rather short

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather short" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not long in length, duration, or extent, often in a comparative sense. Example: "The meeting was rather short, lasting only thirty minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was uncommon, that's rather short.

Yale University

A historic but rather short experience then.

The Guardian

I gave them a rather short list.

The New York Times

Pentaphylacaceae have rather short filaments, and the embryos are curved.

Britannica

"On a number of elements he came up rather short".

The New York Times

The portraits are also in rather short supply.

The Guardian - Arts

A bit disappointed as it seems rather short.

The Guardian - Tech

Their season is rather short, but decidedly sweet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In rather short time, it made him a world champion.

The New Yorker

Right now, secularism seems rather short of both.

The Guardian - Opinion

And, as revolutions go, it is rather short on revolutionaries.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rather short" in academic writing, consider the context. While grammatically sound, more precise language might be preferable depending on the field and specific requirements of your work.

Common error

While "rather short" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid relying on it excessively in formal writing. Instead, diversify your vocabulary with synonyms like "concise", "brief", or "abbreviated" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather short" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective. It indicates a degree of intensity, suggesting that something possesses the quality of being 'short' to a noticeable extent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather short" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something of limited length or duration. As Ludwig AI's analysis indicates, its usage spans various contexts, from news articles to scientific papers, though it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science publications. While "rather short" maintains a neutral register, diversifying your vocabulary with synonyms such as "brief" or "concise" can enhance the sophistication of formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat brief

Replaces "rather" with "somewhat" and "short" with "brief", both suggesting a mild degree of shortness.

fairly brief

Similar to "somewhat brief", this option uses "fairly" to modify "brief", indicating a moderate level of shortness.

moderately brief

This is a more formal way of saying "rather short", using "moderately" to emphasize the degree of shortness.

quite concise

Substitutes "rather short" with a phrase emphasizing brevity and succinctness.

relatively concise

Uses "relatively" to highlight the shortness in comparison to something else and replaces short with concise.

a tad short

Replaces "rather" with the more informal "a tad", suggesting a slight shortness.

a bit brief

Uses "a bit" instead of "rather" for a more casual tone.

slightly abbreviated

Emphasizes the reduction in length, similar to short, but with a more formal tone. Replaces "rather" with "slightly".

somewhat curtailed

Implies that something has been cut short or reduced in duration. Replaces "rather" with "somewhat".

slightly diminished

Suggests a reduced extent or duration. Replaces "rather" with "slightly" and "short" with diminished.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather short" to describe something that is limited in length, duration, or extent. For example, "The presentation was "rather short", lasting only 15 minutes".

What are some alternatives to "rather short"?

Some alternatives to "rather short" include "somewhat brief", "quite concise", or "fairly brief", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "rather short" formal or informal?

"Rather short" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal situations, you might opt for a more precise or sophisticated synonym like "relatively concise".

When is it appropriate to use "rather short"?

It's appropriate to use "rather short" when you want to indicate that something is somewhat less than the expected or typical length. It implies a moderate degree of brevity, suitable for everyday conversation and many writing scenarios.