rather conservative

USAGE SUMMARY

"rather conservative" is a valid phrase in written English and can be used to describe someone who has fairly traditional or conservative views or habits.
For example: "My father is rather conservative when it comes to his views on politics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or rather, "conservative".

The Guardian

"You sound rather conservative," observed one MP.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We have rather conservative early American furniture.

The New York Times

The low incidence warranted a rather conservative prevention policy.

Journal of Clinical Virology

Portraiture itself is an ancient, and often rather conservative, practice.

The New York Times

An ageing population will be rather conservative, he thinks.

The Economist

"This is a rather conservative drawing," Dr. Wheeler said.

The New York Times - Science

First, I learned that militaries tend to be rather conservative institutions.

University of California, Berkeley

However, those conditions are rather conservative and do not guarantee a wide stability region.

Fuzzy Sets and Systems

The presented results suggest that the design according to German standards is rather conservative.

Brittle Matrix Composites 8

This is one reason its backers include some rather conservative investment institutions.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "rather conservative", be specific about the area in which they hold conservative views (e.g., "rather conservative in their fiscal policies" or "rather conservative in their fashion choices").

Common error

Avoid assuming that someone "rather conservative" in one aspect of life is necessarily conservative in all areas. People can hold a mix of conservative and liberal views.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather conservative" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "conservative". It specifies the degree to which someone or something embodies conservative characteristics, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather conservative" is a commonly used phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier, softening the adjective "conservative". As Ludwig highlights, its primary purpose is to indicate a moderate leaning towards traditional values or approaches, without implying strict or extreme adherence. The phrase maintains a neutral register and is frequently found in news, media and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is valid in written English. When using "rather conservative", ensure that the context is clear and that you are not overgeneralizing the views of the person or thing being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat traditional

Suggests a moderate adherence to established customs and beliefs, less forceful than "rather conservative".

moderately cautious

Emphasizes prudence and carefulness, shifting focus from ideology to behavior.

fairly conventional

Highlights adherence to social norms and expectations, differing slightly from political or personal conservatism.

relatively moderate

Indicates a position that is not extreme or radical, often used in a political context.

quite reserved

Focuses on restraint in expression and behavior, a more personal attribute.

slightly cautious

Indicates a mild degree of carefulness or prudence.

reasonably prudent

Emphasizes the exercise of good judgment and foresight, related to risk avoidance.

somewhat restrained

Suggests a degree of self-control or moderation in behavior or expression.

mildly traditional

Highlights a weak or gentle adherence to established customs.

passably unadventurous

Focuses on the avoidance of risks or novel experiences.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather conservative" to describe someone or something that leans towards traditional values or approaches. For example, "His views on social issues are "rather conservative"".

What does "rather conservative" mean?

"Rather conservative" indicates a moderate degree of adherence to traditional values, beliefs, or practices. It suggests a leaning towards conservatism without being extremely rigid or dogmatic.

What's the difference between "conservative" and "rather conservative"?

The addition of "rather" softens the intensity of "conservative". "Conservative" implies a strong adherence to tradition, while ""rather conservative"" suggests a more moderate leaning towards traditional values.

What are some alternative ways to say "rather conservative"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "somewhat traditional", "moderately cautious", or "fairly conventional".