a rather more

USAGE SUMMARY

"a rather more" is correct and usable in written English.
Generally, you use it when you are comparing two things or two quantities of something. For example, "She needed a rather more complex plan in order to achieve her goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A rather more conventional husband than now?

The Guardian

This was a rather more sedate affair.

The Guardian - Music

Instead, we had a rather more traditional offering.

Independent

Typing is a rather more laborious process than usual.

Independent

Or honey bear, a rather more approachable animal?

The Guardian - Sport

Kai himself took a rather more nonchalant approach.

The Guardian

A rather more uncomfortable picture of modern Britain.

The Guardian - Opinion

spared Silvestre a rather more humiliating inquest after his debut.

The Guardian - Sport

Regulating the development and use of autonomous robots will require a rather more elaborate framework.

The Economist

The book itself paints a rather more complicated picture of Emma's situation.

The New Yorker

It was his friend, Mr. Darcy, who had made a rather more sour impression.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a rather more" to subtly suggest a higher degree or quality compared to something else. It's suitable for conveying a measured increase without being overly emphatic.

Common error

Avoid using "a rather more" when the difference is actually substantial. Opt for phrases like "significantly more" or "considerably more" to accurately reflect the magnitude.

Linguistic Context

Adverbial phrases like "a rather more" serve to modify adjectives, adverbs, or verbs by adding a degree of intensity or comparison. It functions to qualify a statement, indicating a subtle increase or refinement. As evidenced by Ludwig AI and its examples, this construction effectively modulates the impact of the modified term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rather more" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI, predominantly found in news and media contexts. It serves as a subtle qualifier, indicating a moderate degree of difference or enhancement. While versatile, it's important to avoid overstating the intended difference. For alternatives, consider ""a somewhat more"" or ""a slightly more"" for similar nuances, or "a significantly more" if a greater difference is intended. Ultimately, "a rather more" is a useful phrase for expressing measured comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a somewhat more

Implies a slightly lesser degree of difference than "a rather more".

a significantly more

Indicates a greater degree of difference or impact.

a considerably more

Suggests a noticeable and substantial difference.

an appreciably more

Highlights that the difference is easily recognized or measured.

a noticeably more

Emphasizes that the difference is easily observed.

a distinctly more

Highlights the clarity and recognizability of the difference.

an altogether more

Implies a complete or total difference in character.

a substantially more

Indicates a large or major difference.

an altogether different

Indicates a complete change, moving away from similarity in general.

a totally different

Indicates complete dissimilarity, a strong departure from the original.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rather more" to indicate a slight increase in a particular quality or characteristic. For example, "The updated version offers "a rather more efficient solution" than its predecessor."

What are some alternatives to "a rather more"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a somewhat more", "a slightly more", or "a considerably more". The best choice depends on the degree of difference you want to convey.

Is "a rather more" formal or informal?

"A rather more" leans towards neutral to slightly formal usage. It is suitable for professional writing, news articles, and academic papers, but might sound a bit stilted in very casual conversation.

How does "a rather more" compare to "much more"?

"A rather more" suggests a smaller degree of difference than "much more". While "much more" indicates a significant increase, "a rather more" indicates a more subtle enhancement or distinction.