rather high

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather high" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is significantly elevated or above a certain level, often in terms of quantity, degree, or intensity. Example: "The prices for the concert tickets are rather high this year compared to last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But it seems rather high.

The Economist

CONS: Maintenance is rather high.

The New York Times

Prices are rather high.

The New Yorker

Rather high, I think.

The New York Times - Arts

We were all rather high..

The Guardian - Books

The city is backing the gamble, at rather high stakes.

The New York Times - Sports

But Mrs Bourne has rather high expectations of her houseguests.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rockefeller felt that the price was rather high.

The New Yorker

The chance of his death was in fact rather high.

The New Yorker

The price is rather high for a Hitler book.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Photograph: Murdo Macleod Funding for the arts has been a rather high-profile issue lately.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance your writing, substitute "rather high" with semantically richer alternatives based on specific scenarios like using "remarkably high" to express surprise, or "considerably elevated" to emphasize quantity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "rather high" in formal or academic writing, as it can sound vague. Replace it with more precise terms such as "significantly elevated", "considerably increased", or quantifiable metrics to enhance precision and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather high" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a degree or level that is above average but not necessarily extreme. Ludwig provides examples showing it describing quantities, prices and levels across various fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather high" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase. As Ludwig shows, it is generally employed to indicate that something is above average but not excessively so. While versatile across numerous contexts, it appears most commonly in News & Media and Scientific domains. While Ludwig AI confirms it's correct usage, it's best to replace it with specific adjectives in formal and academic writing, as it can sound vague.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkably high

Adds a stronger emphasis on the noteworthiness of the high level.

considerably elevated

Emphasizes a significant degree of elevation compared to "rather high".

relatively extreme

Indicates a position at the far end of a scale, implying a higher degree than "rather high".

fairly substantial

Indicates a level that is more than average, though without exaggeration.

noticeably excessive

Highlights that something exceeds a normal or acceptable limit more overtly than "rather high".

moderately substantial

Suggests a tangible amount or degree, offering a slightly more concrete feel than "rather high".

somewhat significant

Underscores the importance or impact of the level, shifting the focus slightly from mere elevation.

appreciably increased

Focuses on the change or growth to a higher level, adding a dynamic aspect.

comparatively steep

Implies a rapid or significant increase, often used in the context of slopes or gradients.

distinctly above average

Explicitly positions the level in relation to a typical benchmark.

FAQs

What does "rather high" mean?

The phrase "rather high" means something is above average or elevated to a noticeable degree. It implies a level that is more than expected but not necessarily extreme.

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

You can use "rather high" to describe quantities, prices, or levels. For example, "The risk of complications is "relatively high"" or "The cost of living here is "comparatively high"".

What are some alternatives to "rather high"?

Some alternatives include "quite high", "fairly high", "relatively high", "significantly high", or "considerably high". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of elevation you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "rather high" in formal writing?

While "rather high" is grammatically correct, it's generally better to use more precise language in formal writing. Alternatives like "significantly elevated" or "substantially increased" can convey a more professional tone.