really quite old

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really quite old" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the age of something, often in a conversational or informal context. Example: "This book is really quite old, dating back to the 19th century."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"I am really quite old now," he said.

The New York Times

It is, in any case, good to be reminded that sometimes there is a lot to be said for things that are really quite old.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Carey Mulligan is excellent: her face has a pinched girlish prettiness combined with a shrewd, slightly schoolmistressy intelligence – the sort of face which can appear very young and really quite old at the same time.

The Guardian - Film

Lee feels that at times she's struggled because "my computer is really quite old".

Science Magazine

The 'Exile' ones seemed really quite old and even though this is just seven years later it was just more immediate to me in some ways.

Los Angeles Times

Criticism was also made towards comments made by Jon Snow and Krishnan Guru-Murthy during the telecast; Snow was criticized for making comments about war-torn countries during the parade of nations, while Guru-Murthy received similar criticism for quipping that "looking at the ages of these athletes, which have been helpfully provided to us, they're really quite old".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The map is actually quite old.

Forbes

"Well, I still get surprised when I think to myself: 'You really are quite old now.' We are very lucky to have our faculties.

The Guardian - Music

And you asserted, really, a quite old-fashioned view of propriety and decency; I think you got it from your father who had been on Wall Street.

Huffington Post

TR: It's really quite strange because the old cliché is to stay true to yourself, and it doesn't hurt to be able to read music and understand it from that point of view.

Huffington Post

I have a lovely Orla Kiely suitcase that's quite old but I really like it.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really quite old" when you want to gently emphasize the age of something without being overly dramatic or negative. It's a polite way to indicate that something is noticeably old.

Common error

Avoid using "really quite old" repeatedly in your writing, as it can sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "considerably aged" or "noticeably mature" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really quite old" functions as an intensifier followed by a descriptive adjective. It modifies a noun to emphasize the degree of age. Ludwig provides examples showing its usage in various contexts to express the age of objects or concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

17%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "really quite old" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, best used to emphasize age in a slightly informal and polite manner. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is commonly found in News & Media and Science articles. While the phrase is acceptable, varying your vocabulary with alternatives like "considerably aged" or "noticeably mature" can improve your writing style. When determining the best usage for this term, take in account its intended meaning and the writing context where you intend to use the term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly aged

Similar to 'quite old' but uses 'fairly' for emphasis.

rather elderly

Indicates a significant level of seniority or advanced age.

considerably aged

Emphasizes the extent of the aging process.

genuinely old

Asserts the authenticity of the age, removing any doubt.

decidedly aged

Uses 'decidedly' to strongly indicate advanced age.

noticeably mature

Highlights the maturity resulting from age.

pretty ancient

Suggests something is very old, possibly historic or prehistoric.

somewhat antiquated

Focuses on being outdated or old-fashioned.

markedly senior

Highlights the seniority in age, more formal.

quite venerable

Emphasizes the respect and dignity associated with old age.

FAQs

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

You can use "really quite old" to describe something that is noticeably aged. For example, "This book is "really quite old", dating back to the 19th century".

What can I say instead of "really quite old"?

Alternatives include "very old", "rather old", or "considerably aged", depending on the specific context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is "really quite old" a formal or informal expression?

"Really quite old" leans towards informal usage. In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "significantly aged" or "markedly senior" to maintain a higher level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "really quite old" when referring to people?

While grammatically correct, using "really quite old" to describe a person might sound indirect or euphemistic. More direct and respectful alternatives include "elderly" or "senior", depending on the context and your relationship with the person.