"Quite" before an adjective

Question

"THC has a quite precise modus operandi that taps into a specific brain function"

In the above example (link), quite is used before the adjective precise

But this OLD link says,

When quite is used with an adjective before a noun, it comes before a or an. You can say: It’s quite a small house or Their house is quite small but not - It’s a quite small house.

So I'm quite confused here whether to use quite before a or after it. Which one of the following example is correct?

"THC has a quite precise modus operandi that taps into a specific brain function"

Or

"THC has quite a precise modus operandi that taps into a specific brain function"

And also please explain the grammar rule behind it.

Thanks

Answer 1

The grammar point you in the right direction, "quite should come before a/an and even the":

"THC has quite a precise modus operandi that taps into a specific brain function"

BBC also states that the rule is quite + a/an + (adjective) noun:

When quite is used to modify nouns or adjectives with nouns, it normally has the meaning of rather. Compare the following:

• I know they left in a hurry. How did they leave the house? ~ Oh, it was in quite a mess.
• How was the house contents auction? ~ Oh, it was quite a success. Nearly everything went.
• Let's take a picnic with us. I think it's going to be quite a nice day.
• Did you get to see Hamlet at the Barbican? ~ Yes, it was quite an interesting production.

The usage "a quite + adjective" is less common and appears more often in Academic writing. There's no other difference between the two even if some state there is.

Answer 2

THS has a quite precise modus operandi that laps into a specific brain function.

There's nothing wrong grammatically with this sentence. You cn also say "......has quite a precise modus operandi......".

You normally use the format "quite a/an + adjective + noun". However, in case of the adjective precise, the use of "a" before quite is more common according to Ngram viewers.