a rather weird

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rather weird" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is strange or unusual in a somewhat mild or understated way. Example: "The movie had a rather weird plot twist that left the audience confused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Then comes a rather weird wideball.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To be fair, this is a rather weird spot.

The Guardian

Photograph: Martin Rose/Getty Images Mueller does a rather weird dance in celebration.

The Guardian - Sport

"I do agree that it has come to a rather weird state in our game, where it's getting to look more and more like European soccer," said Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, who believes the problem has grown over the last five years.

The New York Times - Sports

I also found that a custom notification sound I use faded in instead of simply playing, leading to a rather weird phased effect.

TechCrunch

Considering that many of the startups in which VCs invest are built around a new computing technology on the software or hardware side, this is a rather weird and inexplicable irony.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

If muscle cells emerged only once in a eumetazoan ancestor with MHCIIb correlatively becoming exclusively muscular, then the observed non-muscular expression of ctenophore PpiMHCIIb2 must be interpreted as derived, and we would face a unique and rather weird instance of a formerly muscular myosin having shifted to non-muscular function.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

While Tony Blair's rather weird memoir contains a line at the end saying he has always had "a passion bigger than politics, which is religion," that shows only what an oddity Blair was in his own country.

The New York Times - Magazine

In these camps, Karen people require medical attention for a range of ailments, including this rather weird thing some of the guys get into.

Vice

As with Nuts, it has lots of sport and gadgets, and a rather informative weird facts page ("The chances of hitting two holes in one during a round of golf are one in 67 million").

The Guardian - Opinion

It's obviously not a UFO in the sense of "aliens taking over the world" or anything, but this video shows a rather large weird semi-opaque object flying off a wind turbine in Maine.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a rather weird" to gently express mild surprise or amusement regarding something unusual, rather than to harshly criticize or dismiss it.

Common error

Avoid using "rather" excessively in your writing. While "a rather weird" is acceptable, relying too heavily on "rather" can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for more direct adjectives when possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rather weird" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe it as somewhat strange or unusual. As noted by Ludwig, it suggests a mild deviation from the norm, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a rather weird" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something as mildly strange or unusual. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, and the examples show its common use in News & Media. While the phrase is versatile, being mindful of overusing "rather" and choosing more precise adjectives in formal settings will enhance writing clarity. Considering alternatives such as "somewhat strange" or "quite peculiar" can add nuance to expression. Keep in mind that "a rather weird" is more understated than "a very weird".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a somewhat strange

Replaces "rather weird" with "somewhat strange", offering a slightly different tone with similar meaning.

a quite peculiar

Uses "quite peculiar" instead of "rather weird", suggesting something odd or unusual in a more formal tone.

a fairly odd

Substitutes "rather weird" with "fairly odd", indicating something strange to a moderate degree.

a little bizarre

Replaces "rather weird" with "a little bizarre", implying something strikingly unconventional.

a bit unusual

Changes "rather weird" to "a bit unusual", softening the judgment about something that deviates from the norm.

a touch eccentric

Uses "a touch eccentric" instead of "a rather weird", suggesting something slightly unconventional or quirky.

distinctly strange

Emphasizes the strangeness using "distinctly strange" in place of "a rather weird", highlighting its clear departure from the norm.

uncommonly peculiar

Presents the phrase "uncommonly peculiar" instead of "a rather weird", pointing out rarity and unusual nature.

noticeably odd

Expresses the unusual nature using "noticeably odd" to replace "a rather weird", calling attention to its deviance.

remarkably unconventional

Replaces "a rather weird" with "remarkably unconventional", placing emphasis on the uniqueness and departure from convention.

FAQs

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

Use "a rather weird" to describe something that is unusual or strange in a mild and understated way. For example, "The movie had "a rather weird plot" twist that left the audience confused."

What can I say instead of "a rather weird"?

You can use alternatives like "a somewhat strange", "a quite peculiar", or "a fairly odd", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever inappropriate to use the phrase "a rather weird"?

While generally acceptable, avoid using "a rather weird" in highly formal or professional contexts where more precise and less subjective language is expected. Choose more specific adjectives to describe the situation or object.

What is the difference between "a rather weird" and "a very weird"?

"A rather weird" implies a milder level of strangeness compared to "a very weird". The phrase using "rather" offers a more understated assessment, while using "very" intensifies the description.