it's rather

USAGE SUMMARY

'it's rather' is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it when you are making a comparison or suggesting something that may not be expected. For example: "It's rather expensive to buy a new car, but it's worth it in the long run."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's rather poetic.

The New York Times - Travel

It's rather good.

Independent

"It's rather scary.

Independent

It's rather charming.

The Guardian - Tech

It's rather brilliant.

Independent

It's rather speculative.

The New York Times

Poetically, it's rather beautiful.

The New York Times

In fact, it's rather prudent.

The New York Times

"It's rather exciting," he said.

The New York Times

"In fact, it's rather frightening".

The New Yorker

In fact, it's rather touching.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's rather" to express a polite or understated opinion, especially when you want to avoid being overly direct or assertive.

Common error

Avoid using "it's rather" excessively in casual conversations, as it can sound stilted or overly formal. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "it's kind of" or "it's pretty" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's rather" primarily functions as an adverbial intensifier, modifying adjectives or adverbs to express a moderate degree of a quality. As Ludwig AI validates, the phrase is a standard expression used to temper statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's rather" functions as an adverbial intensifier to express a moderate degree of a quality, serving to soften statements and convey opinions in an understated or polite manner. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a grammatically sound and commonly used expression across a wide array of contexts, most notably in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, it leans towards a slightly formal register and should be used judiciously to avoid sounding stilted in informal conversations. Alternatives include "it's quite", "it's somewhat", and "it's fairly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's quite

Emphasizes the degree to which something possesses a certain quality.

it's somewhat

Indicates a moderate degree of a particular quality or characteristic.

it's fairly

Suggests a reasonable or moderate level of something.

it's pretty

Informal way to indicate that something is moderately so.

it's reasonably

Highlights the justification or rationale behind a moderate assessment.

it's comparatively

Emphasizes the relative nature of the assessment, implying a comparison.

it's relatively

Indicates the assessment is dependent on the frame of reference or comparison.

it's marginally

Suggests a slight or minimal degree of difference or quality.

it's slightly

Indicates a small degree or extent.

it's kind of

An informal expression indicating that something is somewhat true or applicable.

FAQs

How do I use "it's rather" in a sentence?

Use "it's rather" to express a mild or understated observation. For example, "it's rather cold today" suggests it is noticeably cold, but not extremely so.

What can I say instead of "it's rather"?

You can use alternatives like "it's quite", "it's somewhat", or "it's fairly" depending on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is "it's rather" formal or informal?

"It's rather" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "it's pretty" or "it's kind of". It strikes a balance between politeness and understatement.

What's the difference between "it's rather" and "it's very"?

"It's rather" implies a moderate degree, while "it's very" indicates a higher intensity. For example, "it's rather good" suggests something is pleasing, but "it's very good" conveys stronger approval.