rather good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather good" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a moderate level of approval or satisfaction with something, often implying that it is better than average. Example: "The movie was rather good, exceeding my expectations for a sequel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rather good.

Independent

It's rather good.

Independent

It's really rather good.

Independent

They felt rather good.

The New York Times - Magazine

Together they're rather good.

The Guardian - Travel

Rather good it is.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

do taste rather good.

The New York Times - Style

As television, it was rather good.

The Economist

It also tastes rather good.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"They are rather good, actually.

The Guardian - Sport

Tempura elderflower is rather good.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather good" to express a balanced positive assessment, indicating something is better than average without being exceptional. It's suitable when you want to convey a sense of understated approval.

Common error

While "rather good" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated synonyms like "commendable" or "exceptional" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather good" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It serves to qualify the noun with a positive attribute, indicating that it is above average in quality or performance. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather good" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that expresses a moderate level of approval. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's common in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, and is generally considered neutral in register. While suitable for many situations, it's best to avoid overuse in formal academic writing, opting instead for more precise alternatives. When using "rather good", consider it as a balanced positive assessment which indicates that something is better than average without being exceptional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite satisfactory

Indicates an acceptable level of quality, focusing on fulfilling requirements.

pretty decent

Implies an above-average quality with a slightly informal tone.

fairly commendable

Suggests a level of praise and approval, suitable for formal contexts.

moderately impressive

Highlights the impact and noteworthy qualities of something.

somewhat exceptional

Implies the subject stands out from the norm, with an emphasis on uniqueness.

agreeably pleasing

Focuses on the positive emotional response evoked by the subject.

genuinely fine

Stresses the authenticity and superior nature of the subject.

remarkably adequate

Highlights that the subject is surprisingly sufficient for the purpose.

distinctly superior

Emphasizes the notable and easily perceived higher quality of the subject.

pleasantly acceptable

Focuses on the agreeable and non-objectionable nature of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather good" to express moderate approval. For instance, "The performance was rather good, exceeding my expectations" or "The food at the restaurant was rather good."

What's the difference between "rather good" and "very good"?

"Rather good" implies a slightly more subdued approval than "very good". While "very good" suggests strong approval, "rather good" suggests something is better than average but not necessarily outstanding.

Are there more formal alternatives to "rather good"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use more formal alternatives such as "commendable", "satisfactory", or "exceptional". These options are more suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is it grammatically correct to say "rather good"?

Yes, "rather good" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express a moderate level of approval or satisfaction.