a rather strong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rather strong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a significant intensity or force, often in relation to opinions, feelings, or flavors. Example: "The coffee had a rather strong flavor that lingered on the palate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(A rather strong use of the word "becomes" there, perhaps).

The Guardian - Books

With a kinetic fragility parameter of D* = 21.3, the alloy displays a rather strong liquid behavior.

Acta Materialia

Philo Farnsworth's travails make a rather strong case for big corporations, not against them.

The New Yorker

Available knowledge indicates that this points to a rather strong vortex circulation and related strong and persistent main flow velocity.

Developments in Sedimentology

Their non-thermal spectra and the evidence of a rather strong linear polarization suggest the synchrotron mechanism of radio emission.

Nature

Formula One: There's good news and bad news for Ferrari after a rather strong showing at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

The New York Times

McGrain v. Daugherty found legislative justification in a congressional inquiry which presented a rather strong element of exposure of past wrongdoing, to be sure.

Cornell University

Artifact-centered assumptions about design not only reinforce a widespread misunderstanding of routines as things, they implicitly embody a rather strong form of technological determinism.

Information and Organization

We prove that such a MOSFET channel design is compatible with a rather strong reduction of gate leakage (∼10) obtained through purely-strain-induced properties.

Physica E: Low-dimensional Systems and Nanostructures

In the special case that the scheme converges in the sense of graphs – a rather strong convergence property often violated in practice – then this measure source-term vanishes.

Journal of Computational Physics

This won't be easy since light has a rather strong natural tendency to keep travelling if it doesn't encounter any obstacles.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a rather strong", ensure the context clarifies what aspect is strong. For example, "a rather strong argument" is more effective if the basis of the argument is evident.

Common error

Avoid stacking intensifiers (e.g., "a very rather strong"). Choose the single most appropriate adjective to convey the desired level of intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rather strong" functions as a pre-modifier to a noun, intensifying its quality. It qualifies the noun by indicating a significant degree of strength or intensity. Ludwig AI's examples highlight its usage in describing arguments, performances, and connections.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

40%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a rather strong" is a common and grammatically correct way to emphasize the intensity of an attribute. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s used across various contexts, including science, news, and academia, with a neutral register. When using this phrase, it’s essential to ensure the context clearly indicates the aspect being described as strong. Be mindful of overuse and consider more precise adjectives for enhanced impact. Alternatives include "a significantly strong" or "a particularly strong". While "strong" is already a clear adjective, "a rather strong" provides a subtle degree of emphasis, making it particularly effective when the strength is noteworthy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significantly strong

Replaces "rather" with "significantly", emphasizing the degree of strength.

a particularly strong

Emphasizes the strength by using "particularly" instead of "rather".

a considerably strong

Substitutes "rather" with "considerably", highlighting the notable degree of strength.

a comparatively strong

Substitutes "rather" with "comparatively", suggesting the strength is notable when compared to something else.

a very strong

Uses "very" instead of "rather" for direct emphasis.

a quite strong

Uses "quite" instead of "rather", offering a more casual emphasis on the strength.

a moderately strong

Uses "moderately" instead of "rather", indicating a somewhat strong level.

a relatively strong

Replaces "rather" with "relatively", implying strength in relation to a specific context or benchmark.

a sufficiently strong

Indicates that the strength is adequate or enough for a specific purpose.

a somewhat strong

Replaces "rather" with "somewhat", indicating a slight degree of strength.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rather strong" to describe something possessing considerable intensity or force. For example, "The evidence presented made "a rather strong case" for the defendant's innocence".

What are some alternatives to "a rather strong"?

Alternatives include "a significantly strong", "a particularly strong", or "a very strong", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a rather strong" in formal writing?

Yes, "a rather strong" is acceptable in formal writing. However, consider whether a more precise adjective (e.g., "compelling", "forceful") might be more effective depending on your context.

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

"A strong" indicates straightforward strength. "A rather strong" implies the strength is somewhat noteworthy or perhaps surprising, adding a subtle layer of emphasis.