feel rather better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel rather better" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an improvement in one's emotional or physical state compared to a previous condition. Example: "After a good night's sleep, I feel rather better than I did yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I mean, I am no expert, but I expect you feel rather better about the stupid cerise feathered thing on your head if you have taken on board a decent quantity of Colombian marching powder.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The following day we put it in writing and after that, both of us felt rather better," she said.

The Guardian

If the last week has felt rather better for Out than In, it is because the news agenda has been driven more by immigration than economics.

The Guardian - Opinion

I feel rather proud.

Independent

He said, Mr P if only men over 50 voted we could abolish slavery – when men are soon to face their God they are Antislavery – it is the young who support the system – unfortunately they rule too much… On the whole I felt rather encouraged – He is better than his Congress fellows But that March meeting proved the high point of good feelings between Phillips and Lincoln.

The New York Times

It felt rather uneventful.

The New York Times

IT ALL felt rather odd.

The Economist

This feels rather unhealthy.

Forbes

"I felt rather flattered..

Los Angeles Times

This one, I think, has a rather better feel for London - Cronenberg's in Eastern Promises didn't seem too sure, and it certainly didn't feel like London to me.

The Guardian - Film

These findings would not have surprised Charles Darwin, who in addition to theorizing on evolution in The Origin of the Species, also developed the Facial Feedback Response Theory, which suggests that the act of smiling actually makes us feel better (rather than smiling being merely a result of feeling good).

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel rather better" to express a mild to moderate improvement in physical or emotional state. It's suitable when you want to convey a sense of betterment without exaggerating the degree of improvement.

Common error

While "feel rather better" is grammatically correct, overuse of "rather" can make your writing sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Opt for "feel a bit better" or "feel somewhat better" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel rather better" functions primarily as a subjective assessment of one's physical or emotional condition. It indicates a perceived improvement, often a mild or moderate one. The Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feel rather better" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that expresses a moderate improvement in one's physical or emotional state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for expressing a nuanced sense of betterment. While "feel rather better" is mainly used in news media, it also appears in scientific and wiki contexts. Be mindful of the formality; while acceptable in many situations, simpler alternatives like "feel a bit better" might be more appropriate for very casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Feel somewhat better

Indicates a slightly less pronounced improvement in feeling compared to the original phrase.

Feel significantly better

Highlights a more substantial improvement in feeling.

Feel considerably better

Similar to 'significantly', emphasizing a noticeable improvement.

Experience some relief

Focuses on the alleviation of discomfort or distress.

Notice a positive change

A broader term that indicates an improvement in one's condition or state.

Sense an uplift in mood

Specifically refers to an improvement in emotional state.

Perceive an improvement

Emphasizes the subjective perception of getting better.

Am on the mend

Suggests a gradual recovery from illness or difficulty.

Am improving

A simple and direct way of stating that one is getting better.

Am recovering

Indicates a return to a normal state of health or well-being.

FAQs

How can I use "feel rather better" in a sentence?

You can use "feel rather better" to indicate a slight improvement in your physical or emotional state. For example, "After resting, I feel rather better than I did earlier."

What are some alternatives to "feel rather better"?

Alternatives include "feel somewhat better", "feel a bit better", or "feel slightly better", depending on the degree of improvement you want to convey.

Is it more common to say "feel rather better" or "feel much better"?

"Feel much better" is more common for expressing a significant improvement. "Feel rather better" suggests a more subtle or moderate improvement.

When is it appropriate to use "feel rather better" instead of "feel better"?

Use "feel rather better" when you want to express that you are only somewhat improved compared to a previous state, implying a subtle but noticeable difference. Using "feel better" is a more general way of expressing improvement.