a rather thin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rather thin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lacks substance, depth, or thickness, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The report provided a rather thin analysis of the situation, lacking the necessary details to support its conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Sadly, Roosevelt left behind a rather thin paper trail.

The New York Times - Books

He was wearing a rather thin camouflage-print windbreaker over his sweatshirt.

The New York Times

It was accompanied by a shrug of a side-salad and a rather thin, unpleasant coleslaw.

The Guardian - Travel

Well, perhaps; meanwhile there was a rather thin attendance in stalls and boxes last night, but the lovers of true art in the gallery applauded to the echo".

The New York Times - Arts

If the set of Wisconsin polls shows a clearer shift toward Mr. Obama, however, as in Pennsylvania and Michigan, Mr. Romney will be working from a rather thin electoral map.

The New York Times

An almost religious meditation on the persistence of guilt and memory, and the desire for forgiveness, the drama uses a rather thin plot to tread across established O'Neill themes.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Although possessing a rather thin-toned tenor voice, Astaire received much praise from jazz critics for his innate sense of swing and his conversational way with a song.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The game's second "proper" boss encounter pitches the trio against a couple of cactus-like Pokeys, one a tower of spiked spheres and the other a rather thinner, but no less pointy, version.

Vice

He faced a big (though not quite full) crowd, armed with only a pretty good voice and a handful of rather thin, slow jams.

The New York Times - Arts

"Lowell Lake was a tall man, rather thin, with thin sandy hair and a distant, preoccupied, though amiable disposition," the novel begins, a description that applied to the author as well.

The New York Times

Lyric fiction has become, inevitably, a style, a manner, and the pitfalls of its mannerisms became clear with the publication of Ondaatje's "Divisadero" in 2007, a book whose rather thin narrative thread all but disappeared in a fog of self-conscious artistry.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a rather thin" to describe an argument or explanation, ensure you provide additional details or context to strengthen the point. Avoid leaving the reader with a sense of incompleteness.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on the phrase "a rather thin" to criticize or describe something. Instead, elaborate on why it's thin, providing specific examples or evidence to support your assessment. This prevents your statement from sounding vague or unsubstantiated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rather thin" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its lack of substance, depth, or physical thickness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rather thin" is a common adjectival phrase used to describe something lacking substance, depth, or physical thickness. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is correct and the phrase is found across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While grammatically sound, overusing it without further elaboration can make your writing seem unsubstantiated. Consider alternatives such as "a somewhat thin" or "a fairly thin" for slight variations in meaning. Overall, "a rather thin" is a versatile phrase for expressing a moderate degree of inadequacy or insubstantiality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a somewhat thin

Replace "rather" with "somewhat", indicating a slight degree of thinness.

a fairly thin

Substitute "rather" with "fairly", suggesting a moderate degree of thinness.

a quite thin

Replace "rather" with "quite", indicating a noticeable degree of thinness.

a pretty thin

Uses "pretty" instead of "rather", offering a more informal tone.

a relatively thin

Emphasizes the thinness in comparison to something else.

a comparatively thin

Highlights thinness through comparison, similar to "relatively thin".

a noticeably thin

Emphasizes that the thinness is easily observed.

a markedly thin

Suggests a distinct or conspicuous degree of thinness.

a palpably thin

Suggests the thinness is so evident that it can be easily perceived.

a suspiciously thin

Adds a sense of doubt or concern about the thinness.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rather thin" to describe something lacking substance, depth, or physical thickness. For example: "The plot of the movie was "a rather thin" attempt to capitalize on the success of the original."

What are some alternatives to "a rather thin"?

Alternatives to "a rather thin" include "a somewhat thin", "a fairly thin", or "a relatively thin", depending on the degree of thinness you want to convey.

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

While grammatically correct, "a rather thin" may be considered less formal. For formal writing, consider stronger or more precise adjectives to describe the lack of substance or thickness.

How does the meaning of "a rather thin" differ from "a very thin"?

"A very thin" implies a higher degree of thinness compared to "a rather thin". "A rather thin" suggests a moderate level of thinness, while "a very thin" indicates extreme thinness.