rather taller than

USAGE SUMMARY

"rather taller than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence when you are comparing two things that have a height and one is taller than the other. For example, "My friend is rather taller than me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

(He normally dances with Xiomara Reyes, who truly is a demi-caractère dancer and, on point, is rather taller than he is).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

To its credit, the bill places some limits on scaffolding ads, preventing them from becoming Christo-esque: each one could not be taller than a (rather tall) eight feet and must also comply with minimal rather than minimalist "design guidelines".

The New York Times

Most people would probably rather be tall than short.

Science Magazine

Much of this advice applies to other anoles (of which there are about 300 species and sub species), although the brown anole prefers a more terrestrial habitat than the green anole (thus, give it a wider rather than taller container).

WikiHow

First, skip the seed stage and head to your local garden centre, buying healthy small plants rather than taller ones.

Independent

As more and more Americans turn to a fast-food diet, its effects may be creeping up the social ladder, so that even the wealthy are growing wider rather than taller.

The New Yorker

A wide belt will define your figure, but the heavy horizontal line will also divide you in half and cause you too look shorter, rather than taller.

WikiHow

If you do decide to eat more don't eat too much as you could become ill or overweight rather than taller.

WikiHow

The buildings themselves adhered to classical orders, were solidly constructed and broad rather than tall.

The Guardian

Matthias is pretty athletically built, but slim rather than tall, so he gained like 60 pounds for this part.

The New York Times

It is squat and an ugly green color rather than tall and thin like the LetraTag, which comes in three iMac-style colors.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather taller than" to subtly emphasize that one item or person is noticeably taller, but not overwhelmingly so. It adds a layer of nuance compared to simply saying 'taller'.

Common error

Avoid using "rather taller than" when the height difference is very significant. A phrase like "much taller than" or "significantly taller than" would be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather taller than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun by indicating that the subject is taller to a noticeable, yet not extreme, degree when compared to something or someone else. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather taller than" is a grammatically correct comparative phrase used to indicate that something or someone is noticeably but not excessively taller. As Ludwig's analysis shows, its use spans across neutral contexts, including news, general writing and scientific writing. While only a few examples are available, the phrase finds its place in offering a nuanced description of height differences. When choosing alternatives, consider the degree of emphasis you wish to convey, opting for phrases like "considerably taller" for more significant differences or "slightly taller" for minor ones. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is correct, although rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly taller than

Highlights a major difference in height.

distinctly taller than

Focuses on the clarity and unambiguous nature of the height difference.

substantially taller than

Implies a considerable height difference.

considerably taller than

Emphasizes a more significant difference in height.

markedly taller than

Emphasizes a clear and evident height difference.

appreciably taller than

Suggests that the height difference is substantial and worth noting.

noticeably taller than

Highlights that the height difference is easily observed.

a good bit taller than

An informal way of saying significantly taller.

somewhat taller than

Indicates a slight difference in height.

slightly taller than

Indicates a minor difference in height.

FAQs

How do I use "rather taller than" in a sentence?

Use "rather taller than" when comparing the heights of two subjects where one is noticeably, but not dramatically, taller. For example, "He is "rather taller than" his brother."

What's the difference between "rather taller than" and "slightly taller than"?

"Rather taller than" suggests a more evident difference in height compared to "slightly taller than", which indicates a minimal height difference.

Are there more formal alternatives to "rather taller than"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "considerably taller than" or "significantly taller than", which convey a more substantial height difference in a professional or academic setting.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "rather taller than"?

Avoid using "rather taller than" when describing a very small difference in height or when the height difference is extremely significant. In these cases, "slightly taller than" or "much taller than" would be more accurate respectively.