really quite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really quite" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a degree of something, often to indicate that it is more than just "quite" or "really" alone. Example: "The movie was really quite entertaining, far exceeding my expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Really quite a lot.

The New York Times

"It's really quite emotional".

The Guardian

It's really quite remarkable.

Yale University

They're really quite amazing.

Harvard University

Really quite bad.

Independent

It's really quite staggering.

Independent

It's really quite embarrassing.

The New York Times

It's really quite effective.

The Guardian - Tech

Really quite unfathomable.

The Guardian

That's really quite interesting.

The Guardian

It's really quite bizarre.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "really quite" to convey a sense of understated surprise or mild intensity, especially in formal or polite contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "really quite" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or overly formal. Mix it up with synonyms like "genuinely rather" or "truly fairly" for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really quite" functions as an adverbial intensifier, modifying adjectives or adverbs to express a degree of quality. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across various contexts to add nuance to descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really quite" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to add subtle emphasis and qualification to descriptions. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically sound and frequently used across various domains, notably in News & Media and Academia. While maintaining a generally neutral register, "really quite" adds a touch of refinement and understatement compared to stronger intensifiers. To maintain variety in your writing, consider using alternatives like "genuinely rather" or "truly fairly". Avoiding overuse will help retain its impact and prevent your writing from sounding repetitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely rather

Replaces "really" with "genuinely" and "quite" with "rather", maintaining a similar level of emphasis.

truly fairly

Substitutes "really" with "truly" and "quite" with "fairly", conveying a slightly more formal tone.

remarkably moderately

Uses "remarkably" to replace "really", indicating a notable degree, and "moderately" instead of "quite", softening the overall emphasis slightly.

exceptionally somewhat

Employs "exceptionally" to highlight a high degree and "somewhat" to temper it, creating a balanced expression.

decidedly moderately

Replaces "really" with "decidedly", suggesting a clear decision, and "quite" with "moderately", lessening the intensity.

certainly somewhat

Uses "certainly" instead of "really" to add assurance, and "somewhat" instead of "quite", reducing the emphasis.

actually fairly

Replaces "really" with "actually" and "quite" with "fairly" offering a casual and balanced modification.

positively relatively

Employs "positively" to express assurance and "relatively" to introduce comparison, changing the focus from direct emphasis.

undeniably somewhat

Replaces "really" with "undeniably", indicating an indisputable fact, and "quite" with "somewhat", softening the statement.

genuinely reasonably

Substitutes "really" with "genuinely", emphasizing sincerity, and "quite" with "reasonably", indicating moderation.

FAQs

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

Use "really quite" to emphasize an adjective or adverb, indicating a moderate to high degree. For example, "The performance was really quite impressive" suggests it was more than just 'quite' impressive.

What are some alternatives to "really quite"?

Alternatives include "genuinely rather", "truly fairly", or simply using stronger adverbs like 'very' or 'extremely' depending on the desired level of emphasis.

Is "really quite" formal or informal?

"Really quite" leans towards the formal side but is versatile enough for neutral contexts. In very informal situations, consider more casual alternatives.

What's the difference between "really quite" and "very"?

"Very" is a stronger, more direct intensifier. "Really quite" adds a touch of understatement or refinement, suggesting a slightly more nuanced assessment than "very" does.