Books

Note: I currently have them set up a bit further than 13cm apart and quite a bit lower than horizontal, and this works great for me.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite horizontal" when you want to convey that something is very close to being perfectly level, but perhaps with a slight degree of imperfection or approximation. It's more descriptive than simply saying "horizontal".

Common error

Avoid using "quite horizontal" if the object or line is clearly not close to being level. Using it in such cases can sound awkward or inaccurate. Choose stronger, more fitting descriptors like "slanted" or "tilted" if the object significantly deviates from being level.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite horizontal" functions as a descriptive phrase, where "quite" modifies the adjective "horizontal". According to Ludwig AI, this combination is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples from Ludwig show it describing physical orientations and abstract concepts in similar ways.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

50%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quite horizontal" is a descriptive phrase indicating something is nearly level or flat. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is often found in scientific, news, and academic contexts. While it's not the most frequent phrase, it serves a valuable purpose in conveying approximation, differentiating it from "perfectly horizontal". When writing, use "quite horizontal" to express near-levelness with a degree of nuance, and avoid using it when the subject is clearly not close to level. Alternatives include "almost level" and "nearly flat".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually horizontal

Stresses the practical equivalence to being horizontal.

practically level

Focuses on the functional aspect of being level.

almost level

Emphasizes the near-level state, differing in focus.

close to horizontal

Indicates proximity to a horizontal orientation.

approximately level

Emphasizes that the orientation is close to level.

nearly flat

Highlights the flatness aspect, altering the core descriptor.

essentially flat

Highlights the flatness as the primary characteristic.

more or less horizontal

Acknowledges slight deviations from perfect horizontality.

largely level

Suggests that the primary aspect is level, with minor exceptions.

somewhat flat

Indicates a degree of flatness without full commitment.

FAQs

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

You can use "quite horizontal" to describe something that is nearly level or flat. For instance, "The surface wasn't perfectly level, but it was "quite horizontal"." Alternatively, you could say "The horizon appeared "quite horizontal" from our vantage point."

What's the difference between "quite horizontal" and "perfectly horizontal"?

"Quite horizontal" implies near-levelness, whereas "perfectly horizontal" suggests absolute levelness. If something is "quite horizontal", it might have a slight deviation, while "perfectly horizontal" indicates no deviation at all.

What are some alternatives to saying "quite horizontal"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "almost level", "nearly flat", or "virtually horizontal". Each of these phrases conveys a similar meaning, indicating something is close to being level or flat, but not necessarily perfectly so.

Is "quite horizontal" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "quite horizontal" is generally acceptable in formal writing, as it provides a nuanced description. However, ensure the context aligns with the phrase's implication of near-levelness rather than absolute precision. In highly technical contexts, consider more precise language if absolute precision is required.