rather a lot of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather a lot of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a significant or considerable amount of something, often in a somewhat informal context. Example: "There were rather a lot of people at the concert last night, far more than we expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In truth, rather a lot of them.

Independent

Rather a lot of them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Rather a lot of Muslims about?

The Guardian

It is, after all, issuing rather a lot of it.

The Economist

"I pay rather a lot of tax," Simpson said.

Independent

"There were rather a lot of men here just now.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And County have rather a lot of it.

The Guardian - Sport

(Mind you, he has rather a lot of those).

The Guardian

360 terabytes is rather a lot of inane tweets, then.

The Guardian

A couple of Australians brought rather a lot of Vegemite.

The Guardian

Q: You ate rather a lot of fat, but also cycled and walked a lot.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather a lot of" to add a touch of understatement to your writing, implying a greater quantity or degree than might be immediately apparent. It's particularly effective when you want to avoid being overly emphatic.

Common error

While "rather a lot of" is versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing where more precise language might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "a significant amount" or "a considerable quantity" for those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather a lot of" functions as a quantifier, modifying nouns to indicate a large quantity or amount. It conveys that there is a notable or substantial presence of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, this expression is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather a lot of" is a versatile phrase used to express a significant quantity or degree, often with a touch of understatement. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts and is considered to have a neutral to slightly informal register. While effective in many situations, more formal or precise alternatives might be preferable in academic or scientific writing. It's important to note that "rather a lot of" functions as a quantifier, modifying nouns to indicate abundance without being overly emphatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite a bit of

Emphasizes the quantity but is slightly less formal.

a good deal of

Indicates a substantial amount, maintaining a similar level of formality.

a significant amount of

Highlights the importance and quantity, suitable for formal contexts.

a considerable quantity of

Stresses the largeness of the amount, often used in more formal writing.

a large number of

Focuses on countability and abundance, slightly more direct.

plenty of

Suggests more than enough, with a slightly informal tone.

a wealth of

Implies abundance and richness, often used for abstract nouns.

an abundance of

Stresses a plentiful supply, suitable for both formal and informal use.

a great deal of

Indicates a substantial amount, similar in tone and formality.

numerous

A more concise way to indicate a large number, often used for countable items.

FAQs

How can I use "rather a lot of" in a sentence?

You can use "rather a lot of" to describe a quantity, as in "There were "rather a lot of" people at the meeting" or "He spent "rather a lot of" time on the project".

What's the difference between "rather a lot of" and "quite a lot of"?

While both phrases indicate a significant quantity, "rather a lot of" can sometimes imply a slight surprise or mild understatement, whereas "quite a lot of" is a more straightforward expression of quantity.

Are there any formal alternatives to "rather a lot of"?

Yes, in more formal contexts, you might prefer phrases like "a significant amount of", "a considerable quantity of", or "a large number of" instead of "rather a lot of".

Is "rather a lot of" appropriate for academic writing?

It can be, but consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing. In some cases, a more precise or formal alternative might be more suitable. For example, consider phrases such as "substantial amount" or "considerable number".