rather tedious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather tedious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is quite boring or monotonous, often in a context where the speaker wants to express mild annoyance or dissatisfaction. Example: "The lecture on tax regulations was rather tedious, and many students struggled to stay awake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Technology

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I think it all just got rather — tedious".

The New Yorker

His mommy issues are crippling, albeit rather tedious.

The New York Times

However, this way of identifying the right tipple turned out to be rather tedious.

The Economist

It's a question of finding the question, and after that it's rather tedious, disciplined work".

The New York Times

And how better to enliven a rather tedious task than with hostile competition with your workmates?

The Guardian - Money

That is rather tedious, but at least the bunnies don't look like horror movie rejects.

The New York Times - Tech

It was a rather tedious example of wacky artistic behavior for public consumption.

The New York Times - Arts

With Miller unable to give any detail, it was rather tedious.

The Guardian

If this all sounds rather tedious, you just might prefer to permanently delete your account.

The Guardian - Tech

The same rules apply, though the algebra required becomes rather tedious as the circuits increase in complexity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ms Noonan sometimes tries to be over-inventive (there is a rather tedious dream sequence about Hollywood fund-raisers).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather tedious" when you want to express a mild sense of boredom or monotony without being overly harsh. It's suitable for expressing subjective feelings about tasks, events, or experiences.

Common error

Avoid using "rather tedious" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or monotonous. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "somewhat dull" or "fairly monotonous" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather tedious" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "tedious". It describes the degree to which something is boring or monotonous. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rather tedious" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something as mildly boring or monotonous. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the adjective "tedious". It's versatile enough to be used across various contexts, including news, science, and the arts, and Ludwig shows a wide variety of examples from authoritative sources. If you're looking for alternatives, consider options like "somewhat dull" or "a bit boring" to keep your writing engaging. Be mindful of overusing the phrase to prevent repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat dull

Replaces "tedious" with a more general term for lacking interest.

slightly monotonous

Emphasizes the repetitive nature of the subject.

a bit boring

Uses a simpler and more direct term for lack of interest.

kind of unexciting

Focuses on the absence of excitement or stimulation.

fairly humdrum

Highlights the ordinariness and lack of variety.

moderately tiresome

Emphasizes the weariness induced by the subject.

mildly irritating

Suggests a slight level of annoyance.

somewhat lackluster

Highlights the lack of energy or enthusiasm.

rather uneventful

Stresses the absence of significant occurrences.

slightly uninteresting

Directly states the lack of interest.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather tedious" to describe tasks, events, or experiences that you find somewhat boring or monotonous. For example, "The lecture was "rather tedious", so I struggled to stay awake".

What are some alternatives to "rather tedious"?

Alternatives include "somewhat dull", "fairly monotonous", or "a bit boring". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "rather tedious" formal or informal?

"Rather tedious" is generally considered neutral in formality. It is appropriate for both casual and more formal writing, though more direct language may be preferred in highly formal contexts.

What makes something "rather tedious"?

Something is "rather tedious" when it lacks excitement, is repetitive, or requires a lot of effort without providing much stimulation. This makes the task or experience feel long and uninteresting.