rather lower

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather lower" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a degree of something being lower than expected or compared to something else. Example: "The temperature today is rather lower than it was yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The standard of political oratory is now rather lower.

The Economist

The Virgin Mary excepted, Miss Shepherd's sights were set rather lower.

The Guardian - Film

My own experience of his style was on a rather lower plane.

The Guardian

In China, the stakes were rather lower – but some competitors couldn't forget the war at home.

Independent

This year, Ventro's revenues are likely to be rather lower: zero, to be precise.

The Economist

The Mets had only eight hits, a rather lower figure considering how many runs they scored.

The New York Times - Sports

Coyle's sights are set rather lower but he has so far been unable to entice any targets from Britain.

The Guardian - Sport

But it also means Stephenson is rather lower on this year's list than Tranter, at number 10, was last year.

The Guardian

Rather lower in profile is Kent T20 captain, Sam Northeast, whose 96 off 47 balls helped Kent set a target at Beckenham that Surrey never really threatened.

The Guardian - Sport

The bar for Sky Arts is set rather lower, given that it is in just over 10m pay-TV homes, compared to BBC4's more than 25m.

The Guardian

Either way, these values are rather lower than some that have been suggested over the years, but by any measure, these were colossal animals.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rather lower", consider whether you want to emphasize the degree of difference. Alternatives like "slightly lower" can be used to downplay the difference, while "significantly lower" can highlight it.

Common error

Avoid using "rather lower" when the difference is substantial. In such cases, stronger terms like "much lower" or "considerably lower" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather lower" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "lower". It serves to specify the extent to which something is reduced or diminished. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and usable in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather lower" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express that something is somewhat less than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across a range of contexts. It's prevalent in formal writing, science, news, and business communications, where a moderate reduction or decrease needs to be indicated. While generally neutral in tone, ensure you are not overstating a difference when a more significant term like "much lower" would be more appropriate. Consider the subtle nuances in the alternatives, like "slightly lower" or "relatively lower", to fine-tune your writing and convey the precise degree of difference you intend.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat lower

Implies a slight degree of reduction, similar to "rather lower" but may suggest a more subtle difference.

slightly lower

Emphasizes the smallness of the reduction, akin to "rather lower" in denoting a marginal decrease.

relatively lower

Indicates a lower position in comparison to something else, similar to how "rather lower" sets a reduced state relative to a reference point.

comparatively lower

Highlights the comparison between two levels where one is less than the other, much like "rather lower" does by suggesting a differential.

noticeably less

Suggests that the decrease is apparent or easy to observe, differing from "rather lower" by adding an element of visibility.

moderately reduced

Implies a reduction that is neither drastic nor insignificant, comparable to "rather lower" in showing a tempered decline.

fairly reduced

Similar in conveying a reduction, with 'fairly' adding a sense of reasonableness or justifiability.

reasonably reduced

Suggests the reduction is logical or justifiable, adding a rational element not necessarily present in "rather lower".

marginally decreased

Emphasizes the smallness of the decrease, similar to "rather lower" but more specifically focusing on the marginal amount.

minimally diminished

Indicates the reduction is so small as to be almost negligible, conveying a weaker sense of decrease than "rather lower".

FAQs

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

You can use "rather lower" to describe a level, amount, or degree that is somewhat less than another. For example, "The price is "rather lower" than we expected."

What phrases are similar to "rather lower"?

Similar phrases include "somewhat lower", "slightly lower", or "relatively lower", all indicating a moderate degree of reduction.

Is "rather lower" formal or informal?

"Rather lower" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone of the writing.

When should I use "much lower" instead of "rather lower"?

Use "much lower" when the difference is significant or substantial. "Rather lower" suggests a smaller, less pronounced difference. Consider the impact you want to create when choosing between "rather lower" and "much lower".