is rather slow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is rather slow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not fast or takes a long time to complete, often in a comparative sense. Example: "The internet connection is rather slow today, making it difficult to stream videos."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That, it emerges, is rather slow.

Independent

Grab a comfy chair because the site is rather slow".

The New York Times - Health

However, the uptake of these resources by Pakistan is rather slow.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

However, the uptake of solar PV in developing countries is rather slow.

Energy Procedia

Normal amyloidosis is rather slow, so needs some kind of 'trigger'trigger

Nature

For now, it's business as usual, which, Mr. Mathiesen admits, is rather slow.

The New York Times

Because the reaction is rather slow, sufficient residence time must be provided for the mixed gases to react.

Britannica

Ordinarily, the tempo at the beginning of a dance is rather slow; both players and dancers have to warm up to their interdependent climax.

The New Yorker

The latter reaction is rather slow, in agreement with the large intrinsic barriers characterizing proton transfers between CH-acids and carbon bases.

Electrochimica Acta

In fact, the square roots are much too cumbersome, and the convergence is rather slow.

Advances in Difference Equations

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is rather slow-moving, relying on preventing active counterplay.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is rather slow" when you want to express that something is slower than expected or desired, but without being overly critical. It's a polite way to point out a lack of speed or efficiency.

Common error

While "is rather slow" is acceptable, overuse of "rather" can make your writing sound hesitant or less confident. In formal contexts, consider stronger alternatives like "is significantly slow" or "is noticeably slow" to convey a more direct assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather slow" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of reduced speed or pace. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is rather slow" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe something that lacks speed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's commonly used across diverse fields, from scientific publications to news reports, and is appropriate for neutral contexts. When writing, be mindful of the subtle difference between "is rather slow" and alternatives like "is very slow", choosing the phrase that best reflects the intended degree of slowness. Also, avoid overusing "rather" in formal writing, opting for stronger adverbs when a more direct assessment is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is somewhat slow

Slightly less emphatic than "is rather slow".

is quite slow

Similar in meaning but may imply a slightly higher degree of slowness.

is relatively slow

Indicates slowness in comparison to something else.

is comparatively slow

Similar to "is relatively slow", highlighting a comparison.

is a bit slow

More informal and less emphatic.

is on the slow side

An idiomatic alternative indicating slowness.

lacks speed

Focuses on the absence of speed rather than directly stating slowness.

moves at a snail's pace

A more figurative and descriptive way to express extreme slowness.

is not particularly fast

A more roundabout way of saying something is slow.

proceeds at a leisurely pace

Indicates slow progress, often with a connotation of relaxation or lack of urgency.

FAQs

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

You can use "is rather slow" to describe the speed of a process, a device, or even a person. For example, "The download speed "is rather slow" today", or "His progress "is rather slow", but steady."

What are some alternatives to "is rather slow"?

Some alternatives include "is somewhat slow", "is quite slow", "is relatively slow", or "is a bit slow", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

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

It's appropriate to use "is rather slow" in situations where you want to gently point out that something isn't as fast as it could be, without being overly negative or critical. It works well in both informal and moderately formal contexts.

Is there a difference between "is rather slow" and "is very slow"?

"Is very slow" is a stronger statement indicating a higher degree of slowness. "Is rather slow" suggests a moderate degree of slowness, implying it's somewhat slower than expected or desired, but not extremely so.