even rather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even rather" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect to many readers.
It could be used in informal contexts where you want to emphasize a degree of something, but it is generally better to avoid it. Example: "The weather was even rather cold for this time of year."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And they are even rather likeable.

The Guardian - Sport

At their best, they are even rather dull.

The Economist

In this movie, he is modest, quiet, even rather recessive.

The New Yorker

"He had even rather fancied himself in that role".

The New York Times - Books

Some of us are even rather influential and in charge of fairly large budgets!

Independent

In almost every other respect, she is an obedient, even rather docile, child.

The New Yorker

Edith seems less miserable than usual and is even rather taken with the agent at Brancaster.

Independent

For Posner, the American system of government is "cumbersome, clotted, ­competence-­challenged, even rather shady".

The New York Times - Books

He even, rather repressively, berates his own persistent cough as "attention-seeking".

The Guardian - Arts

The sound itself is inoffensive, even rather charming, the dread is of what follows.

The New Yorker

She would even rather talk about her divorce, at the age of 24.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider whether a more direct intensifier (like "very" or "extremely") would be clearer. "Even rather" can sometimes sound roundabout, so clarity should guide your choice.

Common error

Avoid using "even rather" in highly formal contexts, such as academic papers or business reports. This phrase tends to be more appropriate for informal or descriptive writing. Opt for more direct and formal alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even rather" functions as an adverbial modifier, adding a degree of intensity or surprise to the word it modifies. As Ludwig AI notes, its use can sometimes be perceived as awkward, yet it serves to subtly emphasize a quality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "even rather" functions as an adverbial modifier that adds a nuanced layer of emphasis and surprise. While Ludwig AI points out that it's grammatically acceptable, some consider it somewhat awkward and more suited to informal writing. Its communicative purpose is to express a degree while hinting at an unexpected quality. It frequently occurs in news and media contexts, followed by science and encyclopedias. Though common, writers should be mindful of clarity, ensuring that a more straightforward intensifier isn't preferable. Understanding these nuances will help you effectively use "even rather" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat

Indicates a moderate degree, similar to "rather" but without the "even" for emphasis.

quite

Signifies a degree that is fairly high; "even quite" could be used to add extra emphasis on it.

actually

Highlights a reality or truth, shifting the emphasis from degree to factual presence.

in fact

Emphasizes truth, replacing degree of intensity with affirmation of reality.

remarkably

Focuses on the surprising or unexpected nature of something, emphasizing the observation more than the degree.

surprisingly

Similar to 'remarkably', but highlights the element of surprise more directly.

unexpectedly

Directly indicates an element of surprise, focusing on the deviation from expectation.

noticeably

Emphasizes that something is easily observed or detected, differing in focus from degree or surprise.

decidedly

Indicates something is definite and clear, replacing ambiguity with certainty.

indeed

Affirms a preceding statement with emphasis, shifting focus from degree to validation.

FAQs

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

Use "even rather" to add a subtle emphasis, often highlighting something unexpected. For example, "The weather was "even rather cold" for July."

What are some alternatives to "even rather"?

Depending on the context, you could use "somewhat", "quite", or "actually" as alternatives to "even rather".

Is "even rather" grammatically correct?

The phrase "even rather" is grammatically acceptable but can sound awkward in certain contexts. It's more common in descriptive or informal writing.

What's the difference between "even rather" and "very"?

"Even rather" adds a sense of surprise or unexpectedness to a degree, while "very" simply intensifies it. For example, saying "It's "very cold"" just means it's intensely cold, whereas "even rather cold" implies it's colder than expected.