quite off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is significantly incorrect or not in alignment with expectations. Example: "The calculations you provided are quite off; we need to double-check the figures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Hence 195 seemed quite off the map.

The New York Times

"But on this one, he's quite off base".

The New York Times - Sports

"The policy he is calling for is quite off the mark".

The New York Times

SIR —I must say you were quite off in your briefing about Zimbabwe.

The Economist

Your analysis is quite off the mark, to say the least.

The Economist

It's been nearly a quarter of a century since I had to deal with such bastards, so I was caught quite off my guard.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Auden's intellect was formidable and showy, and quite off-putting.

The Guardian - Books

It will be quite off-putting and people will remember you for all the wrong reasons.

The Guardian

"I don't think there is that real density of prose that can be quite off-putting," he said.

The Guardian - Books

That the doctor was Jewish, as Francis mentioned to Wolton not quite off-handedly, is indeed a salient detail.

The New Yorker

Again, having this happen automatically could be quite off-putting at times – I for instance often choose NOT to tag stuff in photos, for privacy or discoverability reasons.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite off" to express a polite disagreement or to gently point out an error without being overly critical. It softens the impact of the correction.

Common error

While "quite off" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and direct language to convey the extent of the inaccuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite off" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier of an adjective or a state. It intensifies the adjective "off", indicating a noticeable degree of deviation, inaccuracy, or incorrectness. Ludwig AI examples confirm its usage in contexts where something is not entirely correct or aligned with expectations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

21%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite off" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something is noticeably incorrect or deviates from expectations. It's most often found in news and media, and while Ludwig AI confirms its broad usability, it's best reserved for neutral or informal contexts to avoid sounding too casual in formal settings. For more formal communication, consider alternatives such as "somewhat inaccurate" or "slightly incorrect". The varied examples from Ludwig demonstrate its applicability across diverse scenarios, solidifying its role as a versatile phrase in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather inaccurate

Substitutes "quite" with "rather" and "off" with "inaccurate", maintaining a similar level of understatement.

somewhat mistaken

Replaces "quite off" with "somewhat mistaken", implying a degree of error or misunderstanding.

a bit off

Uses a more informal tone by replacing "quite" with "a bit".

slightly incorrect

Emphasizes the minor degree of error by using "slightly incorrect".

not entirely correct

Shifts focus to partial correctness rather than complete inaccuracy.

somewhat askew

Employs "askew" to suggest something is not aligned or as expected.

off the mark

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate inaccuracy.

not quite right

Indicates something is not satisfactory or correct.

a little out

Uses a casual expression to suggest something is deviating from an expected value or position.

far from perfect

Suggests that the subject in question does not come close to being perfect.

FAQs

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

You can use "quite off" to express that something is inaccurate or mistaken. For example, "Your calculations are "quite off", please check them again."

What's a less direct way to say something is wrong, using "quite off"?

Instead of directly saying something is wrong, you can use ""quite off"" to soften the criticism. It implies a mild error rather than a complete failure.

What can I say instead of "quite off" if I want to be more formal?

If you need a more formal alternative, consider using phrases like "somewhat inaccurate", "slightly incorrect", or "not entirely correct".

When is it appropriate to use "quite off" versus more direct language?

Use ""quite off"" in situations where you want to be polite and avoid confrontation. In situations demanding precision or where directness is valued, opt for more explicit terms like "inaccurate" or "incorrect".