quite seriously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite seriously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the seriousness of a statement or situation. Example: "I want you to understand that I am quite seriously considering your proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Quite seriously, too.

The New York Times

I mean that quite seriously.

The Guardian

I mean this quite seriously.

The Guardian - Film

Pupils took it quite seriously.

The Guardian

Quite seriously, you can do this anytime..

The New York Times

"That's not Antarctica," he said, quite seriously.

The New York Times - Sports

He took his charge quite seriously.

The New York Times - Travel

He said: "I mean that quite seriously.

The Guardian - Business

"Quite seriously though, congrats to @hblodget.

The Guardian

"I see people looking quite seriously.

The New York Times - Arts

Quite seriously I'd do it, as well.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite seriously" to add emphasis to a statement, ensuring your audience understands the gravity or sincerity of your message. It's particularly effective when correcting a possible misinterpretation or clarifying your intent.

Common error

Avoid using "quite seriously" in casual conversations or informal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stiff, potentially diluting the impact of your message. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "really" or "truly" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite seriously" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb to intensify the degree of seriousness. As Ludwig AI points out, this emphasizes the gravity or sincerity of a statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "quite seriously" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize the sincerity and importance of a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it lends a neutral-to-professional tone, signaling that a matter should be taken with considerable weight. While versatile, it should be used judiciously in informal settings where a more casual tone is appropriate. Remembering to use "completely seriously" as an alternative. Overall, "quite seriously" serves as a useful tool to convey earnestness effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely seriously

Emphasizes totality in seriousness, slightly stronger.

very seriously

A more direct and common alternative.

entirely seriously

Highlights the complete lack of jest.

absolutely seriously

Stresses the unreserved nature of the seriousness.

perfectly seriously

Implies an ideal state of seriousness.

genuinely serious

Focuses on the authenticity of the seriousness.

honestly and seriously

Adds emphasis on honesty.

in all seriousness

Shifts the focus to the state of seriousness itself.

with utmost seriousness

Highlights the high degree of seriousness.

no joking matter

Expresses seriousness by stating the absence of humor.

FAQs

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

You can use "quite seriously" to emphasize that you are not joking or being flippant about something. For instance, "I am "quite seriously" considering a career change."

What are some alternatives to "quite seriously"?

Alternatives include "very seriously", "completely seriously", or "in all seriousness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "quite seriously" in informal speech?

While grammatically correct, "quite seriously" may sound overly formal in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using phrases like "really though" or "no kidding" instead.

What's the difference between "seriously" and "quite seriously"?

"Quite seriously" adds a degree of emphasis to "seriously". It suggests that the matter is not just serious, but deserving of particular attention or consideration. Using just "seriously" still implies importance, but without the added weight.