a rather less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rather less" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as "less" should be preceded by "a" only when referring to uncountable nouns, and "rather" is not commonly used with "less" in this context. Example: "I would prefer a rather smaller portion of dessert."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It would also create a rather less salubrious situation.

The Guardian

I am thinking of a rather less exalted pastime: the room-escape game.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is a rather less wholesome spinoff, too: the proliferation of Bake-Off-related drinking games.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On a rather less exotic level, it was the same deal with It.

The Guardian - Books

A rather less in your face film is on display at Kate MacGarry's gallery stall.

The Guardian - Arts

This theme -- of civilized men doing dispassionate analysis for a rather less civilized leadership -- runs strong.

The New York Times - Magazine

The same applies when I'm making a film, though admittedly on a rather less grand scale.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A rather less gentlemanly contest, I trust, than the annual Boat Race from Putney to Mortlake.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Back in April I wrote "Chopin List", a piece that examined the composer's music in vivid interpretations by Vassily Primakov, Marc-André Hamelin, and Nadia Reisenberg (as well as a rather less-than-vivid Lang Lang).

The New Yorker

Team Sunni breaks down into a more extremist wing and a rather less-insane wing.

Vice

Many elements of the account are embellished for dramatic effect: in fact, the actual journey started from New York, and was conducted in a rather less ostentatious vehicle than the much-vaunted "Expenso".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal or standard English, consider using alternatives like "somewhat less" or "slightly less" instead of "a rather less" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the article "a" before comparative adjectives like "less" without a specific noun. Instead of "a rather less important task", opt for "a somewhat less important task" or "a less important task".

Linguistic Context

The phrase, though commonly used, functions as an adverbial modifier intended to diminish the degree or extent of something. However, as Ludwig AI points out, its grammatical correctness is questionable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a rather less" is frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts, to express a diminished degree or extent. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect in standard written English, suggesting that "less" should typically not be preceded by "a" in this construction. For more formal or grammatically precise writing, alternatives such as "somewhat less" or "slightly less" are recommended. Despite its common occurrence, writers should exercise caution and consider more standard alternatives to ensure clarity and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat less

Replaces "rather" with "somewhat", offering a more standard and grammatically correct alternative to express a slight reduction.

a bit less

Substitutes "rather" with "a bit", resulting in a more informal but grammatically sound expression.

slightly less

Uses "slightly" instead of "rather" to indicate a minor decrease in degree or quantity.

relatively less

Employs "relatively" to suggest a comparative reduction, maintaining grammatical correctness.

a good deal less

Replaces "rather" with "a good deal" to suggest a more significant reduction, although might sound slightly more emphatic.

markedly less

Substitutes "rather" with "markedly" to emphasize a noticeable decrease.

noticeably less

Uses "noticeably" instead of "rather" to indicate that the reduction is easily observed.

significantly less

Employs "significantly" to highlight a substantial reduction, similar in meaning but more forceful.

appreciably less

Replaces "rather" with "appreciably" to convey that the reduction is considerable.

considerably less

Substitutes "rather" with "considerably" to indicate a substantial difference in quantity or degree.

FAQs

Is "a rather less" grammatically correct?

No, "a rather less" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's better to use alternatives such as "somewhat less" or "slightly less".

What can I say instead of "a rather less"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat less", "a bit less", or "slightly less" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a rather less" or "somewhat less"?

"Somewhat less" is generally considered the correct and more formal option. "A rather less" is often perceived as grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "a rather less important" and "a less important"?

"A less important" is the standard grammatically correct form. While "a rather less important" is sometimes used, it's often seen as an error. For added emphasis, you could also use "a somewhat less important".