a rather good idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rather good idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a positive opinion about an idea, suggesting that it is better than average or quite acceptable. Example: "After discussing the proposal, I think we can agree that it's a rather good idea to move forward with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It was a rather good idea.

The Guardian

"Some of these moments — the upper class were going, 'Oh yes, it would be a rather good idea, I wouldn't mind hunting the Jews,' " Baron Cohen said, slipping, for a few seconds, into the persona of a plummy-voiced squire.

The New Yorker

And I climbed into bed with my grandmother and thought that this would really be a rather good idea and Herbie was getting slightly worried about how far it was going.

The Guardian - Film

I suspect that we may quickly learn the challenges of operating on the other side of a 12 hour time difference with our "usual" headquarters in New York.This sounds like a rather good idea, and makes an impressive statement of intent to Starwood's Chinese customers.

The Economist

Unusually, it's run in Kiev, Ukraine, which turns out to be a rather good idea because Russians can easily travel there without a Visa, and so can Western Europeans, as can many people from Central and Eastern Europe and CIS countries.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Rather a good idea, in my opinion.

The New Yorker

Actually, it might be rather a good idea.

The Guardian - Money

Still, I did not want the people there to guess my ignorance; so I hit upon what I thought to be rather a good idea.

The New Yorker

Capturing the methane and burning it suddenly looks like rather a good idea.

BBC

Parakeets feel safe with they have an area to retreat to, so putting the cage against a wall is a good idea (rather than the bird feelings exposed on all sides).

WikiHow

But Novak says he appreciated that Flaherty didn't treat him like a celeb, but rather a guy with a good idea that wasn't great yet.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a rather good idea" to express a subtly enthusiastic endorsement of a plan or suggestion. It conveys a sense of considered approval.

Common error

Avoid using "rather" excessively in casual conversations. While "a rather good idea" is perfectly acceptable, overuse can make your speech sound overly formal or stilted in everyday settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rather good idea" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or an object. It serves to positively characterize a plan, suggestion, or concept. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rather good idea" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express approval in a subtly enthusiastic way. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is acceptable and commonly found in News & Media. While not overly formal, it's best suited for professional or semi-formal settings. Related phrases include "a pretty good idea" or "a fairly good idea". Remember to avoid overusing "rather" in casual contexts to maintain a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pretty good idea

Replaces "rather" with "pretty", indicating a slightly less formal and intense degree of goodness.

a fairly good idea

Substitutes "rather" with "fairly", suggesting a similar level of goodness but with a slightly different nuance.

quite a good idea

Uses "quite" instead of "rather", implying a similar level of approval or positivity.

a genuinely good idea

Replaces "rather" with "genuinely", emphasizing the authenticity and sincerity of the idea's goodness.

a remarkably good idea

Substitutes "rather" with "remarkably", highlighting the exceptional quality of the idea.

a surprisingly good idea

Implies the idea was unexpectedly good, adding a sense of novelty.

a considerably good idea

Uses "considerably" to emphasize the extent to which the idea is good.

a very sound idea

Replaces "good" with "sound", focusing on the reliability and logic of the idea.

a commendable idea

Replaces "good" with "commendable", highlighting that the idea is worthy of praise and approval.

an excellent concept

Substitutes the entire phrase to emphasize the exceptional quality of the idea.

FAQs

How can I use "a rather good idea" in a sentence?

You can use "a rather good idea" to express mild approval or agreement. For example: "Implementing this new software seems like "a rather good idea" to me."

What are some alternatives to saying "a rather good idea"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a pretty good idea", "a fairly good idea", or "a very sound idea", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "a rather good idea" or "a very good idea"?

"A rather good idea" suggests a slightly more refined or subtle approval compared to "a very good idea", which is more direct. The choice depends on the desired tone.

When is it best to use "a rather good idea"?

This phrase is suitable in situations where you want to express agreement without being overly enthusiastic. It's often used in professional or semi-formal settings.