rather unsatisfactory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather unsatisfactory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a level of dissatisfaction or disappointment with something, indicating that it does not meet expectations. Example: "The results of the experiment were rather unsatisfactory, leading us to reconsider our approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

It was, as you'd imagine, rather unsatisfactory.

Independent

A rather unsatisfactory ending, the therapist opined, and suggested that the man could do better.

The New Yorker

Historically, biopsy protocols have been designed but have provided rather unsatisfactory results.

Urology

Think of William Golding, who wrote Lord of the Flies as a grumpy and rather unsatisfactory teacher at a boys' school.

The Guardian - Opinion

After the war she achieves success as a writer, has affairs and a rather unsatisfactory daughter, but never regains what she knew and has lost.

The Guardian - Books

Apart from the two works here, only the psalm setting Tehillim and the rather unsatisfactory Variations from 1979 demand a full complement of woodwind, strings and brass.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

It is rather a flat, unsatisfactory ending.

The Guardian - Film

A magnetic force, Kepler argued, emanated from the Sun and pushed the planets around in their orbits, but he was never able to quantify this rather vague and unsatisfactory idea.

Britannica

A doughty campaigner in this field is Jeff Rubens, editor of The Bridge World magazine, who long ago suggested using "strain" rather than the unsatisfactory "denomination" to indicate no-trump, spades, hearts, diamonds or clubs.

The New York Times - Arts

The central equation of Marx's analysis is the ratio of surplus value over the subsistence wage portion of value produced, to which latter Marx assigns the rather vague and unsatisfactory label of "variable capital," or "v": hence, s/v.

Journal of Chinese Studies

AKI prevention and therapy has as of yet been rather unsuccessful and unsatisfactory.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather unsatisfactory" when you want to express a moderate level of dissatisfaction, without being overly harsh or critical. It's suitable for situations where something isn't terrible, but clearly doesn't meet expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "rather unsatisfactory" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "quite disappointing" or "somewhat inadequate" to keep your writing engaging and prevent it from sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather unsatisfactory" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, expressing a nuanced assessment of something that falls short of expectations. As supported by Ludwig, it indicates a moderate level of disappointment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather unsatisfactory" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase that expresses a moderate level of disappointment or inadequacy. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While the phrase appears in diverse contexts, it is most frequent in scientific and news media sources, suggesting a nuanced level of critical assessment. When writing, it's best practice to use this phrase when something doesn't quite meet expectations but isn't a complete failure. Be mindful of overuse, and vary your language by using alternatives such as "quite disappointing" or "somewhat inadequate" to maintain writing that’s both engaging and precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not entirely satisfactory

Suggests that there are some positive aspects, but overall, it is still unsatisfactory.

quite disappointing

Implies a level of disappointment, but may not be as strong as "rather unsatisfactory".

somewhat inadequate

Suggests a deficiency or lack of suitability, similar to being unsatisfactory.

fairly unfulfilling

Focuses on the lack of satisfaction or fulfillment derived from something.

a bit subpar

Indicates that something is below the expected standard or quality.

not up to par

Similar to "a bit subpar", implying a failure to meet the required standard.

slightly deficient

Emphasizes the presence of a defect or shortcoming.

less than ideal

Indicates that the situation or outcome is not the best possible.

somewhat frustrating

Highlights the annoyance or irritation caused by the unsatisfactory nature of something.

rather underwhelming

Suggests a lack of excitement or impressiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather unsatisfactory" to describe a result, performance, or situation that doesn't quite meet expectations. For example, "The outcome of the meeting was "rather unsatisfactory", as we didn't reach a consensus."

What's a less formal alternative to "rather unsatisfactory"?

If you're aiming for a less formal tone, consider using phrases like "a bit disappointing" or "not great". These options are more casual and suitable for everyday conversation.

Is "rather unsatisfactory" the same as "very unsatisfactory"?

No, "rather unsatisfactory" implies a moderate level of dissatisfaction, while "very unsatisfactory" expresses a much stronger feeling of disappointment. The word "rather" softens the criticism.

What's the difference between "unsatisfactory" and "rather unsatisfactory"?

"Unsatisfactory" on its own means something fails to meet requirements or expectations. Adding "rather" makes it less direct, implying a nuanced level of dissatisfaction that isn't extreme, but still notable. You could say it's "not entirely satisfactory".