rather better

USAGE SUMMARY

"rather better" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use "rather better" when you are comparing two things and you want to say that one is better than the other, although it may not be significantly better. For example, you might say: "The quality of the food at this restaurant is rather better than the food at the last one we tried."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And are ties with Britain rather better?

The Economist

In paint, Siena has done rather better.

The Economist

We deserved rather better all along.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We got on rather better after that".

The Guardian

The Catholic church had rather better answers.

The Guardian - Books

Rather better than previous home secretaries.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Others, though, worked out rather better.

The Guardian - Sport

They have judged this rather better.

The Guardian - Sport

However, NBC did rather better than Dow Jones.

The Economist

Indeed, the mood is rather better than expected.

The Economist

THE islands do rather better than the mainland.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rather better", ensure the context is clear by explicitly stating what is being compared.

Common error

Avoid using "rather better" when the improvement is significant or dramatic. In such cases, opt for stronger alternatives like "significantly better" or "vastly superior".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather better" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier enhancing the adjective 'better.' As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to indicate a moderate degree of improvement or preference, often in comparative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather better" is a versatile phrase used to express a moderate degree of improvement or preference. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent use across various contexts. It is grammatically sound and suitable for expressing nuanced assessments, especially in news and media, although it may appear in formal or business settings as well. When using "rather better", consider the context to ensure the degree of improvement aligns with the intended message, and avoid overstating the difference. Alternatives like "somewhat superior" or "slightly preferable" can offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat superior

Suggests a slight degree of improvement or advantage.

slightly preferable

Highlights a mild preference for one option over another.

marginally improved

Emphasizes the small extent of the improvement.

decidedly improved

Indicates a clear and unambiguous improvement.

moderately superior

Indicates a level of superiority that is neither extreme nor negligible.

appreciably better

Suggests the improvement is significant enough to be recognized.

a bit better

It's an informal way to express a slight improvement.

noticeably enhanced

Implies that the improvement is easily observed.

considerably enhanced

Emphasizes a substantial degree of improvement.

fairly superior

Implies a reasonable degree of superiority.

FAQs

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

Use "rather better" to indicate a moderate improvement or preference, as in "The new model performs "rather better" than its predecessor".

What are some alternatives to "rather better"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat superior", "slightly preferable", or "moderately superior" depending on the context.

Is "rather better" formal or informal?

"Rather better" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal options like "appreciably better" may be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "rather better" and "much better"?

"Rather better" indicates a moderate degree of improvement, while "much better" implies a more significant and noticeable difference. Use "much better" when the improvement is substantial.