rather serious

USAGE SUMMARY

"rather serious" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate a level of seriousness that is significant but not extreme. An example: "The situation is rather serious and requires immediate attention." Alternative expressions include "quite serious" and "fairly serious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whatever that means, it sounds rather serious to the Miser.

The New York Times

"That's a downside that seems rather serious," Dr. Gittleman said.

The New York Times - Science

Lydia, you catch me in a rather serious mood.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With me, she has always been rather serious and subdued.

The New Yorker

But oddly, the party has seemed rather serious and sad over the weekend, rather than jubilant.

Independent

It is, as you might already have inferred, all rather serious.

The Guardian - Arts

Still, it earned Gould the rather serious attention of Ezra Pound, in Italy.

The New Yorker

Looking back I can see that we tended to be rather serious.

The Guardian

Parliament has a rather serious ability to question ministers, question policy, even impose impeachment of ministers.

The New Yorker

Almost all the men look rather serious and all the girls rather matronly.

The New York Times

She is very serious about her work - in fact, she is a rather serious person altogether.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather serious" to describe situations that warrant attention but aren't necessarily life-threatening. It's a good middle ground between mild concern and extreme alarm.

Common error

Avoid using "rather serious" when the situation is clearly minor or insignificant. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather serious" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a significant level of importance or concern. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather serious" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a significant level of concern or importance. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across various sources, particularly in news and media. While not overly formal, it's versatile enough for most contexts. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the actual gravity of the situation to avoid exaggeration. If you are looking for similar phrases you can consider "quite grave" or "fairly critical".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite grave

Emphasizes a deeper level of concern and potential danger, suggesting a more severe situation.

fairly critical

Suggests that the situation requires immediate attention and could have significant negative consequences if not addressed.

somewhat alarming

Highlights the potential for causing worry or fear, indicating a cause for concern.

moderately critical

Indicates a significant degree of urgency or importance, but without the intensity of "extremely critical".

reasonably significant

Implies that the issue holds notable importance or consequence, enough to warrant attention.

comparatively important

Highlights the importance relative to other factors or considerations.

relatively crucial

Suggests that the matter plays a vital role, but its impact is not as pronounced as when describing something "absolutely crucial".

slightly alarming

Indicates a minor cause for concern that might not demand immediate action but is worthy of attention.

kind of weighty

Implies the issue has significant implications or consequences, making it a substantial matter to consider.

pretty consequential

Emphasizes the ensuing effects or outcomes of the issue.

FAQs

What does "rather serious" mean?

The phrase "rather serious" indicates that something is quite important or concerning, but not necessarily critical or life-threatening. It signifies a level of gravity that warrants attention.

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

You can use "rather serious" to describe a situation, problem, or condition. For example: "The budget deficit has become a "rather serious" issue."

What are some alternatives to "rather serious"?

Alternatives include "quite grave", "fairly critical", or "somewhat alarming", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "rather serious" formal or informal?

"Rather serious" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal writing might benefit from synonyms with a more elevated register.