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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
as rather negative
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "as rather negative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a somewhat negative quality or connotation. Example: "The feedback from the client was as rather negative, indicating that we need to make significant improvements."
✓ Grammatically correct
TechCrunch
WikiHow
The New York Times
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
This review came off as rather negative, which is good, because I meant it to.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
Religion receives little or no respect from such vocations as scientists, but rather negative statements on faith and religion, which is not a faithful use of their faith in science.
Wiki
Still, this data series at least now has an ambiguous interpretation for Mr. Obama — as opposed to the rather negative one that seemed compelling previously.
News & Media
She was, apparently, pleasant but rather limited; such faults as she had were rather negative than positive, though family tradition from a household that knew the Dickenses well speaks of her as "a whiney woman" and as having little understanding of, or patience with, the artistic temperament.
Encyclopedias
Many people's first reaction to the new feature was rather negative, as it felt very spammy to users who had many Google+ followers.
News & Media
The only reason for this disparate archipelago to regard itself as a unit was a rather negative one – all the islands were part of the colonial system underpinned by the Dutch East India Company and the Dutch government.
News & Media
As our case demonstrates, the outcome of such a policy is rather negative.
Science
As Mr. Pruner might have predicted after his surprise bill, the answer was rather negative.
News & Media
"I'm rather negative," Hiddink said.
News & Media
So, on aggregate, a rather negative visual assessment.
News & Media
Until June 2013, there was no dominant meaning established in the news media about whether hydraulic fracturing is to be seen as rather positive or negative for the climate.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "as rather negative", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being evaluated. Be specific about the aspect or element that warrants the negative assessment.
Common error
Avoid using "as rather negative" when a more nuanced description is appropriate. Consider whether "somewhat mixed" or "partially unfavorable" might provide a more accurate and balanced portrayal.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "as rather negative" functions as an adverbial modifier, qualifying the degree or extent of negativity. It indicates that something possesses a noticeable but not overwhelming negative characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.
Frequent in
News & Media
30%
Science
25%
Wiki
20%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
10%
Formal & Business
8%
Academia
7%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "as rather negative" is a grammatically correct but relatively uncommon way to express a moderate degree of negativity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable in written English. It functions as an adverbial modifier and serves to provide a nuanced evaluation. While various sources employ it, including news outlets like The New York Times and tech publications like TechCrunch, its usage is infrequent. For alternative expressions, consider "somewhat unfavorable" or "slightly adverse" to convey a similar sentiment with potentially greater clarity.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
somewhat unfavorable
Replaces "rather negative" with a more formal and slightly softer term indicating disapproval or lack of support.
slightly adverse
Uses "adverse" to suggest an opposing or harmful effect, which can be more specific than "negative".
moderately pessimistic
Shifts the focus to an outlook or expectation that is tinged with negativity, suitable for describing attitudes.
fairly discouraging
Emphasizes the effect of causing someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm.
quite disappointing
Highlights the failure to meet expectations, focusing on the emotion of letdown.
a bit bleak
Introduces a sense of desolation or lack of promise, painting a more evocative picture.
not entirely positive
Offers a more cautious and diplomatic way to express negativity, implying mixed feelings.
somewhat substandard
Replaces the subjective "negative" with an objective measure of falling below an acceptable level.
rather unfortunate
Downplays the negativity by focusing on the regrettable nature of the situation.
a touch suboptimal
Uses technical jargon to soften the criticism, suggesting that something is not performing at its best.
FAQs
How can I rephrase the sentence "The feedback was as rather negative"?
You can rephrase it using alternatives such as "The feedback was "somewhat unfavorable"", "The feedback was "slightly adverse"", or "The feedback was "not entirely positive"", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is it better to say "as rather negative" or "somewhat negative"?
"Somewhat negative" is generally preferred due to its simplicity and directness. "As rather negative" is grammatically correct but less common and can sound slightly awkward.
What does "as rather negative" imply about the severity of the negativity?
The phrase "as rather negative" indicates a moderate level of negativity. It suggests that the subject is not entirely negative but leans more towards the negative side.
In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "as rather negative"?
It's appropriate in contexts where you want to express a mild or moderate negative assessment without being overly critical. You might use it in reviews, feedback, or general evaluations where a balanced perspective is needed.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested