quite lonely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite lonely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of significant loneliness or isolation, often emphasizing the extent of that feeling. Example: "After moving to a new city, I found myself quite lonely, missing my friends and family back home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Personal Experiences

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's been quite lonely.

The New York Times

She ended up quite lonely.

The Guardian

Writing can be quite lonely".

The Guardian - Music

"Sometimes I get quite lonely, yes.

The Guardian

He was single, and seemed quite lonely.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I felt both #blessed and sometimes quite lonely.

The Washington Post

For much of my teens I felt quite lonely.

The Guardian - Film

"We felt quite lonely at the beginning," said Yann Libessart, spokesman for Doctors Without Borders.

The New York Times

It would also allow me to have a family -- the celibate life can be quite lonely.

The Washington Post

Gitmo, some of the soldiers there told me, can get quite lonely.

The New York Times

But I live alone now and get quite lonely, so I may not stay forever.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite lonely" to express a noticeable but not necessarily overwhelming sense of loneliness. It's suitable when the feeling is significant but not devastating.

Common error

Avoid using "quite lonely" when describing extreme isolation or despair. Stronger terms like "utterly alone" or "desperately lonely" are more appropriate for conveying intense feelings of isolation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite lonely" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject by describing their emotional state. It indicates a moderate degree of loneliness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Lifestyle

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite lonely" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a moderate level of loneliness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's readily usable in English writing across various contexts. While it's generally considered neutral in tone, writers should ensure that the intensity of the phrase aligns with the intended emotional impact. When greater emphasis is needed, consider using alternatives like "very isolated" or "utterly alone". Overall, "quite lonely" offers a nuanced way to convey feelings of isolation without overstating the experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather lonely

Similar to "quite lonely", but with a slightly different emphasis on the degree of loneliness.

feeling isolated

This describes the subjective experience of being separated from others.

feeling disconnected

Focuses on the lack of connection with others, leading to loneliness.

somewhat lonely

This indicates a weaker, less intense feeling of loneliness compared to "quite lonely".

very isolated

This phrase emphasizes a stronger sense of physical or social detachment.

deeply lonely

Suggests a profound and intense feeling of loneliness that affects one's core.

utterly alone

This suggests a complete lack of companionship or support, heightening the feeling of loneliness.

incredibly lonely

Similar to "extremely lonely", indicating a very high degree of loneliness.

extremely lonely

Emphasizes a very high degree or intensity of loneliness.

terribly lonely

This implies a significant and distressing level of loneliness.

FAQs

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

You can use "quite lonely" to describe a state of moderate loneliness. For example, "After moving to a new city, I felt "quite lonely" until I made some friends."

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

"Quite lonely" suggests a noticeable level of loneliness, while "very lonely" implies a more intense feeling. The choice depends on the degree of loneliness you want to convey.

What are some alternatives to "quite lonely"?

Alternatives include "somewhat lonely", "rather lonely", or "a little lonely", depending on the specific context and intensity of the feeling.

Is "quite lonely" formal or informal?

"Quite lonely" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal writing might benefit from more precise or descriptive language.