rather more than

USAGE SUMMARY

"rather more than" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is greater than what is expected or usual. For example, "The temperature today is rather more than we expected for September."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was rather more than that.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sometimes rather more than half, sometimes rather less.

The New Yorker

It had become rather more than a mere distraction.

Independent

I think that rather more than just a trace.

The New Yorker

Except that Attenborough is rather more than that.

Independent

Guns are also worth rather more than raspberries.

The Economist

Australia has been saying rather more than this, of course.

Independent

The hosts soon had rather more than that to regret.

The Guardian - Sport

For Hitchens it is rather more than that.

The Guardian

Tulse Luper also cost rather more than expected.

The Guardian

"Science gives it rather more than warranted assertibility".

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather more than" to subtly indicate a quantity, degree, or extent that surpasses the expected or typical level. For instance, "The project required rather more time than initially anticipated."

Common error

Avoid using "rather more than" excessively in casual conversation. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in informal settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a lot more" or "much more" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather more than" primarily functions as a comparative quantifier, indicating that something exceeds a certain expectation or standard. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and frequently used in written English to express a degree beyond what is anticipated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather more than" is a versatile phrase used to express that something is greater than expected, suitable for various contexts, especially in News & Media. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While it's grammatically sound, it's best to avoid overuse in informal settings. Consider alternatives like "much more than" for casual conversations. The phrase functions as a comparative quantifier, softening comparisons while conveying a degree beyond what is anticipated. Remember to use it to subtly indicate an excess without being overly emphatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly greater than

Emphasizes a larger difference or increase.

considerably exceeding

Highlights a notable degree of surpassing a limit or expectation.

appreciably beyond

Indicates a noticeable extent of exceeding a certain point.

substantially surpassing

Conveys a considerable amount of outdoing or exceeding.

markedly in excess of

Points out a clear and distinct surplus or overage.

noticeably above

Suggests that something is visibly or easily observed as higher or greater.

well over

Implies a comfortable margin above a particular value or quantity.

distinctly higher than

Highlights a clear difference in level or amount.

quite a bit more than

Uses informal language to indicate a notable increase or difference.

far exceeding

Emphasizes that something surpasses expectations by a large degree.

FAQs

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

Use "rather more than" to indicate that something is greater in quantity, degree, or extent than what might be expected. For example, "The task proved to be "rather more challenging" than we had anticipated."

What are some alternatives to "rather more than"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "significantly greater than", "considerably exceeding", or simply "much more than", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to use "rather more than" in formal writing?

Yes, "rather more than" is perfectly acceptable and appropriate in formal writing. It conveys a sense of understatement while still indicating a significant difference or excess.

What's the difference between "rather more than" and "slightly more than"?

"Rather more than" implies a noticeable difference or excess, while "slightly more than" suggests a minimal or marginal increase. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you wish to convey.