is rather unwieldy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is rather unwieldy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to manage, handle, or use due to its size, complexity, or awkwardness. Example: "The new software update is rather unwieldy, making it challenging for users to navigate its features."

✓ Grammatically correct

TechCrunch

Composite Structures

EU Parlament

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Guardian

Huffington Post

Wikipedia

BBC

The New York Times

The Economist

Independent

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The whole package is rather unwieldy, though.

TechCrunch

It is rather unwieldy to solve the thermo-mechanical problem using a rigorous geometrically nonlinear analysis.

Composite Structures

Now, I am talking about unjustified advantages within agricultural policy as well as the fact that our anti-corruption policy is, to a large degree, not as successful as we always claim it is, and the fact that, to a certain extent, the EU's administration is rather unwieldy - the very fact that we are here in Strasbourg is an example of this.

EU Parlament

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Although he did not invent decimal fractions and his notation was rather unwieldy, he established their use in day-to-day mathematics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Extensive global consultation and negotiation for the SDGs has meant that country ownership should be far less problematic this time around, but it also means they are rather unwieldy.

The Guardian

The 10-foot tall, 15-pound sausage costumes are top-heavy and can be rather unwieldy, but they are durable.

Huffington Post

As a result, Rockefeller and his associates owned dozens of separate corporations, each of which operated in just one state; the management of the whole enterprise was rather unwieldy.

Wikipedia

Suddenly the debate is looking rather unwieldy, and maybe some distance short of gripping telly.

BBC

It has been given the rather unwieldy title of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, but in diplomatic shorthand it is often called the "Gender Entity".

The New York Times

Fiat-Chrysler's alliance with Japan's Suzuki and its Indian partner, Maruti, has proved rather unwieldy and is still not working smoothly.

The Economist

Its characters — a rather unwieldy group of Pakistani villagers — were idiosyncratic individuals, not stand-ins for weighty issues.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is rather unwieldy", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is difficult to handle or manage. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "is rather unwieldy" is acceptable, overuse of the adverb "rather" can make your writing sound less confident. In more formal settings, consider stronger alternatives like "is quite unwieldy" or "is considerably unwieldy" if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather unwieldy" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject by describing its quality or state. It expresses that something possesses the characteristic of being difficult to handle or manage. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is rather unwieldy" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to describe something that is difficult to handle or manage. Ludwig AI confirms this. While it appears across various contexts including news, science, and encyclopedias, it's considered semi-formal, and stronger alternatives might be preferred in highly formal settings. When using this phrase, it's important to provide clear context to what exactly is unwieldy to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "is somewhat cumbersome" or "is quite unmanageable" can be used for similar effect with slight nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is somewhat cumbersome

Replaces "unwieldy" with "cumbersome", suggesting difficulty in handling due to weight or complexity.

is fairly cumbersome

Similar to "is somewhat cumbersome" but uses "fairly" instead of "rather"

is quite unmanageable

Substitutes "rather unwieldy" with "quite unmanageable", emphasizing the difficulty in controlling or directing something.

is a bit awkward to handle

Replaces "unwieldy" with "awkward to handle", focusing on the physical difficulty or lack of grace in dealing with something.

is a challenge to operate

Replaces the entire phrase with a focus on the difficulty in operating or using something.

is difficult to manipulate

Focuses on the difficulty in controlling or influencing something, rather than just handling it.

is a handful

An idiomatic expression suggesting something is difficult to control or manage.

presents some difficulties

Shifts the focus to the difficulties presented by the subject, rather than its inherent unwieldiness.

poses some challenges

Similar to "presents some difficulties" but uses "challenges" instead.

is not the easiest to work with

Emphasizes the difficulty from a user's perspective, implying frustration or inconvenience.

FAQs

What does "is rather unwieldy" mean?

The phrase "is rather unwieldy" describes something that is difficult to handle, manage, or use effectively, often due to its size, complexity, or design. It suggests a degree of inconvenience or awkwardness.

What are some alternatives to "is rather unwieldy"?

You can use alternatives such as "is somewhat cumbersome", "is quite unmanageable", or "is a bit awkward to handle" depending on the specific context.

How formal is the phrase "is rather unwieldy"?

The phrase "is rather unwieldy" is generally considered to be semi-formal. While not overly casual, it's not as formal as alternatives like "is considerably unmanageable". The choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "is rather unwieldy"?

It is appropriate to use "is rather unwieldy" when describing physical objects, systems, or processes that are difficult to use or manage due to their complexity or awkwardness. For example, you might say "The new software update "is rather unwieldy", making it challenging for users to navigate its features."