quite to know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite to know" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete or incorrect expression, and it is unclear what context it is intended for. Example: "I was quite to know the details of the project." (This sentence is incorrect.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Terribly, he appears not quite to know this about himself.

The New Yorker

None of the pundits bidden to address this enticing subject seemed quite to know.

Independent

No one seems quite to know whether the same will be true of Tough Mudder.

The New Yorker

Julia Sporsén's Rosalind never seems quite to know who she is supposed to be, both Edgaras Montvidas's Alfred and Rhian Lois's Welsh-valleys Adele (in 1920s Vienna?) overdo their caricatures, and Jennifer Holloway's Orlofsky, thick Russian accent and all, fails to convince.

The Guardian - Music

To main take-away is that the UK (and for now Tory-led) government remains bullish and fairly committed to the idea of the sharing economy, even though no one seems quite to know where the sharing economy starts and ends, agreeing to the majority but not all of the report's recommendations.

TechCrunch

"I don't quite to know what to do afterwards if someone's lingering," Maron jokingly told Kimmel.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

No one quite seems to know.

The Guardian - Books

"Nobody quite seems to know why".

The Guardian - Books

No one quite seemed to know who should take it.

The New York Times - Sports

I'd quite like to know who that was".

The New York Times

The troops never quite seem to know what the core message is.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "quite to know" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives such as "fully understand" or "really know".

Common error

Do not directly follow "quite" with "to know". Instead, use it to modify adjectives or adverbs (e.g., "quite well", "quite certain") or restructure your sentence to use a more standard verb construction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite to know" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't serve a standard grammatical function. It appears as an attempt to modify the verb "know" with "quite", but it doesn't follow standard English grammar rules. As Ludwig AI says, the phrase is not correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite to know" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use in formal or even informal writing. Ludwig AI confirms its non-standard status. While there are some examples where it appears, the intended meaning—a partial or incomplete understanding—can be better conveyed using alternatives such as "partially understand", "somewhat aware", or "not fully comprehend". Because of its incorrectness, using this phrase can detract from clarity and credibility. Rely on standard grammar and vocabulary to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

really know

Replaces "quite to" with a more direct intensifier.

fully understand

Focuses on complete comprehension instead of partial knowledge.

completely grasp

Emphasizes a thorough understanding, replacing the ambiguous "quite".

definitely understand

Provides a more affirmative tone than the original phrase.

have a good understanding

Offers a more idiomatic way of expressing a solid level of comprehension.

absolutely certain

Offers a sense of certainty where "quite to know" implies doubt.

thoroughly comprehend

Suggests a detailed and complete understanding, in contrast to a partial one.

genuinely aware

Highlights a true understanding and consciousness of something.

fully conscious

Emphasizes a state of complete awareness or understanding.

truly appreciate

Conveys a deeper understanding and recognition of something's value.

FAQs

Is "quite to know" grammatically correct?

No, "quite to know" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "really know" or "fully understand".

What does "quite to know" mean?

"Quite to know" is not a standard phrase, making its intended meaning unclear. It seems to imply a partial or incomplete understanding, but it's best to rephrase for clarity using alternatives like "partially aware".

How can I rephrase "quite to know" in a sentence?

Replace "quite to know" with alternatives such as "partially understand", "somewhat aware", or "not fully comprehend", depending on the specific context.

What are some common mistakes when trying to use "quite to know"?

A common mistake is directly pairing "quite" with "to know". Instead, use "quite" with an adjective (e.g., "quite certain") or use a different verb phrase altogether, such as "genuinely aware".