is rather astonishing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is rather astonishing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express surprise or admiration about something that is impressive or unexpected. Example: "The results of the experiment are rather astonishing, revealing insights we never anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The picture that emerges is rather astonishing.

City, Territory and Architecture

Taiwanese researchers have developed an LCD display where the crystals shift to give viewers optimal clarity no matter what angle it's being viewed from, which is rather astonishing but once you learn how it's being done I'm sure you won't be that impressed.

TechCrunch

Given that the divergence between mitochondria (proteobacteria) and chloroplasts (cyanobacteria) spans billions of years of evolution [ 73], the notion that gene conversion is occurring between their respective genomes is rather astonishing.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The number of A-list Hollywood stars who blacked up for roles — Bing Crosby, Shirley Temple, Judy Garland, Fred Astaire — is rather astonishing.

The New York Times - Books

9.11pm: "Given Hannover is approx 1,700 kilometres from Bilbao, it would be rather astonishing if Llorente or Muniain managed to bother Zieler.

The Guardian - Sport

It becomes clear while reading "Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg: The Letters" that, to a remarkable degree, each was dependent on the other for encouragement and advice, and it's rather astonishing how well founded their mutual regard proved to be.

The New York Times - Books

"It's rather astonishing to me that they had to agree to immunity to get these documents," said Preston Burton, a Washington lawyer who defended a former F.B.I. agent, Robert P. Hanssen, and other high-profile espionage defendants.

The New York Times

Take a few steps back, and it's rather astonishing that we're even discussing this.

Huffington Post

It's rather astonishing when you think about it, but this is actually the first time such a thing has happened since Trump took office.

Huffington Post

Researchers recently set out to examine the physiological impacts of mate choice for the Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae) by paring females with crappy boyfriends... and the results are rather astonishing.

Huffington Post

I suspect that the issue is, rather, one of insufficiently astonishing images: it may be that the Eisensteins and the Murnaus of the digital realm have yet to make their appearance.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is rather astonishing" when you want to express a sense of surprise or mild amazement at something unexpected or impressive. It adds a touch of formality and understatement.

Common error

Avoid using "rather" excessively in your writing. While "is rather astonishing" is appropriate in certain contexts, overusing "rather" can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural. Consider using stronger adjectives or adverbs for greater impact when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather astonishing" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun. It expresses a subjective evaluation of something as surprising or impressive. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is rather astonishing" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey surprise or admiration, as validated by Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, it carries a touch of formality and understatement suitable for news, science, and potentially business contexts. Alternatives such as "is quite surprising" or "is truly remarkable" offer similar meanings with slight shifts in emphasis or formality. When using this phrase, ensure that "rather" doesn't become an overused crutch in your writing, and consider stronger synonyms for greater impact when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is truly remarkable

This alternative replaces "astonishing" with "remarkable", indicating something noteworthy and exceptional.

is quite surprising

This alternative emphasizes the unexpected nature of something, replacing "astonishing" with a more common synonym, "surprising".

is really amazing

This option uses "amazing" in place of "astonishing" and "really" instead of "rather", making it slightly more informal and emphatic.

is extremely impressive

This emphasizes the positive and admirable quality of something, using "impressive" as a substitute for "astonishing".

is exceedingly impressive

This uses "exceedingly" to intensify the level of impressiveness, making it a more formal alternative.

is actually incredible

Using "incredible" provides a stronger sense of disbelief and wonder compared to "astonishing".

is genuinely startling

This alternative highlights the element of surprise, replacing "astonishing" with "startling" for a more impactful effect.

is frankly unbelievable

This phrase emphasizes the difficulty in believing something, suggesting it's beyond what one might expect.

is legitimately shocking

Shifts focus to the startling and upsetting nature of something. Uses "shocking" instead of "astonishing".

is notably exceptional

Highlights the deviation from the norm, swapping "astonishing" for "exceptional".

FAQs

How can I use "is rather astonishing" in a sentence?

You can use "is rather astonishing" to express surprise or admiration. For example, "The progress they've made "is rather astonishing", considering the limited resources."

What are some alternatives to "is rather astonishing"?

Some alternatives include "is quite surprising", "is truly remarkable", or "is really amazing", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "is rather astonishing" formal or informal?

"Is rather astonishing" leans towards a slightly more formal register than alternatives like "is really amazing". It's suitable for professional or academic writing but can also be used in everyday conversation to add a touch of sophistication.

What's the difference between "is rather astonishing" and "is very astonishing"?

While both phrases express surprise, "is rather astonishing" implies a degree of understatement and refinement. "Is very astonishing" is more direct and forceful, emphasizing the intensity of the surprise.