rather fast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather fast" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is quite quick or speedy, often in a comparative sense. Example: "The car was rather fast, easily outpacing the other vehicles on the highway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All this can be done rather fast.

The Economist

From the beginning, I was drinking rather fast.

The New Yorker

"But the revolutionary regime does need new leaders rather fast.

The New York Times

The shopping clock is ticking rather fast now, just four days before Christmas.

Independent

She (talking rather fast): "It is the most extraordinary thing I've ever created.

The Guardian

"As those details apparently have come under discussion, we now find a rather fast backpedaling".

The New York Times

"My argument is that they can learn it all rather fast.

The New York Times - Science

It plays rather fast and loose with the facts but it means well.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"The situation is changing rather fast, and in the last five years we've seen great improvement," Sister Jeanne said.

The New York Times

You have the curious feeling that the edge of the map is looming up in front of you rather fast.

Independent

Along the way there's a healthy dose of nostalgia, as well as the smack of recognition that time, or at least technology, travels rather fast.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rather fast", consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended degree of speed or quickness; it's often used to indicate something is faster than expected or average.

Common error

Avoid using "rather fast" excessively in very informal conversations; while grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "pretty fast" or "quite fast" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather fast" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically modifying verbs or adjectives to describe the speed at which an action occurs or a state changes. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather fast" is a grammatically correct and versatile adverbial modifier used to describe the speed of actions or processes. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it's "Very common", particularly in scientific and news contexts. While appropriate for both formal and informal writing, it should be used judiciously in very informal settings to avoid sounding stilted. Consider alternatives like "quite rapid" or "fairly quick" for slightly different nuances. As Ludwig AI confirms, "rather fast" conveys a noticeable but not extreme speed, making it a useful phrase for nuanced descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite rapid

Emphasizes speed, similar to "rather fast", but uses a slightly more formal adjective.

fairly quick

Indicates a moderate level of speed, akin to "rather fast", employing "quick" instead of "fast".

somewhat speedy

Suggests a degree of speed, comparable to "rather fast", but with a slightly different tone.

moderately swift

Highlights speed using "swift", implying a more elegant or efficient quickness than "fast".

relatively hasty

Emphasizes the quickness of an action, potentially implying impulsiveness.

noticeably quick

Focuses on the ease of observing the speed.

appreciably rapid

Highlights the significant degree of quickness.

remarkably fast

Emphasizes the speed as being noteworthy or surprising.

at a considerable pace

Expresses speed in terms of progress over time, focusing on the rate of movement.

with notable velocity

Uses a more technical term, "velocity", to describe speed, suggesting precision.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather fast" to describe the speed of an action or process, such as, "The situation is changing "rather fast", and in the last five years we've seen great improvement."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "rather fast"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "quite rapid", "fairly quick", or "somewhat speedy" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "rather fast" and "very fast"?

"Rather fast" implies a moderate degree of speed, whereas "very fast" indicates a higher intensity of speed. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "rather fast" in writing?

The phrase "rather fast" is appropriate in both formal and informal writing when you want to indicate something is happening at a noticeably quick pace, without necessarily emphasizing extreme speed. It suits contexts where moderate emphasis is desired.