a rather quick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rather quick" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is relatively fast or done in a short amount of time. Example: "We had a rather quick meeting to discuss the project updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Mr. Paz is dead and out of fashion, so it seemed as if he was on a rather quick trip to the recycling bin.

The New York Times

The comment from the Vatican's chief spokesman Federico Lombardi that the trial "may be brief" has added to the feeling that the process will be a show trial and a rather quick one.

Independent

Earlier on Sunday Patten said on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that it was a "rather quick judgment" to say that Newsnight was, in the words of its presenter Eddie Mair, "toast".

The Guardian

Invention was devoted to new figural types, such as the hod carrier common to lower Germany and Austria; and events such as the Napoleonic Wars made a rather quick impact, as with the soldier motif and the appearance of handwritten and ornamented documents relating to military service.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Patten said on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show on Sundaythat it was a "rather quick judgment" to say whether Newsnight, in the words of its presenter Eddie Mair, was "toast", but he pointedly avoided saying the show would continue in its current form with its existing name.

The Guardian

So backing up at a rather quick pace Michalchuk loses a croc which almost trips him and aims his shotgun.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

If not, the app stores may begin rewarding those who don't build gaming companies focused on quality and lasting success, but rather quick make-a-buck gains.  .

TechCrunch

As it is, I'm older than my grandfather, And most days making fresh discoveries – That Rimsky wrote Rachmaninovian songs; How martins gather under a sky of greys; And down a garden wall a snail Moves rather quicker than a minute-hand.

The Guardian - Books

It's rather quick for an Android phone, and comes loaded with tons of fun software.

TechCrunch

The SLS AMG GT is also rather quick.

BBC

They can kill you rather quick!!!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a rather quick" when you want to subtly emphasize the speed of an action or event without being overly dramatic. It adds a touch of understated observation.

Common error

Avoid using "a rather quick" in very informal conversations where simpler words like "fast" or "quick" suffice. The "rather" adds a level of formality that may sound out of place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rather quick" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically modifying a noun to describe the speed or brevity of an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is generally seen as correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a rather quick" is a grammatically correct and usable adverbial phrase used to describe something that is relatively fast or done in a short amount of time, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. While not as common as simpler alternatives, "a rather quick" adds a touch of understated observation. When writing, use it to subtly emphasize speed without being overly dramatic, but avoid overusing it in very informal settings where simpler terms suffice. Remember, consider "a fairly swift" or "a somewhat rapid" as solid alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fairly rapid

Emphasizes the speed, using 'rapid' instead of 'quick' and 'fairly' instead of 'rather'.

a relatively swift

Substitutes 'quick' with 'swift', maintaining the sense of speed; 'relatively' adds a slight degree of comparison.

a reasonably fast

Replaces 'rather' with 'reasonably' and 'quick' with 'fast', both conveying a similar degree of speed.

a notably speedy

Uses 'speedy' to emphasize the quickness, and 'notably' to highlight its significance.

a surprisingly hasty

Replaces 'quick' with 'hasty', suggesting speed and perhaps a lack of thoroughness, and 'surprisingly' to add an element of unexpectedness.

an unexpectedly brief

Focuses on the short duration ('brief') rather than speed, emphasizing how unexpectedly short it was.

a remarkably prompt

Emphasizes the immediacy and lack of delay, using 'prompt' to convey efficient timing.

a considerably accelerated

Highlights the increase in speed or rate, suitable for describing a process that has been sped up.

an impressively expeditious

Uses 'expeditious' to emphasize efficiency and speed in completing a task, adding a layer of admiration.

a substantially abbreviated

Focuses on shortening or condensing, implying that something was made shorter than expected.

FAQs

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

Use "a rather quick" to describe something that happens faster than expected or is completed in a short amount of time. For example: "The meeting was "a rather quick" one, lasting only 15 minutes."

What are some alternatives to saying "a rather quick"?

You can use alternatives such as "a fairly rapid", "a relatively swift", or "a reasonably fast" depending on the context.

Is "a rather quick" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "a rather quick" can be suitable for formal writing, as "rather" adds a degree of formality. However, consider the overall tone and audience to ensure it fits appropriately. Simpler alternatives might be preferable in some cases.

What's the difference between "a quick" and "a rather quick"?

"A quick" simply denotes speed, while ""a rather quick"" adds a subtle emphasis or qualification to the speed. The "rather" suggests the quickness is somewhat notable or unexpected.