for rather long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for rather long" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It can be used when describing a duration that is longer than expected or usual, but it is better to use more common expressions. Example: "I have been waiting for rather long, and I hope someone will assist me soon."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

On the other hand, it is shown that the analytic solution is not accurate enough to find the strain rate intensity factor even for rather long dies.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

The extensive South African spacing experiments, maintained for rather long periods of time, provide very important information for the scientific analysis of maximum forest density and tree survival.

Forest Ecosystems

MAP, Genovo and Xgenovo are used for rather long sequence reads, while MetaVelvet, Meta-IDBA, IDBA-UD, Ray Meta and Omega are used for short sequence reads.

DNA Research

The pores formed by NodO in planar lipid bilayers are relatively large (>2 nm) and remain stably open for rather long, but are not voltage gated.

FEMS Microbiology Reviews

They put a high demand on the health care services provided for rather long, but often discontinuous periods of time [ 15].

BMC Psychiatry

Finally, especially in the case of long immersion tests run in supersaturated fluids or for precipitations in media containing organic molecules (glucose, proteins…), the development of microorganisms may become significant for rather long periods of treatment.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Moreover, it calls for a rather long term approach for meeting present but also future generations' needs.

European Journal of Futures Research

First up was Salma Hayek, who sat with him (I thought) for a rather long time.

The New Yorker

One minor drawback with John Cage's experimental piece is in a sporting context it could easily be mistaken for a rather long minute's silence.

The Guardian

In the crowd: EVAN HANDLER, who exposed his bare bottom on Sunday night for a rather long time in "Sex and the City"; ROSIE PEREZ; BOBBY ZAREM and Mr. Arkinn.

The New York Times

It isn't all that surprising chapbooks are still popular today as they have been around for a rather long time.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for rather long", consider if a more common phrase like "for quite some time" or "for a long period" might be clearer and more effective for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "for rather long" in highly formal or academic writing; it can sound less polished than alternatives such as "for a considerable duration" or "for an extended period".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for rather long" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating the duration of an action or state. Ludwig identifies its use in expressing the extent of time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for rather long" serves to indicate an extended duration, often longer than initially anticipated. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests that its usage is somewhat uncommon and may sound less polished in formal contexts. It frequently appears in both scientific and news-related articles, yet writers should consider more standard alternatives such as "for quite some time" or "for an extended duration" to ensure clarity and appropriateness for their audience. Understanding its nuances allows for more effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for quite some time

Common alternative, indicating a significant duration.

for a considerably long period

Emphasizes the duration is notable and significant.

for a substantially long time

Highlights the length of time as being considerable.

for a prolonged period

Stresses the continuous and extended nature of the time.

for a lengthy duration

Similar to 'prolonged,' but emphasizes the perceived length.

for an extended duration

Focuses on the prolonged nature of the period.

for an appreciable amount of time

Highlights that the duration is noticeable and not insignificant.

for a good while

More informal, suggesting a noticeable amount of time.

for a drawn-out period

Emphasizes the duration felt longer than expected.

for a longish time

More informal, implying the duration is somewhat long.

FAQs

What does "for rather long" mean?

The phrase "for rather long" means for a duration that is longer than expected or usual. It suggests that a particular activity or state has persisted longer than anticipated.

What can I say instead of "for rather long"?

You can use alternatives like "for quite some time", "for a long period", or "for an extended duration" depending on the context.

Is "for rather long" grammatically correct?

While "for rather long" isn't incorrect, it is less common and can sound awkward. It's grammatically acceptable but stylistically, alternatives may be preferred.

When is it appropriate to use "for rather long"?

It's best used in informal contexts where a slightly unusual phrasing is acceptable. In formal writing, it's advisable to opt for more standard phrases like "for a considerable time" or "for a significant duration".