to quite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to quite" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be a typographical error or confusion with the phrase "to quit" or "to quite" as an adverb meaning "to a certain extent." Example: "I would like to quite enjoy the concert, but I have other commitments."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I used to quite like queen scallops.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He seems to quite enjoy the adulation.

The Guardian - Business

That was the silent understanding we came to, quite early.

The New Yorker

It also led to quite a few good things.

The Economist

"We're not used to quite that much traffic," he said.

The New York Times - Food

"And we've been to quite a lot of them".

The New York Times - Science

Definitions vary as to quite what constitutes romantic fiction.

Independent

No one seems to quite know for sure.

The New York Times

It all adds up to quite an indictment.

The New Yorker

It ranged from incredibly detailed to quite brief.

The Guardian - Tech

"I grew to quite like that," she admits.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, replace "to quite" with more specific adverbs like "completely", "fully", or "rather" depending on the intended degree.

Common error

Avoid placing "quite" directly after "to" when intending to modify a verb. Instead, ensure "quite" correctly modifies the intended adjective or adverb to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to quite" is often intended as an adverbial modifier, attempting to intensify or qualify the action or state described by a verb or adjective. However, Ludwig AI flags this usage as grammatically incorrect in standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

42%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "to quite" appears frequently in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect in standard English. It often serves as an attempt to modify the degree or extent of an action, but more precise adverbs like "completely", "fully", or "rather" are generally preferred. Although very common, careful writers should consider more standard alternatives to ensure clarity and correctness. The authoritative sources tend to avoid using "to quite", while the less formal ones appear to use it more often.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to completely

Emphasizes a higher degree of completion or totality compared to "to quite".

to entirely

Implies a full or whole extent, differing in emphasis from "to quite".

to very

Suggests a simple intensification, less nuanced than "to quite".

to pretty

Indicates a moderate degree, slightly less formal than "to quite".

to absolutely

Stresses certainty and decisiveness, unlike the potential moderation of "to quite".

to fairly

Conveys a sense of justice or impartiality, a different connotation than "to quite".

to rather

Indicates preference or inclination, a nuance not present in "to quite".

to comparatively

Involves a comparison, which is absent in the direct assertion of "to quite".

to relatively

Expresses something in relation to something else, unlike the standalone nature of "to quite".

to somehow

Introduces an element of uncertainty or manner, distinct from the degree implied by "to quite".

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "to quite"?

No, the phrase "to quite" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's often a misuse or confusion with other grammatical structures.

What are some alternatives to using "to quite"?

Depending on the intended meaning, you could use phrases like "to completely", "to fully", or "to rather". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How does the meaning change if I replace "to quite" with "to fully"?

Replacing "to quite" with "to fully" implies a more complete or thorough action. "Quite" can sometimes suggest a partial or moderate degree, while "fully" indicates completion.

In what contexts might I mistakenly use "to quite"?

You might mistakenly use "to quite" when trying to express a moderate degree of something, such as "I want to quite enjoy the movie". A better phrasing would be "I want to rather enjoy the movie" or "I want to fully enjoy the movie" depending on the nuance you intend to convey.