rather more challenging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather more challenging" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is significantly more difficult than expected or compared to something else. Example: "The new project is rather more challenging than the previous one, requiring additional resources and time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The problem with Sigint is that whilst collecting and decrypting it is fairly straightforward, what it actually means (analysis) is rather more challenging.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, 2015 could be rather more challenging.

BBC

Pinpointing the precise nature of the elements conferring translational regulatory properties is rather more challenging.

BMC Genomics

The rather more challenging questions came from the Labour benches.

The Guardian

But the dodgy "African" mask on the front makes it a rather more challenging fashion item.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Without a guitar in his hands, reaching that cathartic moment proves rather more challenging, but Who I Am is an unusually frank and moving attempt.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

That said, the review is likely to be rather more existentially challenging to the BBC Trust itself, the body that has the often uncomfortable task of reconciling sometimes conflicting responsibilities - those of regulator, representative of licence-fee payers (who for these purposes can be seen as the owners) and occasional human shield when the Director General lands in a spot of bother.

BBC

The representation of the numerator in (21) in terms of a line integral rather than a double integral is more challenging.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

Therefore the use of TA to characterize, rather than detect, focal lesions is more challenging.

Cancer Imaging

Braking proved more challenging.

The New York Times - Sports

The nights were more challenging.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "rather more challenging", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the subject is more challenging than. This provides a necessary point of comparison for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "rather more challenging" when the increase in difficulty is minimal or insignificant. Overusing intensifiers can dilute their impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather more challenging" functions as an intensifier modifying the adjective "challenging". As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes a significant increase in difficulty or complexity, serving to emphasize the degree to which something presents a challenge. Examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, like comparing tasks or indicating increased difficulty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather more challenging" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a significant increase in difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to science, indicating a substantial degree of challenge. While alternatives like "significantly more complex" or "considerably more demanding" exist, "rather more challenging" offers a neutral and precise way to express this idea. Remember to use it when the increase in difficulty is indeed noticeable and relevant to the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably more demanding

Emphasizes the level of effort or skill required, suggesting a significant increase in difficulty.

significantly more complex

Highlights the intricate nature of the task, indicating a notable increase in complexity.

appreciably more difficult

Suggests a noticeable increase in the level of difficulty.

noticeably tougher

Implies a clear and distinct increase in the level of toughness or hardship.

markedly more arduous

Focuses on the effort and exertion required, signifying a considerable increase in laboriousness.

substantially more testing

Highlights the challenging and evaluative nature of the situation, suggesting a significant increase in the level of testing.

decidedly more problematic

Emphasizes the presence of issues or obstacles, indicating a clear increase in the level of problem-solving required.

distinctly more intricate

Focuses on the detailed and interwoven nature of the task, signifying a clear increase in intricacy.

measurably more taxing

Indicates that the task is demonstrably more burdensome or demanding on resources.

somewhat more challenging

Indicates a slight increase in difficulty, maintaining a similar tone but with less emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "rather more challenging" in a sentence?

Use "rather more challenging" to describe a task, situation, or concept that presents a significant increase in difficulty compared to something else. For instance, "The second level of the game is "rather more challenging" than the first".

What are some alternatives to "rather more challenging"?

Alternatives include "significantly more complex", "considerably more demanding", or "appreciably more difficult". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "rather more challenging" in formal writing?

Yes, "rather more challenging" is suitable for formal writing. It is a relatively neutral and precise way to describe an increase in difficulty without being overly informal or colloquial.

What is the difference between "more challenging" and "rather more challenging"?

The addition of "rather" intensifies the degree of difficulty. While "more challenging" simply indicates a higher level of difficulty, "rather more challenging" emphasizes that the difference is substantial or noticeable.