rather more special

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather more special" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is significantly more special than usual or expected. Example: "This event is rather more special than any we have held before, as it marks our 10th anniversary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Contribute with Guardian Witness Plunging into the cooling waters of a swimming pool on a hot summer's day is paradise anyway, but throw in some creative architecture, a quirky setting, epic views or a rocking soundtrack and suddenly a mere swim becomes rather more special.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

His aim is rather more limited.

SEP

It seems a shame that they should have been waved off from a dustbin rather than anything more special.

The Guardian - Arts

More special, kinda.

Huffington Post

Not usually known for speaking to the media (rather slapping them - true!), it makes it even more special that we shared such a joyous conversation.

Independent

"It's definitely an Australian thing, and there's something more special and meaningful about partying outdoors rather than in a club".

Vice

Seeing The Stooges in the setting of Bukta, rather than some mega-fest or dead arena, made it all the more special.

The Guardian - Music

Now, special relativity implies that on his return Paul will be rather more than two years younger than Peter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For the other special zones, not to mention the rest of the country, something rather more ambitious will be needed.(Picture credit: AFP).

The Economist

Rather more desperate is Pointless Celebrities (tomorrow, 5.40pm, BBC1), which has also insisted on having a Doctor Who special.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But rather than rising to that challenge and exercising moral leadership in health care reform, we are acting like one more special interest group.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather more special" when you want to subtly emphasize that something is significantly more special than what is typically expected or considered normal. It adds a touch of understatement.

Common error

Avoid using "rather more special" in situations that clearly warrant stronger, more direct praise. Understatement can be lost or misinterpreted if the context calls for stronger emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather more special" functions as a degree modifier enhancing the adjective "special". It indicates that something possesses a quality to a notably higher degree than usual. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is valid and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rather more special" is a grammatically sound expression used to subtly emphasize that something is notably more special than the average. As Ludwig AI points out, it is correct and applicable in written English. While not overly common, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, serving to elevate descriptions without resorting to hyperbole. Alternatives such as "significantly more distinctive" or "considerably more unique" offer similar nuanced enhancements. When using "rather more special", it's best to employ it in situations where you want to convey a sense of heightened significance, while avoiding contexts that demand stronger, more direct praise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably more unique

Emphasizes uniqueness with a stronger adverb.

significantly more distinctive

Highlights distinctiveness using "significantly" to amplify the difference.

appreciably more remarkable

Stresses how noticeably more remarkable something is.

noticeably more exceptional

Highlights the ease with which the exceptional quality can be perceived.

markedly more singular

Uses "markedly" to emphasize the distinctiveness and uniqueness.

somewhat more extraordinary

Emphasizes extraordinariness but in a more subdued manner.

a good deal more significant

Indicates a considerable difference in significance.

substantially more noteworthy

Highlights noteworthiness with a greater degree of impact.

decidedly more unusual

Stresses how clearly and unquestionably more unusual something is.

distinctly more memorable

Highlights the clarity and impact of the memory created.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather more special" to describe something that is noticeably above average, but in a subtle way. For example, "This occasion is "rather more special" than usual, as it marks a significant milestone".

What does "rather more special" mean?

"Rather more special" means something is significantly more unique or important than what is generally expected. It implies a subtle but noticeable difference.

Are there synonyms for "rather more special"?

Yes, synonyms include "significantly more distinctive", "considerably more unique", or "noticeably more exceptional". These phrases convey a similar meaning of elevated uniqueness.

When is it appropriate to use "rather more special"?

It is appropriate to use "rather more special" when you want to express that something is particularly unique or important, but in a slightly understated manner. It's suitable for situations where you want to avoid hyperbole.