quite so long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite so long" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express agreement or acknowledgment regarding the duration of something, often in a conversational context. Example: "I didn't expect the meeting to last quite so long, but it was very informative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Or take quite so long.

The New Yorker

Mr Gallois hopes it won't take quite so long.

The Economist

But why it will take quite so long seems inexplicable.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are playing for pride now, trying to make this winter seem not quite so long.

The New York Times - Sports

Although why it takes quite so long to do whatever it is, I don't know.

The Guardian

All three Democrats are also familiar figures in city government, if not for quite so long.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Donncha O'Callaghan, the long-serving Ireland lock who is not quite so long-serving – or, by his own admission, quite so much of a lock – as his blood brother Paul O'Connell, tells an amusing story about events on the otherwise profoundly unfunny Lions tour of New Zealand in 2005.

Independent

What I hadn't realised was that the damned clubbability lasted quite so ferociously long – all the way to 1963; yes, bang between the end of the Chatterley ban and the Beatles' first LP.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

(And also quite civil, so long as you preface every interaction with "Bonjour").

The New York Times - Travel

To the Dalai Lama himself, the situation is quite clear: so long as one's motivation is pure, he told me when last I saw him, 18 months ago, the rest will take care of itself.

The New York Times

(And also quite civil, so long as you preface every interaction with "Bonjour"). And the biggest myth of all: that Paris is for lovers; it's also for families — just ask the French, who now have one of Europe's highest birthrates.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite so long" to express mild surprise or acknowledgment that something has taken a significant amount of time, especially when the duration is longer than expected.

Common error

Avoid using "quite so long" excessively in formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound informal or conversational. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives like "considerably longer" or "significantly more time" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite so long" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically used to qualify verbs or adjectives related to time. It expresses a degree of surprise or emphasis regarding the duration of an event or activity. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite so long" functions as an adverbial modifier to express surprise or emphasis about a duration. It's grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in News & Media, but should be used sparingly in highly formal contexts. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, and the provided examples illustrate its application in various sentences. While alternatives like "rather lengthy" or "considerably longer" exist, "quite so long" retains a unique conversational tone. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile but context-dependent, making it a useful addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite so lengthy

Replaces "long" with "lengthy", emphasizing the extended duration.

rather so long

Uses "rather" instead of "quite", softening the emphasis on duration.

absolutely so long

Substitutes "quite" with "absolutely", intensifying the duration.

completely so long

Replaces "quite" with "completely", stressing the exhaustive duration.

perfectly so long

Replaces "quite" with "perfectly", suggesting an ideal or complete duration.

being so long

Highlights the state of existing for an extended duration.

quite so time consuming

Specifies the nature of the duration as related to time consumption.

leaving so long

Focuses on the act of departing for an extended period.

entitled so long

Emphasizes the right or qualification to a prolonged duration.

sounds so long

Shifts focus to the perceived duration.

FAQs

How can I use "quite so long" in a sentence?

You can use "quite so long" to express surprise or acknowledgment about the duration of something. For example, "I didn't expect the meeting to last "quite so long"."

What can I say instead of "quite so long"?

Alternatives include "rather lengthy", "considerably longer", or "significantly more time", depending on the context.

Is "quite so long" grammatically correct?

Yes, "quite so long" is grammatically correct and usable in written English, especially in conversational contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

What is the difference between "quite so long" and "just so long"?

"Quite so long" implies a degree of surprise or acknowledgment regarding duration, whereas "just so long" typically refers to a specific duration or timeframe.