rather fond of

USAGE SUMMARY

"rather fond of" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has a friendly or positive attitude towards something. For example, "He was rather fond of his old car which he had owned for many years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In fact, she is rather fond of high heels.

The New York Times

I'm also rather fond of Lips So Facto, not least for the name.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was also rather fond of his 2004 LP The Monkeys in the Zoo Have More Fun Than Me.

Independent

What if it's quite O.K. to use intensifiers very often, because Jane Austen is rather fond of them?

The New Yorker

When told that Dickey is rather fond of the fuzz, Taps would not rule out the possibility of a one-time whisker waiver.

The New York Times - Sports

PROTECTED for centuries by the sea from the depredation of Europe's various despots, the English are, unsurprisingly, rather fond of their little channel.

The Economist

(The italics are Kundera's. He is in fact rather fond of italics, giving to his words a sureness they might otherwise lack).

The New York Times - Books

What's nice about the programme is that as well as quite rightly ridiculing the BOP and the rest, AA is clearly also rather fond of them.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She works for a publishing company, and then a television station, and is rather fond of her parents, if also mortified by them.

The New Yorker

Microsoft hopes to bully users especially corporate IT departments rather fond of the robust XP to switch to its new Windows 8, sales of which have not been as perky as hoped.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Poles are practical people, and they seem rather fonder of the EU's money than they are of its institutions.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using "rather fond of"; it might be perceived as understated in very enthusiastic or informal situations.

Common error

Avoid using "rather fond of" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for stronger, more precise verbs that convey a clearer sense of appreciation or preference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather fond of" functions as a subject complement, specifically an adjectival phrase, providing information about the subject's feelings or disposition. As confirmed by Ludwig, it expresses a positive attitude or mild affection towards something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

13%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather fond of" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to convey a mild degree of liking or appreciation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, though it may be considered too informal for strictly academic or scientific writing. With a prevalence in news and media, this phrase offers a balanced expression of positive sentiment, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary. Remember to consider your audience and desired tone when choosing "rather fond of" over more emphatic alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partial to

Drops "rather" for a slightly less emphatic expression of preference.

somewhat keen on

Replaces "fond" with "keen" and "rather" with "somewhat", maintaining a similar level of enthusiasm.

quite partial to

Substitutes "fond" with "partial" and "rather" with "quite", suggesting a slight preference.

have a soft spot for

Indicates a particular fondness or tenderness.

appreciative of

Uses "appreciative" to convey a sense of valuing something, implying a positive sentiment.

inclined toward

Expresses a tendency or leaning towards something, indicating a favorable disposition.

have a liking for

Uses a more common idiom to indicate a positive feeling.

enjoy

A simpler expression of liking, omitting the nuance of degree.

hold in some esteem

Conveys a sense of respect and appreciation.

develop an affection for

Suggests a gradual growth of fondness.

FAQs

How can I use "rather fond of" in a sentence?

You can use "rather fond of" to express a mild liking or appreciation for something. For example, "She is "rather fond of" classical music" or "He's "rather fond of" his old car".

What's the difference between "rather fond of" and "very fond of"?

"Rather fond of" suggests a moderate level of liking, while "very fond of" implies a stronger affection. The choice depends on the intensity of feeling you want to convey. "Very fond of" is more emphatic than "rather fond of".

Are there situations where "rather fond of" might not be appropriate?

In highly formal or technical writing, "rather fond of" might sound too informal. Consider stronger, more precise language in such contexts. Additionally, if you want to express strong enthusiasm, consider alternatives like "extremely fond of" or "absolutely love".

What can I say instead of "rather fond of" to sound more formal?

For more formal alternatives, consider phrases like "appreciative of", "partial to", or expressing a particular enjoyment or preference more directly.