a rather small

USAGE SUMMARY

"a rather small" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that is considerably smaller than the average size or amount, such as, "It was a rather small living room compared to others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We're trying to preserve a rather small village feel".

The New York Times

A rather small one, as this book unintentionally shows.

The New York Times - Books

"Hamleys is a rather small company with a very big brand.

The Guardian - Business

The EX35 carries a lot of technology for a rather small vehicle.

The New York Times

After a time the door opened slowly and a rather small boy looked out at him.

The New Yorker

This may sound like a rather small change, but it's a big step for Traveller's Tales.

The Guardian - Tech

More specifically, it contains a rather small aggregate of egg-stuff.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The plant is grown commercially (usually on a rather small scale) in many subtropical regions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They like the idea of a rather small place which places them in the top jobs.

The Economist

M100 represents a rather small metro network.

Urban Rail Transit

But isn't it a rather small no camp these days?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a rather small", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared to. For example, "a rather small portion" implies the portion is small relative to a standard serving size or expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "a rather small" when the size is negligible or irrelevant. Instead, consider alternatives like "insignificant" or simply omitting the descriptor if the size doesn't impact the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rather small" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that it is less than average in size or amount. As per Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rather small" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase, according to Ludwig AI, that indicates something is less than average in size or amount. It is frequently found in scientific and news-related contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear and the degree of smallness is accurately represented. While "rather" adds emphasis, avoid redundancy by choosing simpler alternatives when appropriate. The phrase is generally suitable for various formality levels, making it a versatile choice for describing size in a nuanced way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comparatively limited

Emphasizes the limited scope in comparison to something else.

a relatively tiny

Replaces 'small' with 'tiny' for stronger emphasis on smallness and 'rather' with 'relatively' to keep the intended meaning.

a fairly diminutive

Substitutes 'small' with the more formal 'diminutive' and 'rather' with 'fairly'.

a considerably reduced

Highlights the aspect of reduction in size or amount.

a noticeably miniature

Uses 'miniature' to amplify the sense of smallness and 'noticeably' to indicate it's easily observed.

a moderately undersized

Uses 'undersized' to specify that something is below the standard size, tempered by 'moderately'.

a somewhat petite

Employs 'petite', often used for delicate smallness, along with 'somewhat' to soften the statement.

a slightly compact

Replaces 'small' with 'compact' to suggest smallness due to being tightly packed.

a reasonably minimal

Emphasizes that the quantity or extent is as small as it reasonably can be.

a plainly little

Replaces 'small' with 'little' to emphasize cuteness or affection. 'Plainly' keeps the nuance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rather small" to describe something that is less than average in size, amount, or degree. For example: "The apartment had "a rather small kitchen"".

What are some alternatives to "a rather small"?

Alternatives include "relatively tiny", "fairly diminutive", or "somewhat petite" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a rather small"?

While "rather" intensifies "small", it's not necessarily redundant. It adds a degree of emphasis, indicating the size is noticeably less than expected. However, context is important, and sometimes simpler words might be enough.

How does "a rather small" differ from "a very small"?

"A very small" indicates a high degree of smallness, while "a rather small" suggests something is smaller than average, but not necessarily extremely so. "A very small" is generally a stronger statement.