looking rather good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking rather good" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that appears attractive or appealing. Example: "After a long day at work, she walked into the party looking rather good in her new dress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This is all looking rather good for Maggie.

The Guardian - Opinion

Next week, Sam Waksal, a former boss of ImClone and close friend of Ms Stewart, will be sentenced following his own conviction for insider trading in the firm's shares.Ironically, the drug at the heart of this mess is now looking rather good.

The Economist

With the holidays now approaching, the year is on the verge of ending as it began, with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in firm command of the Democratic presidential race and looking rather good for the presidency itself.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is that she makes her principal target, the current president, look rather good.

The Economist

It's an old-and-new combination that looks rather good, at first - and second - look.

The Guardian

UK bonds look rather good by comparison with what could yet happen in the eurozone.

The Guardian - Opinion

I saw him at the airport recently, he looked rather good.

The Guardian - Opinion

Use it as a climbing frame: a dark-flowered nasturtium twining over it could look rather good.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So I sat on a seat watching and then some magpies came down, black and white birds, and they looked rather good.

The Guardian - Arts

As we near the end of the day, the garden finally looks rather good – possibly the best it has ever been in the last 10 years.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Down on the ground floor there may be legions of holidaying families and stressed delivery drivers, but up in the lounge, as strangers work quietly side by side, all is calm.To me, then, it all looked rather good.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add subtlety, adjust the adjective following 'rather'. For example, 'looking rather tired' conveys a gentler observation than 'looking exhausted'.

Common error

While "looking rather good" is acceptable, avoid overusing 'rather' in your writing. Overuse can make your prose sound stilted or affected. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking rather good" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its appearance. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, confirming its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looking rather good" is a grammatically correct and frequently used way to express a positive, yet subtle, assessment of appearance or condition. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its wide applicability across various contexts, especially in news and media. While its register is mostly neutral, writers should avoid overusing 'rather' to maintain a natural writing style. Remember to consider the nuances of synonyms like "appearing quite attractive" or "seeming quite well" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appearing quite attractive

Replaces "good" with "attractive" and uses "appearing" instead of "looking", emphasizing visual appeal.

seeming quite well

Focuses on overall condition or health, using "seeming" instead of "looking".

appearing very well

Similar to seeming quite well, but focusing on appearance.

presenting favorably

Focuses on the impression given, rather than a direct visual assessment.

exhibiting a positive appearance

More formal and emphasizes the act of displaying a good appearance.

cutting a fine figure

An idiomatic expression meaning to present an impressive appearance.

having a pleasing aspect

Focuses on the overall impression or visual quality.

sporting a great look

Highlights a particular style or appearance being worn or displayed.

giving off a good vibe

Shifts the focus to the overall feeling or impression conveyed.

making a positive impression

Focuses on the effect on others, rather than the direct appearance.

FAQs

How can I use "looking rather good" in a sentence?

You can use "looking rather good" to describe someone or something that has an appealing appearance. For instance, "The garden is looking rather good after all the rain."

What does "looking rather good" imply compared to "looking good"?

"Looking rather good" suggests a more subtle and nuanced positive impression than simply "looking good". It implies that something is more than just satisfactory, but not necessarily outstanding.

What are some alternatives to saying "looking rather good"?

You can use alternatives like "appearing quite attractive", "seeming quite well", or "presenting favorably" depending on the specific context.

Is "looking rather good" formal or informal?

"Looking rather good" is generally considered to be neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, extremely formal writing might benefit from more precise or sophisticated vocabulary.