a rather bigger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rather bigger" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is typically used incorrectly because "rather" and "bigger" are not compatible in this context; "rather" suggests a degree of comparison that does not align with the comparative form "bigger." Example: "I would prefer a bigger room, rather than a smaller one."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

One reason is that many people in higher education are focused on a rather bigger picture.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, somewhere far across the planet, a rather bigger crack echoes out from the USSR.

The Guardian - Books

My yacht's a very small one and [it's] moored off the coast of Scotland; his yacht's a rather bigger one".

The Guardian

The hot rock in the film was another diamond – a rather bigger one than you find on the average engagement ring.

The Guardian - Music

Combined, the threats to Sky's dominant position in the UK TV market is likely to prove a rather bigger fly to swat away than, say, ITV Digital.

The Guardian

A bit of googling indicates that it's an art statement by Norwegian conceptualist Auden Mortensen, and a call to publisher Flamme Forlag reveals that they have plans for a rather bigger edition, of 500, due next month.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Isn't the RFU a rather big business?

The Guardian - Sport

"Isn't that a rather big problem?" I ask.

The Guardian - Travel

There is in this position, though, a catch, and a rather big one.

The New Yorker

Additionally, managing large anti-corruption programmes in low-income countries is now a rather big business.

The Guardian

"And so we went for it in a rather big way.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "a rather bigger" appears in published text, prefer alternatives like "a significantly larger" or "a much bigger" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid combining "rather" directly with comparative adjectives like "bigger". "Rather" typically modifies positive adjectives. Instead of "rather bigger", use "much bigger" or "significantly larger".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rather bigger" functions as a modifier indicating size. However, Ludwig AI suggests this phrase is not standard English, so it's not advisable to use in formal contexts. Although, it appears in some sources, alternative phrasing is recommended.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a rather bigger" aims to express a size comparison, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not considered grammatically sound or standard English. Although it appears in various sources, primarily in the News & Media and Science categories, it's advisable to use alternatives such as "much bigger" or "significantly larger" for improved clarity and adherence to conventional grammar. Using such alternatives will reduce ambiguity and raise the overall quality of your writing. The phrase frequency is uncommon, suggesting its use is not frequent in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a much bigger

More direct and common way of expressing a larger size.

a considerably larger

Emphasizes a substantial difference in size.

substantially larger

Stresses the considerable extent of the size difference.

a significantly larger

Indicates an important difference in magnitude.

a noticeably bigger

Highlights that the size difference is easily observed.

appreciably bigger

Suggests a difference that is large enough to be important or worth considering.

materially bigger

Highlights that the size difference is relevant and significant.

a good deal bigger

Implies that the item is considerably bigger.

somewhat bigger

Indicates that the item is slightly bigger.

moderately bigger

Expresses a difference that is in the middle, not too small, not too large.

FAQs

What does "a rather bigger" mean?

The phrase "a rather bigger" is generally intended to mean "a much bigger" or "a significantly larger", but it is not considered standard English usage. It attempts to express that something is considerably larger than something else.

How can I use "a rather bigger" correctly in a sentence?

While the construction itself is questionable, you're better off using "significantly larger" or "much bigger" instead of "a rather bigger" for better clarity and adherence to standard English.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a rather bigger"?

No, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. The word "rather" is typically used to modify positive adjectives, not comparatives. It's better to use phrases like "a good deal bigger" or "a much bigger".

What are some alternatives to "a rather bigger"?

Some alternatives include "a considerably larger", "a significantly larger", or "a much bigger depending on the specific context".