a rather long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rather long" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a considerable length or duration, often in a subjective manner. Example: "The meeting turned out to be a rather long discussion about the new project timelines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

CONS: It's a rather long walk to the nearest subway.

The New York Times

It has been a rather long time coming.

The New York Times

Seems like a rather long gestation period, for a vehicle that looks prêt-à-porter now.

The New York Times

It is about 13 cm long, with a rather long tail and a tiny bill.

Encyclopedia Britannica

BERTIE: Waiting for me to commence a conversation, one can wait a rather long wait.

The New York Times

Well, basically, those people who are trying to save the world have a rather long agenda.

The New York Times - Magazine

First up was Salma Hayek, who sat with him (I thought) for a rather long time.

The New Yorker

It is, she says with a reluctant sigh, a rather long story.

The Guardian - Books

After a rather long journey they come to a shop and she drinks a glass of it.

The New Yorker

But I had signed a rather long contract with the Japanese, and in my career I've always honored my commitments.

The New York Times

"It's a rather long and careful thought process that goes into deciding who to match each client with," he says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a rather long" to subtly indicate that something is longer than expected or desired, adding a touch of understatement.

Common error

Avoid using "rather" excessively in your writing. While "a rather long" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound stilted or affected. Consider using more direct alternatives like "quite long" or "very long" for clearer communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rather long" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, describing its length or duration. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it describes time, distance, or periods.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a rather long" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase employed to subtly describe something as being of considerable length or duration. According to Ludwig, it appears commonly across news and media, scientific literature, and encyclopedic content. While 'rather' adds a touch of understatement, be mindful of overuse. For alternatives, consider "somewhat lengthy" or "fairly extended" to introduce variation in your writing. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is valid and appropriate for use in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a somewhat lengthy

Replaces "rather" with "somewhat", slightly reducing the emphasis on the length.

a fairly extended

Uses "fairly" and "extended" to convey a similar meaning, focusing on the prolonged nature.

a considerably prolonged

Emphasizes the prolonged nature more strongly by using "considerably".

an unusually protracted

Implies the duration is beyond the norm using "unusually protracted".

a substantially lasting

Focuses on the lasting nature of something being long with "substantially lasting".

a notably extensive

Highlights the extent of something, suggesting a broad reach or duration.

a remarkably enduring

Emphasizes the capacity to last for a long time.

a particularly sustained

Focuses on the continuation of something over a notable time.

a surprisingly prolonged

Adds an element of unexpectedness to the duration.

a significantly stretched

Uses "stretched" to highlight that something might be longer than desirable.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rather long" to describe the duration or length of something, such as "The movie was "a rather long one"" or "It took "a rather long time" to complete the project".

What phrases are similar to "a rather long"?

Similar phrases include "quite long", "fairly long", "somewhat long", or "pretty long". The best choice depends on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a rather long" or "a very long"?

"A rather long" and "a very long" are both grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "A rather long" suggests a subtle degree of lengthiness, perhaps with a hint of mild surprise or reservation. "A very long" is a more direct and emphatic statement of length.

What is the difference between "a rather long" and "a relatively long"?

"A rather long" implies a subjective assessment of length, whereas "a relatively long" suggests a comparison to something else. For example, "The book was "a rather long read"" is a general observation, while "The book was "a relatively long read" compared to his other novels" provides context.