it is rather funny

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is rather funny" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express amusement or to indicate that something is amusing or humorous, often in a light-hearted or understated way. Example: "I watched the comedy show last night, and I must say, it is rather funny how they portrayed everyday situations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is rather funny if we see the shadow of a boom mic somewhere.

The Guardian

Watching Pete get hit is actually quite funny (I'm not being sad, it is rather funny!) so shoot him down and see what I mean!

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's rather funny".

The Guardian - Arts

It's rather funny, no?" Though some remarks cause him trouble, he said, he then forgets and starts in again.

The New York Times - Books

"He said, 'I want to be No. 1 and win Grand Slams.' And honestly it was rather funny because it did not seem a very likely possibility".

The New York Times - Sports

It's rather funny that people who so bitterly denounce the manipulated politics of our allegedly corporate-controlled society should themselves end up repeating the anarchist equivalent of Dick Morris sound bites.

The New York Times

In fact it's rather funny in a sad way: The app is not compatible with recent flagship devices including the Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy S III, HTC One X, and Galaxy Note.

TechCrunch

It's rather funny because all of these flimsy accusations against Democrats pale in comparison to the truly sinister acts that have actually been committed by Republicans.

Huffington Post

Not gonna lie, I think he thought I was rather funny.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Life is rather funny, if only the rest of America understood it the way we see it.

Huffington Post

Sometimes this is rather funny — in the second episode, he has an almost deadly run-in with an escaped convict, put on pause for a few moments as they discuss their mutual acquaintances.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is rather funny" when you want to express amusement in a slightly understated or polite way. It's suitable for both casual and semi-formal settings.

Common error

While "it is rather funny" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your expressions by using synonyms like "it is quite amusing" or "it is somewhat humorous".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is rather funny" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying an implied subject. It expresses an opinion or assessment about something being humorous. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is rather funny" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for expressing mild amusement. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. While suitable for various contexts, it's most commonly found in news and media, with some presence in wiki sources. To prevent repetition, consider alternatives such as "it is quite amusing". The phrase carries a neutral register, suitable for both casual and semi-formal settings, making it a versatile choice for conveying a lighthearted sense of humor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's quite amusing

Emphasizes the amusement factor, slightly stronger than 'rather funny'.

it's somewhat humorous

Highlights the humorous aspect, suitable for slightly formal contexts.

it's a bit comical

Focuses on the comical nature, implying a lighthearted situation.

it's kind of hilarious

Indicates a higher degree of amusement, suggesting something very funny.

it's mildly amusing

Highlights slight amusement, weaker than 'rather funny'.

it's slightly humorous

Similar to 'mildly amusing', indicating a small degree of humor.

it's fairly comical

Expresses a moderate level of comicality.

it's moderately funny

Highlights a medium level of funniness.

it's a tad amusing

Suggests a touch of amusement, less strong than 'rather funny'.

it's a little funny

Simple and direct way to say something is funny.

FAQs

What does "it is rather funny" mean?

The phrase "it is rather funny" means that something is amusing or humorous to a noticeable degree, but not extremely so. It's a mild and somewhat understated expression of amusement.

How can I use "it is rather funny" in a sentence?

You can use "it is rather funny" to describe a situation, a story, or a comment that you find amusing. For example: "I thought the way he handled that situation was rather funny."

What are some alternatives to "it is rather funny"?

Some alternatives to "it is rather funny" include "it is quite amusing", "it is somewhat humorous", or "it is a bit comical", depending on the level of formality and the degree of amusement you want to express.

Is "it is rather funny" formal or informal?

The phrase "it is rather funny" sits in a neutral space between formal and informal. It's suitable for most situations where you want to express mild amusement without being overly casual.