rather slowly

USAGE SUMMARY

"rather slowly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain that something is occurring, but not at a very hurried pace. For example, "My car was moving rather slowly down the highway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's going rather slowly.

Independent

The electrons in these molecules ordinarily move rather slowly.

The New York Times - Tech

"You have to use it rather slowly so that it can renew itself.

The New York Times

In truth, he had fallen out with the Marcoses rather slowly.

The Economist

Cameron is a more conventional Conservative who has learnt his way rather slowly towards social liberalism.

Independent

It began rather slowly, but is now starting to grip both the Mississippi and its tributaries.

The Economist

Because of their complicated construction and consequent high cost, their use has grown rather slowly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The emancipation of the serfs undoubtedly helped capitalist development, though this began rather slowly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Facing the final 2km, the pair ran into the breeze, rather slowly.

The Guardian - Sport

He thought such a specialty could evolve rather slowly, as the executions started up.

The New York Times

"I felt we started rather slowly and Stuttgart were the better side in the early part.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rather slowly", consider the context to ensure the reader understands the implied comparison. For example, "The project progressed rather slowly" implies it was slower than anticipated.

Common error

While "rather slowly" is acceptable, excessive use in formal contexts can make your writing sound less precise. Consider stronger adverbs or rephrasing for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather slowly" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that something is happening at a pace that is somewhat slow but not extremely so. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather slowly" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe actions occurring at a somewhat slow pace. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows for use across various contexts, though overusing it in formal writing may diminish impact. While alternatives like "somewhat slowly" or "relatively slowly" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Its usage is prominent in news, science, and encyclopedic content, making it a valuable tool for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat slowly

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes a moderate degree of slowness.

relatively slowly

This alternative highlights slowness in comparison to something else.

fairly slowly

This alternative is similar in formality to "rather slowly" and indicates a moderate pace.

pretty slowly

This alternative is slightly more informal but carries a similar meaning.

moderately slowly

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the moderate degree of slowness.

at a leisurely pace

This alternative focuses on the relaxed and unhurried nature of the action.

at a snail's pace

This alternative emphasizes extreme slowness, often used for dramatic effect.

unhurriedly

This alternative is a single word adverb that emphasizes the lack of haste.

leisurely

Similar to unhurriedly, this emphasizes a relaxed and unforced pace.

gradually

This alternative emphasizes the slow and incremental nature of the process.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather slowly" to describe the pace of an action, such as "The development of the service has moved "rather slowly"" or "The position of Indians changed "rather slowly" in the postindependence era".

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

"Rather slowly" suggests a pace that is somewhat slow, whereas "very slowly" emphasizes a much slower pace. The choice depends on the degree of slowness you wish to convey.

What can I say instead of "rather slowly"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat slowly", "relatively slowly", or "fairly slowly", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "rather slowly"?

Yes, it is correct. "Rather slowly" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate a pace that is somewhat slow.