rather precarious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather precarious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is unstable, uncertain, or risky. Example: "The company's financial situation is rather precarious, and they may need to seek additional funding soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

But his domestic position is rather precarious.

The Guardian - Opinion

The subpoena puts Mr. Kinnucan in a rather precarious position.

The New York Times

I don't mean, necessarily, that they're acting, just that there is something rather precarious about their manner.

The Guardian - Arts

A staircase made from branches wraps around the outside of one house that leans at a rather precarious angle.

The Guardian - Travel

"I was in a rather precarious situation when this project was proposed to me," Mr. Ribes said by phone from Paris, referring to his post-prison finances.

The New York Times

From here you can head north along the cliff down to the beach, it's a well trodden path, though rather precarious as the sea edges closer every year.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

For black and Asian artists hoping to participate in modernist debates, the situation proved rather more precarious.

The Guardian - Opinion

Young people may have been as important in Portugal's election as they were in Poland's, although in this case it is lack of jobs rather than precarious jobs that is the main question.

The Guardian - Opinion

Add to that the threat posed to Google's income by Facebook's monopoly of social data and related advertising and the trend for "privatised" data inside mobile apps, and suddenly Google's mission to "index the world's data" seems rather more precarious.

The Guardian - Tech

Albeit, that position is looking rather more precarious now, if lawmakers are going to legislate that companies be required to go so far as be forced to rewrite their code to workaround their own security features — aka 'hello backdoors'.

TechCrunch

Being free to work for a pittance unless you work within narrow and shifting hours of peak demand doesn't sound quite so 'free' — and looks rather more precarious.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rather precarious", consider the specific nuance you want to convey – is it instability, risk, or uncertainty? Choose synonyms to fine-tune your meaning for greater precision.

Common error

Avoid using "rather precarious" when the situation is extremely dangerous or definitively failing. Opt for stronger terms like "critical", "dire", or "unsustainable" to accurately reflect the severity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather precarious" functions as an adverb-adjective combination used to modify a noun or noun phrase, describing its condition or state. It softens the adjective "precarious", indicating a degree of instability or risk that is noticeable but not necessarily extreme. Ludwig AI shows multiple examples of the phrase in use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

20%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather precarious" is a commonly used phrase to describe situations that are somewhat unstable, risky, or uncertain. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, consider the nuance you wish to convey and avoid overstating the degree of risk. Alternatives like "somewhat unstable" or "fairly risky" may provide greater precision. It's a versatile phrase for expressing cautious assessment without being overly alarmist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unstable

Indicates a slightly less intense level of instability than "rather precarious".

fairly risky

Focuses on the aspect of risk involved, with a similar level of intensity.

quite uncertain

Highlights the uncertainty aspect, suggesting a lack of predictability.

somewhat perilous

Emphasizes danger or hazard, slightly stronger than "rather precarious".

a bit dicey

An informal way of saying something is risky or uncertain.

moderately insecure

Highlights the lack of security or stability.

relatively vulnerable

Focuses on the susceptibility to harm or damage.

slightly hazardous

Similar to risky, but emphasizing potential danger.

a little shaky

Informal and suggests instability or unreliability.

kind of vulnerable

Informal and suggests a degree of weakness or susceptibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather precarious" to describe situations that are unstable, risky, or uncertain. For example, "The company's financial position is "rather precarious" after the recent market crash."

What are some alternatives to "rather precarious"?

Alternatives include "somewhat unstable", "fairly risky", or "quite uncertain", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "rather precarious" formal or informal?

"Rather precarious" is suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts. It is generally acceptable in news articles, academic papers, and professional communications.

What's the difference between "rather precarious" and "extremely dangerous"?

"Rather precarious" suggests a degree of instability or risk that isn't immediate or overwhelming. "Extremely dangerous", on the other hand, implies an imminent and significant threat.