quite serious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'quite serious' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to emphasize the degree to which something is serious. You can use it to show that a situation is more serious than might be expected. For example, "This project requires quite serious dedication and commitment" or "The consequences of this mistake could be quite serious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And quite serious.

The New York Times - Arts

"I'm quite serious.

The Guardian - Arts

But Don was quite serious.

The New Yorker

Carrère becomes quite serious.

The Guardian - Books

It's quite serious.

The Guardian

Quite serious indeed.

The New Yorker

I am, however, quite serious.

The New York Times

We get into quite serious conversations".

Independent

"But this time I am quite serious".

The New York Times

And they are quite serious about it".

The New York Times

As usual, he's quite serious.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite serious" to highlight situations that demand immediate attention or carry significant consequences.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "quite serious" in a single text. While it's a useful phrase, relying on it too heavily can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite serious" functions as an intensifying adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to emphasize the degree of seriousness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression highlights that something carries more weight or consequence than initially perceived. Examples found in Ludwig showcase its use in describing situations, problems, or intentions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite serious" is a commonly used adjective phrase that effectively conveys a significant degree of importance or concern. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Academic contexts, reflecting its suitability for both neutral and formal registers. When aiming to express the gravity of a situation, "quite serious" serves as a valuable tool, though mindful variation using alternatives like "completely serious" or "very serious" is recommended to avoid repetition. Its consistent usage and authoritative sources underscore its reliability and effectiveness in communicating seriousness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely serious

Emphasizes totality; suggests no element of jest or doubt.

entirely serious

Similar to 'completely serious', but can imply a stronger sense of resolve.

absolutely serious

Highlights the lack of any doubt or reservation about the seriousness.

totally serious

Implies a full and unmitigated level of seriousness.

very serious

Direct synonym, denoting a high degree of importance or danger.

fairly serious

Indicates a level of seriousness that is notably above average.

rather serious

Similar to 'fairly serious', suggests a considerable level of concern.

somewhat serious

Suggests a moderate level of seriousness; less intense than 'quite serious'.

gravely serious

Emphasizes the weighty and potentially dire nature of the situation.

distinctly serious

Highlights the clear and unmistakable nature of the seriousness.

FAQs

What does "quite serious" mean?

"Quite serious" means something is considerably or notably serious. It emphasizes that a situation or matter is more than just mildly serious, but not necessarily at the highest level of severity.

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

You can use "quite serious" to describe situations, problems, or concerns. For instance, "The implications of this decision are "quite serious"" or "He seemed "quite serious" about his decision to quit".

What are some alternatives to saying "quite serious"?

Alternatives include "completely serious", "very serious", or "fairly serious" depending on the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "quite serious" and "very serious"?

While similar, "quite serious" can sometimes imply a slightly understated or surprised tone, whereas "very serious" is a more direct and emphatic declaration of severity.