rather sensitive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather sensitive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is easily affected by emotions or reactions, or to indicate a delicate subject matter. Example: "The topic of mental health can be rather sensitive for some individuals, so it's important to approach it with care."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I know that cat lovers...can be rather sensitive.

The New Yorker

Do not ask endless, pointless questions on this rather sensitive subject.

The Guardian

The dimensionless drawdown is rather sensitive to aquitard's hydraulic conductivity at late time.

Journal of Hydrology

Insufficient confinement could lead to degrade hysteretic behaviour in a rather sensitive manner.

Engineering Structures

Second, diffusion measurements are rather sensitive to the details of the experimental conditions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But 95% of the parts you actually see are different, according to a rather sensitive Renault.

Independent

The fatigue damage is also found to be rather sensitive to the wind grid size for generating the wind fields.

Engineering Structures

The charge ratio of atmospheric muons is rather sensitive to effects of the geomagnetic field and to the hadronic interaction.

Nuclear Physics A

Our computational model further suggests that the distribution of population coupling in a cortical network is rather sensitive to the input that network receives from external sources.

Nature

The drift capacity of walls failing in shear is, however, rather sensitive to the loading history while the drift capacity of walls failing in flexure is not.

Engineering Structures

It is shown that CO provides a rather sensitive means for identification of the mechanism of poisoning, and TIR gives a severe test of such interpretation.

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a topic as "rather sensitive", consider your audience and adjust your language to avoid causing offense or misunderstanding. Provide context to explain why the topic is sensitive.

Common error

Avoid using "rather sensitive" as a generic descriptor without explaining why something is sensitive. Instead, provide specific reasons to give your statement more weight and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather sensitive" primarily functions as an adjective phrase used to modify nouns, indicating a moderate degree of sensitivity. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in varied contexts from emotional states to technical measurements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rather sensitive" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that is moderately susceptible or requires careful consideration. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase sees extensive use across varied contexts, particularly in scientific and news domains. It serves to temper statements, acknowledging potential vulnerabilities without overstating them. When using "rather sensitive", it is best practice to provide adequate context to prevent misinterpretation and to ensure clarity. Consider alternatives such as "comparatively sensitive" or "quite sensitive" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comparatively sensitive

Expresses a sensitivity that is evaluated in relation to something else, indicating a relative comparison.

quite sensitive

Indicates a slightly higher degree of sensitivity compared to "rather sensitive".

relatively sensitive

Similar to "comparatively sensitive", suggesting sensitivity is being assessed against a benchmark.

somewhat sensitive

Indicates a lesser degree of sensitivity; milder than "rather sensitive".

highly sensitive

Implies a more pronounced degree of sensitivity; stronger than "rather sensitive".

particularly sensitive

Highlights a specific instance or area of sensitivity.

excessively sensitive

Suggests the sensitivity is beyond normal or acceptable levels.

easily affected

Focuses on the susceptibility to influence or impact.

susceptible

Highlights vulnerability to particular influences or conditions.

impressionable

Suggests an openness and receptiveness to external influences, often in the context of personal development or beliefs.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather sensitive" to describe topics or individuals that require careful handling. For example, "The issue of employee benefits is "rather sensitive" during budget cuts."

What's the difference between "rather sensitive" and "very sensitive"?

"Rather sensitive" implies a moderate level of sensitivity, while "very sensitive" suggests a higher, more intense level of sensitivity. The choice depends on the degree of sensitivity you want to convey.

Are there situations where I should avoid using the phrase "rather sensitive"?

In formal or technical writing, consider more precise language. Instead of "rather sensitive", you might use "comparatively sensitive" or "relatively sensitive" for greater clarity.

What are some alternatives to "rather sensitive"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "quite sensitive", "somewhat sensitive", or phrases like "easily affected".