quite opposite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'quite opposite' is a correct and valid phrase in written English.
It is often used to emphasize that two things are different. For example: Although she had been a hardworking student in high school, her college habits were quite opposite.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the same time, another, quite opposite train of thought was running through Viktor's mind.

The New Yorker

On the other hand, there's a sense we're quite opposite poles".

The Guardian - Music

Ladies In Lavender appears, at first, to be a story quite opposite of this.

The Guardian

At the same time, another, quite opposite train of thought was running through Viktor's mind..

The New Yorker

But there may be another, quite opposite approach to keeping predators at bay.

The New York Times - Science

Quite opposite in style, these two laaps demonstrate the differing uses of chilli between Thai regions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But the people who should really object are Time Warner's shareholders, and for a quite opposite reason.

The Economist

They share what I call a poetic mindset, but are otherwise quite opposite in the way they work and express themselves.

The New Yorker

The other, quite opposite in its approach, describes literacy as an "ideological" phenomenon that varies widely and unpredictably according to its social setting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the same densely packed corridor as the privacy gadgets is something quite opposite: a group called The Findables Company who make trackers.

The Guardian - Tech

She was Jean Rhys's publisher, of course; it's interesting that she responded so acutely to Rhys's quite opposite personality – fatalistic and fearful, drowning in doubt.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite opposite" to clearly emphasize a contrast between two ideas or situations. It adds a stronger sense of opposition than simply saying "different."

Common error

Avoid using "quite opposite" when the difference is minor or subtle. It's best reserved for situations where the contrast is significant and readily apparent. Otherwise, consider using "slightly different" or "somewhat similar" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite opposite" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It serves to strongly emphasize that two things are contrary or diametrically opposed. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

27%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "quite opposite" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize a significant contrast between two things. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it is frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral to formal register. When writing, use "quite opposite" to highlight substantial differences and avoid it in situations where the contrast is only slight. Alternatives such as "entirely different" or "completely dissimilar" can be used for similar effect. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig underscore its reliable usage across varied domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely different

Emphasizes a complete lack of similarity.

completely dissimilar

Highlights the lack of resemblance between two things.

poles apart

Suggests the greatest possible difference or opposition.

at odds

Implies a conflict or disagreement.

in stark contrast

Highlights a very noticeable difference.

totally contradictory

Stresses a direct opposition or inconsistency.

the reverse is true

Indicates an exact inversion of a previous statement.

a far cry from

Indicates something is very different from something else.

mutually exclusive

Highlights that things cannot coexist.

on the contrary

Used to introduce a statement that contradicts something that has already been said.

FAQs

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

The phrase "quite opposite" is used to highlight a significant contrast between two things. For example, "Her initial reaction was excitement, but her final decision was "quite opposite": disappointment."

What are some alternatives to saying "quite opposite"?

You can use alternatives like "entirely different", "completely dissimilar", or "poles apart" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "quite opposite" or "completely opposite"?

Both "quite opposite" and "completely opposite" are grammatically correct. "Completely opposite" may emphasize the contrast more strongly, while "quite opposite" can sound slightly more nuanced.

When is it inappropriate to use "quite opposite"?

Avoid using "quite opposite" when the difference is minimal or subtle. In such cases, phrases like "slightly different" or "somewhat similar" are more appropriate.