rather like that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather like that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a similarity or comparison to something previously mentioned or implied. Example: "The painting reminded me of a style I had seen before, rather like that of the Impressionists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But I rather like that".

Independent

Someone I spoke to at Paramount has these figures that I rather like, that I find rather liberating.

The New Yorker

Beacham had scheduled our meeting for the bar of the Paddington Hilton because "you could be anywhere in the world and I rather like that".

The Guardian

It's rather like that old showbiz legend".

The New York Times - Arts

"There's never much down time, but I rather like that.

The Guardian

There used to be a border rather like that running through the middle of Jerusalem.

The Guardian

I do rather like that passage about her disappointment at discovering that maturity "can make you smaller".

The New Yorker

The National Front has a wing which is rather like that, but they're not all like that.

The Guardian

It's rather like that upside-down jet piloted by Denzel Washington in Flight: difficult but not impossible.

The Guardian - Film

The accommodation worked out is rather like that which guards and inmates arrive at in their collaborative governance of a prison.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When it came to Russian literature, the correspondence between Nabokov and Wilson was rather like that between an amused, patient teacher and an eager, overreaching student.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather like that" to draw comparisons between two things, ensuring the context makes the comparison clear and relevant to your point.

Common error

Avoid using "rather like that" when a stronger or more precise comparison is needed; consider alternatives like "identical to" or "completely different from" to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather like that" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a degree of similarity or resemblance. Ludwig AI affirms its proper and widespread use, indicating that it serves to qualify a comparison without asserting exact equivalence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather like that" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate a partial similarity between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. While generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to understand its nuance to ensure precise communication. Remember to use it when you want to draw a comparison, but not suggest an exact match. Alternatives include "somewhat similar to that" or "resembling that". Understanding the best practices can help you avoid common errors and improve your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat similar to that

Uses 'somewhat similar' instead of 'rather like', indicating a slight degree of similarity.

quite similar to that

Employs 'quite similar' to convey a notable resemblance.

resembling that

A more concise way of expressing similarity to a particular thing.

analogous to that

Suggests a direct comparison or analogy.

comparable to that

Indicates that something can be compared to something else.

in a similar fashion to that

A more verbose way of indicating likeness in method or manner.

along the lines of that

Suggests something is similar in concept or general idea.

akin to that

A formal way of saying something is of similar kind.

much the same as that

Indicates a high degree of similarity or equivalence.

not unlike that

Emphasizes that something is similar, but with a touch of understatement.

FAQs

How can I use "rather like that" in a sentence?

Use "rather like that" to draw a comparison between two things. For example, "The situation is "rather like that" of the early 20th century."

What are some alternatives to "rather like that"?

You can use alternatives such as "somewhat similar to that", "quite like that", or "resembling that" depending on the context.

Is "rather like that" formal or informal?

"Rather like that" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall context.

What's the difference between "rather like that" and "exactly like that"?

"Rather like that" suggests a partial similarity, whereas "exactly like that" indicates a complete and precise match. The choice depends on the degree of similarity you want to convey.