Rather foolish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Rather foolish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or decision that is considered unwise or lacking in good judgment. Example: "It was rather foolish of him to invest all his savings in a single venture without doing proper research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Film

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

He looks rather foolish.

The Guardian

I think it's rather foolish when scientists do so.

The Guardian

Suddenly, the brands that had sniffed at e-commerce looked rather foolish.

The New York Times

It's really a kind of rhapsody, my perhaps rather foolish praise of the medium.

The New York Times

However, aside from making his opponents look stupid, Suarez also looked rather foolish himself this afternoon.

Independent

And if his theory is true, then the university will be left looking rather foolish.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

He did not, however, fight it out with a real bear: the movie's central animal attack was Iñárritu's only concession to CGI, and was shot with a rather foolish-looking bloke in a mo-cap bear suit.

The Guardian - Film

Admittedly it's a step up from Blurred Lines being performed by a middle-aged non-physicist (perhaps the kindest description of Robin Thicke that has ever been committed to print), but the choice to sing one of the most controversial, career-killing songs of recent memory was rather a foolish one.

The Guardian

In 2006 he described Cameron's decision as "a bit foolish, rather dangerous".

The Guardian

Francis was a foolish, rather sad man, and Clifford felt protective towards him.

The Guardian

MPs voted by a majority of 320 not to expel the respected Maudling whose conduct was deemed foolish rather than corrupt.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather foolish" to express a mild degree of foolishness or lack of good judgment. It is more subtle than saying something is simply "foolish".

Common error

Avoid using "rather foolish" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "somewhat unwise" or "slightly absurd" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather foolish" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something or someone as lacking good sense or judgment. It serves to qualify the degree of foolishness, implying a moderate level of imprudence, as validated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Opinion

15%

Film

10%

Less common in

Sports

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather foolish" is a commonly used adjectival phrase that expresses a mild degree of foolishness or lack of good judgment. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it is suitable for both neutral and slightly informal registers. Remember to use it judiciously and consider synonyms like "somewhat unwise" to avoid repetition. Use "rather foolish" to express a mild opinion or subtle criticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pretty ill-advised

Highlights that the action was not recommended or thought out well.

somewhat unwise

Emphasizes a lack of wisdom but to a lesser degree than "rather foolish".

somewhat misguided

Indicates a misdirection or flawed understanding leading to the foolishness.

a little unwise

Similar to "somewhat unwise" but uses "little" to indicate a minor lack of wisdom.

a bit imprudent

Focuses on the lack of careful consideration before acting.

a touch irrational

Focuses on the lack of logic or reason behind the action.

slightly absurd

Highlights the illogical or unreasonable nature of the action.

mildly ridiculous

Emphasizes the laughable or derisory aspect of the action or decision.

somewhat silly

Suggests a lack of seriousness or good sense.

kind of daft

Suggests a foolishness born of being absentminded or inattentive.

FAQs

How can I use "rather foolish" in a sentence?

You can use "rather foolish" to describe actions or decisions that seem unwise. For example: "It was "rather foolish" of him to invest all his money without researching first."

What's a more formal alternative to "rather foolish"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "somewhat unwise" or "pretty ill-advised". These options maintain a level of politeness while still conveying disapproval.

Is "rather foolish" too informal for academic writing?

While not strictly informal, "rather foolish" might be better replaced with a more precise and academic phrase depending on the context. Consider "somewhat misguided" or "a bit imprudent" in formal writing.

What's the difference between "rather foolish" and "very foolish"?

"Rather foolish" implies a milder degree of foolishness compared to "very foolish". Using "rather" softens the criticism, making it less harsh than saying something is "very foolish".