quite unstable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite unstable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not firmly established or is prone to change or fluctuation. Example: "The economic situation in the region is quite unstable, leading to uncertainty for investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Davis ended up working in construction, even though the income was quite unstable and he found the work unsatisfying.

The New York Times

In a world that is quite unstable, people find consumption a strong, stabilizing force in their lives.

The New York Times - Magazine

The state +1 is generally quite unstable, and most of the chemistry of gold involves the state +3.

Encyclopedia Britannica

My son likes to make everyone happy but with our family in a day to day healing process we are quite unstable".

The New Yorker

Should Kim die, however, these people would have to emerge from the shadows and establish their own authority to rule, in which case the situation could become quite unstable.

The Guardian

However, history tells us that the base of the bird tree is quite unstable and things are likely to change – how much, and quite when it will stabilize and in what position is another matter entirely.

The Guardian

And the resulting position is possibly quite unstable: Aristotle certainly thinks so.

SEP

It is also observed that other phonemes are quite unstable across the samples.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

It was observed clearly that the aqueous dispersion of Cs0.33WO3 powder before grinding was quite unstable.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Concerning the operational stability, MCI-Lecitase was quite unstable, losing its activity after 6 reaction cycles.

Catalysis Today

It is also found that the operating mode is quite unstable with periodical oscillations at relative low temperature.

Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing financial markets or economic conditions, use "quite unstable" to convey a sense of unpredictable fluctuation that could lead to investment risks.

Common error

Avoid using "quite unstable" when a situation is only mildly uncertain. Consider alternatives like "somewhat volatile" or "slightly fluctuating" for nuanced descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite unstable" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun to describe its condition or state. It indicates that something is not firmly established and is prone to fluctuations or changes. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quite unstable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for describing something prone to change or fluctuation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and diverse application across news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the degree of instability and avoid overstating the situation with stronger alternatives like "completely unstable" when a milder expression such as "somewhat volatile" would suffice. Being mindful of the context ensures effective and nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather unstable

Replaces "quite" with "rather", indicating a slightly lesser degree of instability.

completely unstable

Expresses that something has no stability whatsoever, using "completely" to intensify the adjective.

distinctly unstable

Substitutes "quite" with "distinctly", highlighting the clear presence of instability.

absolutely unstable

Replaces "quite" with "absolutely" to strongly affirm a lack of stability.

quite turbulent

Replaces "unstable" with a more dramatic adjective, emphasizing the chaotic nature.

perfectly unstable

Uses "perfectly" to emphasize the instability as being complete and without exception.

quite tenuous

Highlights the weak and uncertain nature of the current state.

quite troubled

Shifts the focus to the problematic nature of the instability.

quite fragile

Emphasizes the delicacy and vulnerability of the situation.

quite vulnerable

Shifts the focus to the susceptibility to harm or damage because of instability.

FAQs

How to use "quite unstable" in a sentence?

You can use "quite unstable" to describe something that is prone to change or fluctuation. For example, "The political climate is "quite unstable", making it difficult to predict future policies."

What can I say instead of "quite unstable"?

You can use alternatives like "rather unstable", "fairly unstable", or "somewhat unstable" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "quite unstable" or "very unstable"?

Both ""quite unstable"" and "very unstable" are correct, but "quite" suggests a slightly lower degree of instability than "very". The choice depends on the intensity you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "quite unstable" and "completely unstable"?

"Quite unstable" implies a noticeable lack of stability, whereas "completely unstable" indicates an utter absence of stability. The latter is a stronger statement.