both are rather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both are rather" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two subjects or items and expressing a degree of similarity or quality about them. Example: "Both are rather interesting, but one has more depth than the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

There are small European countries with strong science policies: he mentions Switzerland and Austria as enviable examples, although both are rather larger than Scotland, and Norway and Ireland might make for more appropriate comparisons.

The Guardian

"Both are rather gruesome procedures," Justice O'Connor told Mr. Stenberg, adding: "One may be very similar to the other, and I'm not certain whether the statute might not prohibit D and E as well".

The New York Times

I find the data sets are entirely different as a result, and both are rather complementary – I tend to find more private information, as cell numbers are not usually tweeted".

TechCrunch

None of the patterns appear to be "healthy" as both are rather rich in refined carbohydrates or animal sources.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Both were rather more blasé about the US.

The Guardian

Yet when Pavin and his vice-captains came to make their picks yesterday evening, both were rather obvious, and widely predicted, despite falling well short of making the team as of right.

The Guardian - Sport

The previous lucky victims had both been rather oblong and irregular, dented and warty specimens that betrayed their kinship to gourds, and scarred with that gritty cement that sometimes streaks the skin of pumpkins.

The New Yorker

The trouble with this focus on each little bit of data, however, is that you miss the big picture – the big picture that the US economy, and US economic policy, have both been rather successful.

Independent

This measure both is rather inexpensive and has few negative externalities when implemented in rural areas.

City, Territory and Architecture

After batch fermentation of the sigB-proficient and sigB-deficient C. glutamicum strain, the generation time of both were rather similar.

BMC Genomics

Fortunately, with a little information, both tasks are rather easy.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "both are rather" when you want to express that two things share a characteristic to a noticeable, but not extreme, degree. It's suitable for comparisons where you want to be moderate and avoid strong assertions.

Common error

While "rather" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound hesitant or lacking confidence, particularly in formal settings. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing to convey a more assertive tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both are rather" functions as a comparative qualifier, indicating a similarity in a particular attribute or state between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. The phrase modifies an adjective or adverb, expressing a moderate degree of that quality.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "both are rather" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that serves to express a moderate degree of a shared quality between two subjects. Ludwig AI affirms this. While categorized as rare in frequency, it appears across various contexts like news, science, and general knowledge, signaling versatility. For alternative phrasings, you might consider options like "both are quite" or "both are somewhat", adjusting based on the desired tone. When writing, be mindful of the potential for overuse, especially in more formal contexts, where it could weaken your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Both are quite

Replaces "rather" with "quite", indicating a slightly stronger degree of the quality being described.

They're both rather

Changes the sentence structure slightly by using a contraction and reordering the words while keeping the meaning similar.

Both are somewhat

Substitutes "rather" with "somewhat", softening the degree of the quality being described.

Both are fairly

Uses "fairly" instead of "rather", implying a moderate degree of the quality.

Both are reasonably

Replaces "rather" with "reasonably", suggesting an acceptable level of the quality.

Both are relatively

Uses "relatively" instead of "rather", indicating a comparison to something else.

Both are a bit

Replaces "rather" with "a bit", which is a more informal and less intense qualifier.

Both are kind of

Offers a more informal alternative using "kind of" to express the quality.

Both are pretty

Substitutes "rather" with "pretty", providing a more casual way to describe the quality.

Both appear somewhat

Uses "appear" to add a sense of observation or perception to the statement.

FAQs

How can I use "both are rather" in a sentence?

Use "both are rather" to indicate a moderate degree of a shared quality or characteristic between two subjects. For example: "Both options are rather expensive, but one offers better features."

What can I say instead of "both are rather"?

You can use alternatives like "both are quite", "both are somewhat", or "both are fairly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "both are rather"?

Yes, "both are rather" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that two things share a quality to a moderate degree. It's a suitable way to make comparisons without being overly assertive.

What's the difference between "both are rather" and "both are very"?

"Both are rather" indicates a moderate degree, while "both are very" implies a strong degree. Using "both are rather" suggests a more understated or subtle shared characteristic than "both are very".