rather great

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather great" is an acceptable part of a sentence in written English and can be used when expressing a degree of positive opinion.
For example, "The new restaurant down the street serves rather great food."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

It was really rather great.

Independent

Rather, great chunks of this history rest on unfashionable opinions.

The Guardian - Books

But those moments can be rather great to play.

The New York Times

Sounds silly, maybe, but it's actually rather great, especially if you crunch numbers for a living.

The New York Times - Tech

No 96 is Big Scary's moody and rather great Luck Now.

The Guardian

Well worth a look, as is this rather great infographic on season two.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

But it also reflects rather greater worries about the current crisis than the government admits to.

The Economist

They also suggest the swing has been rather greater amongst working class than middle class voters.

Independent

The impact, rather greater than the grazing that he had been planning for, resulted in a trip to hospital.

The Guardian - Arts

Of course, the responsibilities of local government are rather greater than those of the average Lego builder.

The Guardian

Sir Antony wrote: "At the present stage... the risks of political embarrassment to the government is rather greater than the security danger".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather great" to express mild enthusiasm or approval without sounding overly effusive. It's ideal for situations where strong praise isn't necessary or appropriate.

Common error

While acceptable, relying too heavily on "rather great" can make your writing sound repetitive or bland. In formal settings, consider stronger synonyms like "excellent" or "remarkable" to convey a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather great" primarily functions as a pre-modifier, adding a degree of emphasis to the adjective "great". This usage is supported by examples from Ludwig, indicating its role in describing the quality or characteristic of a noun.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather great" functions as a pre-modifier expressing a positive assessment without strong emphasis. It is considered grammatically correct and enjoys common usage across various contexts, particularly in news media and scientific writing. While versatile, remember to choose stronger synonyms in formal contexts to prevent blandness. Ludwig AI confirms the acceptability of this phrase. When greater emphasis is desired, consider alternative expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite excellent

This alternative uses "excellent" instead of "great", suggesting a slightly higher degree of quality or impressiveness.

remarkably good

This phrase emphasizes the unexpected or noteworthy nature of the goodness.

exceptionally fine

Similar to "quite excellent", this implies a very high standard of quality.

terribly wonderful

This alternative uses "wonderful" instead of "great", to express joy or delight.

considerably impressive

This alternative emphasizes the degree to which something makes a strong impact or impression.

noticeably superb

This phrase emphasizes how easily the superior quality is perceived.

distinctly admirable

This alternative highlights the quality of deserving respect or approval.

particularly outstanding

This emphasizes how something is special in comparison to similar things.

decidedly magnificent

This phrase uses "magnificent" instead of "great", suggesting grandeur or splendor.

uncommonly exceptional

This alternative expresses the rare nature of something that stands out.

FAQs

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

"Rather great" is typically used before a noun to express a positive, though not overwhelming, assessment. For example, "The concert was "rather great"" or "She has a "rather great" talent for painting."

What can I say instead of "rather great"?

You can use alternatives like "quite excellent", "remarkably good", or "exceptionally fine" depending on the context.

Is "rather great" formal or informal?

"Rather great" leans towards the neutral side, suitable for everyday conversation or writing. For more formal contexts, consider more sophisticated alternatives.

Can "rather great" be used to express strong enthusiasm?

While "rather great" conveys a positive sentiment, it doesn't express overwhelming enthusiasm. For stronger feelings, consider using words like "amazing", "fantastic", or "incredible".