going rather well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going rather well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that is progressing positively or satisfactorily. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced, the project is going rather well and is on track for completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

It was going rather well.

The New York Times

Yet one big building project is going rather well.

The Economist

Her comeback appears to be going rather well.

The Guardian - Music

It all seems to be going rather well.

The Guardian - Opinion

Life is going rather well for the 46-year-old.

The Guardian - Music

ARGENTINA'S plans for making peace with the international financial markets had been going rather well.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Flintoff's first delivery went rather well.

The Guardian - Sport

But the meeting went rather well.

The Guardian

You can use any soft fruit really, but rhubarb is in season and goes rather well with the Drambuie.

Independent

He applied for a post at a local supermarket and received an interview, which he felt had gone rather well.

The Guardian - Opinion

That performance went rather well, with the only discouraging words coming from Brahms himself, who described the new symphony as "long and not especially amiable".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going rather well" to convey a sense of quiet satisfaction or understated success. It's particularly effective when describing situations that could have easily gone wrong but have instead progressed favorably.

Common error

While "going rather well" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing "rather" in very informal settings, as it can sound overly formal or even pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "going well" or "doing great" in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going rather well" functions primarily as a predicative expression, often modifying a subject to indicate its state or progress. As shown by Ludwig AI, it suggests that a situation is unfolding positively.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "going rather well" is a commonly used phrase that effectively communicates a sense of satisfaction with progress. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, leaning towards neutral to slightly formal registers. It's especially prevalent in News & Media, Sport, and Lifestyle domains. While versatile, avoid overusing "rather" in extremely casual conversations to prevent sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progressing nicely

Focuses on the smooth advancement of something, slightly more formal.

advancing successfully

Emphasizes the achievement of goals during progression.

developing favorably

Highlights the positive evolution of a situation.

shaping up well

Suggests a promising development or preparation.

faring well

Indicates a positive experience or outcome in a particular situation.

doing swimmingly

An informal way to describe excellent progress.

proceeding smoothly

Emphasizes the lack of problems or obstacles.

coming along nicely

Suggests that something is improving over time.

getting on famously

Indicates excellent progress, often used in British English.

flourishing

Implies growth and prosperity, slightly more emphatic.

FAQs

How can I use "going rather well" in a sentence?

You can use "going rather well" to describe a situation that is progressing positively. For example, "Despite the initial challenges, the project is going rather well." It suggests a degree of satisfaction without being overly enthusiastic.

What are some alternatives to "going rather well"?

Alternatives include "progressing nicely", "advancing successfully", or "shaping up well", depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "going rather well" formal or informal?

"Going rather well" sits in a somewhat neutral to slightly formal register. It is appropriate for professional settings and news reports but might sound a bit stiff in very casual conversations. Alternatives like "going great" or "doing well" might be better suited for informal contexts.

What's the difference between "going well" and "going rather well"?

Adding "rather" to "going well" introduces a subtle degree of understatement. "Going rather well" suggests things are not just okay but are exceeding expectations slightly, or that you're pleased with the progress without being overly effusive. "Going well" is a more straightforward assessment.