rather large

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather large" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is significantly big or considerable in size. Example: "The house was rather large, with five bedrooms and a spacious backyard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I'm afraid it's rather large.

The New Yorker

That is a rather large sticking point.

The New York Times

"The rain bands are rather large.

The New York Times

The lungs are rather large and heavy.

The New Yorker

That's a rather large "if", though.

The Guardian - Sport

"I read Mr Straw's rather large file," he said.

The Guardian

"It was a rather large ball mark," Stricker said.

The New York Times - Sports

Her assets were irrepressible gaiety and "rather large, surprised eyes".

The Guardian

"Lots of bushy brown hair, and rather large front teeth".

The Guardian - Opinion

But a rather large drop from the previous year.

The New York Times

If not, that would be a rather large intelligence failure.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather large" to subtly emphasize size without resorting to stronger terms like "huge" or "enormous". It's suitable for situations where understatement is preferred or where the size is significant but not exceptionally so.

Common error

Avoid using "rather large" excessively in highly formal or technical writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound less precise than alternatives like "substantially sized" or "considerably expanded", which might be more appropriate for certain professional or academic contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather large" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It is used to describe a noun, indicating that it is significantly bigger than average. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather large" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that describes something as being significantly bigger than average without being extreme. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. Its versatility makes it suitable for a range of contexts, from news reporting to general descriptions, though it may benefit from more precise alternatives in highly formal settings. Its effectiveness lies in its ability to convey a nuanced sense of size, emphasizing that something is noticeably big without resorting to stronger terms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite substantial

Indicates a considerable amount or size, similar to "rather large" but potentially emphasizing volume or quantity.

considerably big

Emphasizes the degree of bigness, suggesting that something is noticeably larger than average.

fairly sizable

Highlights the size as being significant, offering a slightly more formal tone.

moderately extensive

Suggests something is large in scope or range, rather than physical dimension.

appreciably huge

Emphasizes the noticeable extent of something's hugeness.

somewhat immense

Implies a great size, though qualified by "somewhat", making it less absolute than "immense" alone.

remarkably grand

Focuses on impressiveness in size or scale, adding a sense of admiration.

significantly vast

Stresses the importance of the vastness, highlighting its impact.

comparatively spacious

Indicates that something is large in relation to something else, emphasizing its roominess.

noticeably voluminous

Draws attention to the large volume or capacity of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather large" to describe something that is bigger than average, but not excessively so. For example, "The company made a "rather large profit" this quarter" or "The garden had a "rather large tree" in the center."

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

"Rather large" implies a size that is noticeably above average but not extreme. "Very large", on the other hand, suggests a more significant degree of largeness. "Rather" adds a touch of understatement compared to "very".

What are some alternatives to "rather large"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "quite substantial", "fairly sizable", or "considerably big" to convey a similar meaning.

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

Yes, "rather large" is generally appropriate, but consider your audience and the level of formality required. In some highly formal or technical contexts, more precise alternatives might be preferable.