rather alarming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather alarming" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes concern or fear, often in a somewhat understated manner. Example: "The sudden increase in crime rates in the area is rather alarming to the residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Yet the injury was rather alarming.

The New York Times - Sports

Even so, half still confessed.All of which is both strange and rather alarming.

The Economist

The Conference of Nairobi in July 1968 viewed as rather alarming the lack of progress in education and literacy in the context of growing populations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

You had Pakistani nuclear scientists delivering lectures at universities in Islamabad, talking about international Islamist ideas and radical philosophies that most people in the West would find rather alarming.

The New Yorker

Read the full story here 9.12am BST Glenn Hoddle supposedly has one of English football's finest tactical brains, so watching him confuse Algeria and Al-Jazeera during last night's match was rather alarming.

The Guardian - Sport

Given that three out of four respondents postulate that consumers take over the responsibility for minimizing harmful substances in consumer products, this result is rather alarming.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

"Really?" This rather alarmed me.

The Guardian

"I wrote to her that I was rather alarmed by the indifferent quality of the chapter," he testified.

The New Yorker

Most, I suspect, are rather alarmed by the rise of food aid (as a Green party research paper demonstrated this week) and would much rather Tory MPs grasped the nettle than tried to depoliticise the issue.

The Guardian

He consulted all the codebooks, but couldn't figure the message, either, Rather alarmed, because the market was near closing, he made the rounds of the office, showing it to people and asking advice.

The New Yorker

Current ST algorithms may contribute to alarm fatigue because; (1) they are not designed with a delay (minutes), rather alarm to brief spikes (i.e., turning, heart rate changes), and (2) alarm to changes in a single ECG lead, rather than contiguous leads.

Journal of Electrocardiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather alarming" to express a sense of concern or unease in a somewhat understated way. It's effective when you want to avoid being overly dramatic while still conveying a degree of worry.

Common error

While acceptable in many contexts, overuse of "rather alarming" can sound repetitive or diminish the impact in very formal or academic writing. Vary your phrasing with synonyms like "considerably concerning" or "substantially troubling" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather alarming" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe something as causing concern or unease. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and generally acceptable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather alarming" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase that expresses a moderate level of concern or unease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is applicable in various contexts, particularly in news and media, and science. While its tone is generally neutral, it's crucial to vary your phrasing in highly formal settings. Semantically related alternatives, like "quite concerning" or "slightly disturbing", can offer more precise expressions depending on the specific context. Be mindful of the intensity you want to convey, as "rather alarming" suggests a moderate level of worry, less intense than "very alarming" but still significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite concerning

This implies a higher level of concern than "rather alarming".

somewhat concerning

This alternative is slightly less intense than "rather alarming", suggesting a milder level of worry.

moderately troubling

This alternative highlights the problematic aspect of the situation.

decidedly concerning

Implies a clear and noticeable level of concern.

slightly disturbing

This alternative focuses on the unsettling aspect, but is less intense.

mildly worrisome

This suggests a slight level of anxiety or concern.

a bit unsettling

This phrase indicates something that makes you feel uneasy.

reasonably disturbing

Highlights the disturbance caused, while staying on a similar level of intensity.

somewhat frightening

This shifts the focus to the fear aspect, but maintains a similar intensity.

fairly disquieting

Focuses on the anxiety and unease that the situation produces.

FAQs

How can I use "rather alarming" in a sentence?

You can use "rather alarming" to describe something that is concerning or unsettling. For example: "The rapid spread of the virus is a "rather alarming" development."

What can I say instead of "rather alarming"?

You can use alternatives like "quite concerning", "somewhat troubling", or "slightly disturbing" depending on the context.

Is "rather alarming" formal or informal?

"Rather alarming" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in various contexts, including news articles and general discussions. However, in very formal or academic writing, more precise language might be preferred.

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

"Rather alarming" suggests a moderate level of concern, whereas "very alarming" implies a much stronger sense of danger or worry. The choice depends on the degree of concern you wish to convey.