rather faster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather faster" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a degree of speed that is notably greater than something else, often in a comparative context. Example: "The new engine allows the car to accelerate rather faster than the previous model."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

We are showing that it seems to be happening rather faster than that".

The Guardian

This year, however, filling the tank may empty the wallet rather faster than usual.

The Economist

But Asia's economies have returned to normal rather faster than its monetary policies.

The Economist

In fact, their maths results have been improving rather faster than those of their peers in other countries, according to Dr John Jerrim of the IoE.

The Guardian

Recordings such as Paul McCreesh's St Matthew Passion show that this radically smaller chorus allows for rather faster tempi - too fast, some people think.

The Guardian - Books

"They thought [the] audience would grow rather faster, miscalculated the budget," Lebedev said of London Live, which launched in March 2014.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 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

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

The Guardian

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

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather faster" to indicate a noticeable but not necessarily extreme increase in speed. It works well in comparative contexts where you're contrasting two rates or speeds.

Common error

Avoid using "rather faster" when describing an exceptionally rapid increase in speed. In such cases, stronger adverbs like 'much', 'significantly', or 'considerably' would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather faster" functions as an adverbial modifier, enhancing the verb by specifying the degree to which an action is performed quickly. It indicates a comparative speed, suggesting something is quicker than another. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

28%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather faster" is a useful adverbial phrase to indicate a noticeable increase in speed compared to something else. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the degree of speed and choose stronger adverbs if the increase is exceptionally rapid. Understanding its nuances, as well as where it appears more often (News & Media) allows for more effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably quicker

Emphasizes a significant difference in speed, implying a more substantial improvement.

noticeably swifter

Highlights that the increase in speed is easily observed or detected.

markedly more rapid

Indicates a distinct and measurable increase in speed.

significantly speedier

Similar to 'considerably quicker', but perhaps slightly less formal.

appreciably faster

Suggests that the increased speed is valuable or beneficial.

measurably faster

Focuses on the fact that the change in speed can be quantified.

distinctly accelerated

Highlights a more forceful or pronounced increase in speed.

appreciably quicker

Implies that the increased speed makes a noticeable difference.

moderately faster

Suggests a less dramatic, but still perceptible, increase in speed.

somewhat quicker

Indicates a slight or subtle increase in speed.

FAQs

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

The phrase "rather faster" is typically used to compare the speed of two actions or processes. For example, "The new software processes data "rather faster" than the old version."

What are some alternatives to "rather faster"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "considerably quicker", "noticeably swifter", or "markedly more rapid" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more formal to say "rather faster" or "much faster"?

"Rather faster" can come across as slightly more formal or understated than "much faster". The best choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing.

What's the difference between "rather fast" and "rather faster"?

"Rather fast" describes something that is quick in general, while "rather faster" is comparative, indicating that something is quicker than something else. For example, "The car is "rather fast"" versus "This car is "rather faster" than my old one."