rather notorious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather notorious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is well-known for negative reasons or has a bad reputation. Example: "The town is rather notorious for its haunted history, attracting thrill-seekers from all over."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

In fact, I wrote that paper which has become rather notorious.

The Guardian

During the next three years, Ray's mannequin sculptures established his reputation as a major and rather notorious artist.

The New Yorker

According to historical tracts cited by Mr. Chatwin, the princess led a rather notorious social life there.

The New York Times

The case of Stefan Nystrom has become a rather notorious example of this (Foster, 2009).

Comparative Migration Studies

The James boys were rather notorious at that age - they certainly backed themselves up, put it that way.

BBC

Heist films are rather notorious for featuring the same cliché collective of quirky characters.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The match began half an hour before the start of a rather more notorious England sporting encounter.

The Guardian - Sport

As part of her bombshell wardrobe, Arquette's character wears Bardots throughout the film, even changing into one for that rather, erm, notorious scene in the phone box.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In their earliest incarnation, they would fight for the right to party; in the last two weeks, the Beastie Boys have been rather more notorious for fighting for their right not to fight.

The Guardian - Music

Rather than notorious serial killers like Bundy, Bonn and Andreu both cited the Washington, DC sniper attacks of 2002 when trying to make sense of the Tampa situation.

Vice

Rather than notorious serial killers like Bundy, Bonn, and Andreu both cited the Washington, DC, sniper attacks of 2002 when trying to make sense of the Tampa situation.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather notorious" when you want to indicate that someone or something is quite well-known for negative or undesirable reasons, but without sounding overly dramatic or judgmental.

Common error

Avoid using "rather notorious" when the subject is truly infamous or deserving of strong condemnation. The 'rather' softens the impact and might be inappropriate in serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather notorious" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that the noun is known for something negative or undesirable. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. This is evidenced by its occurrence in various examples across different sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather notorious" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase that indicates something or someone is known for negative reasons. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's suitable for neutral contexts, softening the impact of "notorious" with the use of "rather". While alternatives like "quite infamous" or "somewhat disreputable" exist, the specific choice depends on the desired level of emphasis and nuance. Remember to avoid using "rather notorious" in situations that require strong condemnation, as it might understate the seriousness of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonably ill-famed

Mirrors the structure of the original phrase using "ill-famed" as a direct synonym of "notorious".

quite infamous

Emphasizes the negative reputation more strongly than "rather notorious".

somewhat disreputable

Suggests a degree of dishonor or lack of integrity, focusing on character rather than widespread knowledge.

not entirely reputable

Understates the negative aspect, implying a partial lack of good reputation.

slightly scandalous

Implies behavior that is morally offensive or causing public outrage, a specific type of notoriety.

fairly tarnished

Uses "tarnished" to imply damage to reputation or image.

pretty well-known for the wrong reasons

Expands on the negative aspect by explicitly stating the reasons for being known are undesirable.

moderately disgraceful

Focuses on the shame or dishonor associated with the subject.

a bit unsavory

Suggests that something is unpleasant or morally offensive, usually in a subtle way.

kind of shady

Informal term suggesting dishonesty or questionable behavior, implying secrecy.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather notorious" to describe someone or something that has a bad reputation. For instance, "The restaurant is "rather notorious" for its poor hygiene standards".

What are some alternatives to "rather notorious"?

Alternatives include "quite infamous", "somewhat disreputable", or "slightly scandalous", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "rather notorious" a formal or informal expression?

"Rather notorious" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider your audience and choose a more precise term if necessary.

What is the difference between "rather notorious" and "infamous"?

"Infamous" implies a stronger degree of negative notoriety than ""rather notorious"". The use of "rather" softens the impact, suggesting a milder level of disrepute.