is rather dry

USAGE SUMMARY

'is rather dry' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a substance, such as food, that contains little or no moisture. For example, "This cake is rather dry; it must have been in the oven a bit too long."

✓ Grammatically correct

Food

Weather

Personal Description

Art

Politics

Soil Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Coconut-almond cake is rather dry too.

The New York Times

One is rather dry and light, emphasizing cinnamon and nuts.

The New York Times - Food

We get the message, but as a work of art it is rather dry.

The New York Times

On the surface, Mr. Rivel, 40, is rather dry, a bit stiff -- not exactly your fanciful type.

The New York Times

"Studying Marxism and Leninism is rather dry and many students don't like it," said Tran The Anh, 23, a fifth-year student.

The New York Times

How disappointing then that its latest offering, a book charting the evolution of colour during the 20th century, is rather dry in tone with an ugly, old-fashioned layout.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

We often think of math as being rather dry.

The New York Times

Mini-kebabs of chicken and lamb are also among the appetizers, but were rather dry.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, they're rather dry and tasteless, although the demitasse of chocolate is delicious.

The New York Times - Food

Ukraine gets very hot in summer and the gherkins we get are rather dry – in a good way.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One of the ways to respond is to say: "Instead of being rather dry, this year is going to have wet conditions, therefore we should plant different crops".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food, consider using "is rather dry" to politely point out a need for improvement without being overly critical. For example, "This bread is rather dry; perhaps a bit more olive oil next time?"

Common error

While acceptable, "is rather dry" can sound informal in academic or professional contexts. Opt for more precise terms like "lacks sufficient moisture" or "exhibits low humidity" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather dry" functions as a subject complement, where "is" acts as a copular verb linking the subject to the adjective phrase "rather dry." This describes a quality or state of the subject. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

2.5%

Formal & Business

2.5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is rather dry" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something lacks moisture, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's versatile, appearing in contexts ranging from food descriptions to weather reports. While "is rather dry" maintains a neutral tone, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives such as "lacks sufficient moisture". When aiming for politeness or mild critique, "is rather dry" serves as a balanced choice. Ludwig's examples highlight its usage across diverse sources, demonstrating its widespread applicability and subtle communicative function.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is somewhat dry

Indicates a slightly lesser degree of dryness.

is a bit dry

Uses "a bit" for a more casual and milder emphasis on dryness.

is slightly dry

Emphasizes a minor degree of dryness using "slightly".

is fairly dry

Uses "fairly" to indicate a moderate level of dryness.

is moderately dry

Replaces "rather" with "moderately" for a more formal tone.

is quite dry

Substitutes "rather" with "quite" to express a similar level of dryness.

lacks moisture

Shifts the focus to the absence of moisture, implying dryness.

is arid

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adjective denoting extreme dryness, often used for climates.

has low humidity

Focuses on the environmental condition causing dryness.

is parched

Implies an extreme state of dryness, often with negative connotations.

FAQs

What does "is rather dry" mean?

The phrase "is rather dry" means that something has a noticeable lack of moisture. It's a polite way of saying something isn't as moist or juicy as it could be.

When is it appropriate to use "is rather dry"?

It's appropriate to use "is rather dry" in situations where you want to gently point out that something lacks moisture without being overly critical. This could be about food, weather, or even someone's personality.

What can I say instead of "is rather dry"?

You can use alternatives like "is somewhat dry", "is slightly dry", or "lacks moisture" depending on the context.

Is "is rather dry" formal or informal?

"Is rather dry" falls in a neutral to slightly informal register. For very formal contexts, consider options like "exhibits low moisture content".