it was rather cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was rather cold" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or environment where the temperature is low, often conveying a sense of discomfort or chilliness. Example: "As we stepped outside, we quickly realized it was rather cold, prompting us to grab our jackets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It was rather cold and the lake was dirty.

Huffington Post

It was rather cold on the beach and I saw Owen Wilson walk by us with his usual "aw shucks" face glowing in the Miami night.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

To be sure, there is the gigantic Breakers resort on the Atlantic side along South County Road but, despite a fine golf course and a private beach, it is rather cold, as though all those years of corporate conferences has robbed it of personality.

Forbes

There was no hot accumulation of FDG to the tumor, and the lesion was rather cold.

Surgical Case Reports

"It's still going to be rather cold, but when you start with -9F (-13C) anything is going to feel warm," he said.

The Guardian

Yes, I know this is rather cold but it is real.

Huffington Post

In the November 10 , 2014cover story of TIME written about Christopher Nolan by Jeffrey Kluger on page 45, it references that critics say Nolan's films such as Inception and the Batman Dark Knight trilogy are rather cold films.

Huffington Post

At the Bloomfield campus, Mr. Alfieri said, the issue was this: "We believe in the location, but the buildings are rather cold, and sterile.

The New York Times

Marlene Dumas's work is rather cold and dispassionate: images of childhood and prepubescent sexuality that are deeply ambiguous in their intent.

The Guardian - Arts

But that is rather cold comfort for an Afghan who is dying in a public hospital that lacks the resources to take care of him.

The New York Times

Owing to the city's elevation, winter is rather cold, with average temperatures of around 40 to 45 °F (5 to 7 °C).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was rather cold" to describe a situation where the temperature is noticeably low, but not extremely freezing or icy. This phrase effectively conveys a moderate degree of coldness that is worth mentioning.

Common error

While "rather" is grammatically correct, overuse in informal settings can make your writing sound overly formal or stilted. Consider using alternatives like "pretty", "quite", or "fairly" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "it was rather cold" is to serve as an independent clause, expressing a complete thought or observation about the temperature. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was rather cold" is a grammatically correct and commonly used independent clause to describe a moderately low temperature. As verified by Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While "rather" might hint at formality, the phrase generally maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse settings. When aiming for alternative expressions, consider options like "it was quite chilly" or "it was fairly cold" to subtly adjust the conveyed intensity. While the phrase is broadly applicable, be mindful of overusing "rather" in overly informal settings to maintain a natural and engaging writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was quite chilly

Replaces "rather cold" with "quite chilly", softening the intensity of the cold.

it was fairly cold

Substitutes "rather" with "fairly", indicating a slightly lower degree of coldness.

it was somewhat cold

Uses "somewhat" instead of "rather", suggesting a more moderate level of cold.

it was a bit cold

Employs "a bit" to convey a slightly milder coldness compared to "rather cold".

it was moderately cold

Replaces "rather" with "moderately", expressing a balanced level of cold.

it was noticeably cold

Shifts focus to the noticeable aspect of the cold, emphasizing the perception of coldness.

it was distinctly cold

Highlights the distinct nature of the cold, implying a clear and evident coldness.

the temperature was low

Rephrases the statement focusing on the temperature rather than the feeling of coldness.

there was a chill in the air

Changes the focus from direct coldness to the presence of a general chill.

it was uncomfortably cool

Emphasizes the discomfort caused by the coolness, rather than focusing solely on temperature.

FAQs

What does "it was rather cold" mean?

The phrase "it was rather cold" indicates that the temperature was noticeably low, implying a level of coldness that is worth mentioning but not extreme. It suggests a moderate degree of coldness.

What can I say instead of "it was rather cold"?

You can use alternatives like "it was quite chilly", "it was fairly cold", or "it was somewhat cold" depending on the context and the degree of coldness you want to convey.

Is "it was rather cold" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was rather cold" is generally considered neutral in tone. While the use of "rather" can lean towards formality, the overall phrase is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.

How can I use "it was rather cold" in a sentence?

You can use "it was rather cold" to describe the temperature of a place or situation. For example: "When we stepped outside, "it was rather cold", so we quickly put on our coats."