rather strong

USAGE SUMMARY

"rather strong" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a strong or powerful quality or characteristic. Example: The arguments presented in the essay were rather strong and convinced many readers to change their opinions.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have rather strong views on both.

Britannica

(A rather strong use of the word "becomes" there, perhaps).

The Guardian - Books

It was found that the observations impose rather strong constraints on the source-level spectrum.

Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics

Philo Farnsworth's travails make a rather strong case for big corporations, not against them.

The New Yorker

The Canadian character, although slightly apologetic, is rather strong and brave.

The Guardian - Film

George recalled that "the internal resistance" at Synthélabo was "rather strong".

The New Yorker

"They have rather strong personalities, they are fully self-expressive," Ms. Legeron said.

The New York Times - Food

At the same time, rather strong solar proton event was found also in July 2000.

Advances in Space Research

With a kinetic fragility parameter of D* = 21.3, the alloy displays a rather strong liquid behavior.

Acta Materialia

President Obama has said Africa doesn't need strongmen, but rather strong institutions.

The New York Times

Federal support of university research has remained rather strong this year, and there is considerable goodwill in Congress.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather strong" to indicate a significant but not extreme level of strength or intensity. It's suitable when you want to moderate the description without diminishing its impact.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "rather" in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound less assertive. Consider stronger, more precise adjectives to convey the intended level of intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather strong" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, qualifying a noun by indicating a considerable degree of strength or intensity. Ludwig AI shows its use across diverse fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rather strong" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a significant degree of strength or intensity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently used in various contexts, including science, news, and formal communication. Its neutral register makes it versatile, though writers should be mindful of overusing it in highly formal settings. Alternatives like "quite powerful" or "considerably robust" can provide greater precision, depending on the intended nuance. Use "rather strong" when you want to express a level of strength that is notable without being extreme.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite powerful

Emphasizes the intensity of the strength.

considerably robust

Highlights resilience and sturdiness.

remarkably potent

Focuses on effectiveness and influence.

noticeably forceful

Draws attention to the evident strength.

distinctly sturdy

Emphasizes the clear and defined strength.

somewhat intense

Suggests a slightly elevated level of strength.

moderately vigorous

Highlights active strength or energy.

appreciably tough

Emphasizes durability and resistance.

fairly resilient

Focuses on the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.

reasonably firm

Highlights stability and lack of give.

FAQs

How to use "rather strong" in a sentence?

"Rather strong" is used to describe something that has a considerable degree of strength or intensity. For example, "The coffee had a "rather strong" aroma" or "She has a "rather strong" opinion on the matter".

What can I say instead of "rather strong"?

You can use alternatives like "quite powerful", "considerably robust", or "remarkably potent" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "very strong" or "rather strong"?

Both "very strong" and "rather strong" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Very strong" indicates a high degree of strength, while "rather strong" suggests a considerable but not necessarily extreme level of strength. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "somewhat strong" and "rather strong"?

"Somewhat strong" implies a moderate level of strength, while "rather strong" indicates a more significant degree of strength, closer to "quite strong" or "fairly strong". "Rather" suggests a more noticeable intensity than "somewhat".