we quite know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we quite know" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It can be used to express a degree of certainty or familiarity with a subject, but it is more often replaced with simpler phrases. Example: "While we quite know the challenges ahead, we are prepared to face them."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Nor do we quite know what was being planned.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We never quite know what we're looking at.

The Guardian - Arts

And because we are pressing on to new territory, we don’t quite know what to expect".

Forbes

Seething about what, we never quite know.

Independent

We never quite know, but Carrère isn't offering any answers.

The Guardian - Film

The killer is, we never quite know when returns are coming.

The Guardian - Books

It's the great mystery we never quite know.

Huffington Post

We don't quite know where we're going, or what we're doing.

The Guardian

"We didn't quite know what we were doing," Mr. Trew said.

The New York Times

And we needed him because when we got there we didn't quite know what to do.

The Guardian - Music

The last pages of the book depict quicksand opening beneath her; we know, and yet we don't quite know, what has happened.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger alternatives like "fully understand" or "are well aware" for clearer and more impactful communication. Overusing "quite" can dilute the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid relying on "quite" as a universal intensifier. While grammatically correct, it can weaken your statement. Instead, opt for stronger adverbs or rephrase for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we quite know" functions as a statement of knowledge or understanding, where "quite" modifies the verb "know" to indicate a certain degree of familiarity or awareness. Ludwig AI points out it may sound awkward to some readers.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we quite know" is grammatically acceptable but may not be the most common or impactful choice for expressing understanding. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase may sound awkward to some readers. It is primarily found in news and media contexts. For clearer communication, consider stronger alternatives like "fully understand" or "are well aware". While the phrase isn't incorrect, mindful selection of synonyms can enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we fully understand

This alternative replaces "quite know" with a stronger expression of comprehension, "fully understand".

we completely understand

Similar to "fully understand", this emphasizes the completeness of understanding.

we are well aware

This phrase substitutes "quite know" with "well aware", emphasizing a clear understanding or knowledge of something.

we definitely know

Using "definitely know" strengthens the assertion of knowledge compared to "quite know".

we certainly know

Replacing "quite" with "certainly" adds emphasis to the certainty of the knowledge.

we clearly know

This alternative highlights the clarity of the knowledge, implying that the information is unambiguous.

we realize fully

This option focuses on the act of realization or understanding, replacing "know" with "realize" and strengthening it with "fully".

we have a strong understanding

Similar to “have a firm grasp”, this option replaces the verb “know” to emphasize the level of comprehension and knowledge that is being shared.

we are fully cognizant

This is a more formal alternative, replacing "know" with "cognizant" to denote awareness or knowledge.

we have a firm grasp

This phrase implies a confident understanding or command of the subject matter.

FAQs

How can I use "we quite know" in a sentence?

You can use "we quite know" to express a moderate level of certainty or familiarity. For instance, "While "we quite know" the challenges ahead, we are prepared to face them."

What can I say instead of "we quite know"?

You can use alternatives like "we fully understand", "we are well aware", or "we certainly know" depending on the context.

Is "we quite know" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we quite know" is grammatically correct, but it may sound slightly formal or old-fashioned to some listeners. More common phrases like "we understand" or "we are aware" are generally preferred.

What is the difference between "we quite know" and "we fully know"?

"We quite know" suggests a moderate level of understanding, while "we fully know" implies a complete and thorough understanding. The latter is stronger and more definitive.