rather complete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather complete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is fairly or quite complete, often indicating a level of completeness that is satisfactory but not absolute. Example: "The report is rather complete, covering all the necessary aspects of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Assuming the general possibility of such expansions, he attempted a rather complete theory of the differential and integral calculus, including extensive applications to geometry and mechanics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Buenos Aires is in the middle of a heat wave, and with Congress and schools out for the summer break, television news producers have chosen to fill their shows with rather complete coverage of the topless bathing issue in Punta.

The New York Times

From chapter four, "The Sexual Revolution: Being a Rather Complete Survey of the Entire Sexual Scene": The sexual revolution began with Man's discovery that he was not attractive to Woman, as such.

The New Yorker

TREF-SEC provides a rather complete, accurate, and quantitative representation of the CD×MWD.

Polymer

This paper presents a rather complete model of impregnation kinetics and internal active ingredient profile.

Chemical Engineering Science

As a byproduct we obtain a rather complete characterization of the effective dynamics in Lorenz model.

Journal of Computational Physics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

But the need for a rather more complete account of his life persisted.

The New Yorker

It's rather a complete lack of interest, or faith, or goodwill.

The Guardian - Opinion

"In the Highlands, the light never really goes – it's dusk, rather than complete darkness.

The Guardian

Now I'd rather the complete works of Jean Rhys sitting on my lap.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Leno describes the interior of his car as "rather froufrou, complete with a makeup kit".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather complete" when you want to convey that something is comprehensively addressed or finished, but without claiming absolute perfection. For instance, "The investigation produced a rather complete overview of the incident."

Common error

Avoid using "rather complete" when something is genuinely, definitively complete. Reserve it for situations where minor imperfections or areas for improvement still exist. Using it when something is objectively finished undermines the nuanced meaning of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather complete" functions as an intensifier ("rather") modifying an adjective ("complete"). According to Ludwig AI, it indicates a level of completeness that is notable but not necessarily absolute.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

21%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather complete" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that is quite or fairly complete, though not necessarily perfect. As Ludwig AI tells us, its usage is grammatically correct and quite common, especially in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, consider the subtle differences between it and alternatives like "almost complete" or "fairly complete" to best convey your intended meaning. Avoid using it in situations where absolute completeness is implied. This expression allows writers to convey accuracy without overstating the facts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost complete

Indicates a state very near to being complete, suggesting only a small part is missing.

fairly complete

Suggests a good level of completeness, though possibly not perfect.

quite complete

Similar to 'fairly complete', implying a notable degree of completeness.

reasonably complete

Highlights that the level of completeness is acceptable or satisfactory under the circumstances.

substantially complete

Implies that most of the necessary elements are present.

largely complete

Indicates that the majority is complete, but acknowledges potential minor gaps.

virtually complete

Suggests nearing absolute completeness, with only the most minor details possibly outstanding.

effectively complete

Implies that it is complete to a point where further work is not necessary.

practically complete

Focuses on the practical implications of being complete, implying only minor theoretical gaps.

near complete

Highlights proximity to a state of completeness.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather complete" to describe something that is fairly comprehensive or well-done but not necessarily perfect. For example: "The analysis provided a "rather complete" picture of the market trends."

What are some alternatives to "rather complete"?

Alternatives include "fairly complete", "quite complete", or "almost complete", depending on the degree of completeness you want to emphasize.

Is it better to say "rather complete" or "very complete"?

"Rather complete" suggests a good level of completeness without being absolute, while "very complete" emphasizes a higher degree of thoroughness. The best choice depends on the specific context and the intended nuance.

What's the difference between "rather complete" and "completely"?

"Rather complete" implies a degree of completeness that is satisfactory but not necessarily absolute. "Completely" signifies that something is finished or thorough in every aspect, leaving nothing outstanding. You can consider "almost entirely" as a substitute.