quite it was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite it was" is not correct and does not conform to standard written English.
It seems to be an attempt at an archaic or poetic expression, but it lacks clarity and proper structure for modern usage. Example: "Quite it was a surprise to see him there."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What that meant was that it was for children, but not quite: it was a consciously (and sometime self-consciously) childlike record, a strategically junior version of their other material.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not quite: it is a Vodou temple.

The Economist

Not quite -- it was called back when a Florida lineman was given a 5-yard penalty for being illegally downfield.

The New York Times - Sports

Quite frankly, it's irrelevant.

Independent

"Quite frankly, it's shocking".

The New York Times

Quite frankly it's abhorrent".

BBC

It was quite extreme.

The New York Times - Arts

It was quite explicit.

The Guardian

It was quite terrible".

Independent

It was quite refreshing.

Independent

It was quite advanced".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "quite it was" in formal writing. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "indeed it was" or "certainly it was" to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Don't revert to unusual or archaic word orders in modern English. While experimenting with language can be creative, it's essential to ensure clarity and avoid phrases like "quite it was" that may confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite it was" functions as an attempt at emphatic affirmation, though its non-standard word order renders it grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase does not conform to standard written English. The example in Ludwig shows a more common usage of "it was quite", highlighting the difference.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite it was" is grammatically incorrect and rarely used in modern English. While it aims to express emphasis or agreement, its non-standard structure diminishes its effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, recommending grammatically sound alternatives such as "indeed it was" or "certainly it was". Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, its usage is best avoided in formal settings to maintain clarity and professionalism. Therefore, when seeking to convey strong affirmation, opting for standard alternatives ensures more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indeed it was

Replaces "quite" with "indeed" for a stronger affirmation, improving grammatical correctness.

certainly it was

Uses "certainly" instead of "quite" to convey assurance, resulting in a more grammatically sound phrase.

it was quite something

Reorders the phrase and uses "something" to denote impressiveness or significance, improving grammatical structure.

it was rather

Uses "rather" as an alternative to "quite" to imply a degree or extent, offering a more standard construction.

it was fairly

Employs "fairly" in place of "quite" to indicate moderation, which provides a grammatically acceptable variation.

it was truly

Replaces "quite" with "truly" for emphasis, enhancing the phrase's grammatical validity.

it was really

Substitutes "quite" with "really" for a more colloquial emphasis, offering a more commonly used alternative.

it was remarkably

Replaces "quite" with "remarkably" to emphasize how impressive or significant something was.

that was quite the

Adds "that was" to the beginning of the phrase, which helps establish clear tense and reference.

it most certainly was

Uses the intensifier "most certainly" for stronger emphasis and clearer grammar.

FAQs

Is "quite it was" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "quite it was" is not grammatically correct in modern English. Standard alternatives such as "indeed it was" or "certainly it was" should be used instead.

What does "quite it was" mean?

While not grammatically standard, "quite it was" attempts to express emphasis or agreement. However, it's better to use clearer alternatives like "it was quite" something or "it certainly was" to convey the intended meaning.

When should I use "quite it was"?

It's generally advisable to avoid using "quite it was" in contemporary writing due to its non-standard structure. Opt for grammatically correct phrases such as "it was quite something" or "indeed it was" to ensure clarity.

What are some alternatives to "quite it was"?

Some alternatives to "quite it was" include "indeed it was", "certainly it was", or "it was quite remarkable", depending on the specific context and emphasis you want to convey.