still rather

USAGE SUMMARY

"still rather" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is generally used within context to contrast a current situation with a previous one, or to express a degree of something being more than it was before. For example: "Although the economy has recovered slightly, unemployment is still rather high."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Photography is still rather marginal.

The New Yorker

"I'm still rather amazed.

The Guardian - Sport

"But it's still rather confusing".

The New York Times

I'd still rather have the family conversation.

The New York Times

"It is still rather early," he said.

The Guardian

"I'd still rather be working," she said.

The New York Times

I'd still rather have him winning slams.

The Guardian - Sport

And yet, it's still rather boring.

The Guardian - Film

But she'd still rather be home".

The New York Times - Travel

But he'd still rather play professional basketball.

The New York Times

I'm still rather shocked at myself.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "still rather" to indicate that a situation has changed from a previous state, but not entirely. It suggests a partial shift or a degree of continuation. For example: "The problem is still rather complex, despite our efforts to simplify it."

Common error

While acceptable, overuse of "still rather" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "nevertheless" or "yet", especially in formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "still rather" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically used to qualify adjectives or adverbs. According to Ludwig, it is a perfectly acceptable phrase in English. For example, "It is still rather early" indicates a degree of earliness that persists.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "still rather" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating a continuing state with a degree of moderation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register. Alternatives like "still quite" or "nevertheless" can provide variety. Avoid overuse in overly formal writing. "Still rather" serves as a versatile tool for expressing nuanced continuity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still quite

Substitutes "rather" with "quite", offering a nearly identical nuance.

still fairly

Replaces "rather" with "fairly", indicating a moderate degree.

somewhat still

Reorders the words, slightly altering the emphasis but maintaining a similar meaning.

nevertheless

Offers a concise alternative indicating a contrast or concession.

even so

Provides a similar sense of concession or continuation despite a preceding statement.

yet

A shorter way to express a continuing state or condition.

despite that

Highlights a contrast while acknowledging a previous point.

in spite of that

Similar to "despite that", emphasizing a contrast.

however

A common transitional word indicating a shift in thought.

at the same time

Indicates simultaneous existence or occurrence.

FAQs

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

Use "still rather" to show that something remains true to a certain extent, even if there have been changes. For instance, "Even with the new updates, the software is "still rather" complicated to use".

What are some alternatives to "still rather"?

You can use alternatives like "still quite", "somewhat still", or "nevertheless" depending on the context. Each conveys a slightly different nuance.

Is it appropriate to use "still rather" in formal writing?

Yes, "still rather" is appropriate, but consider using more formal alternatives like "however" or "in spite of that" for a more sophisticated tone.

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

"Still rather" implies a moderate degree, while "still very" indicates a higher degree. For example, "The task is "still rather" difficult" suggests it's somewhat challenging, whereas "The task is still very difficult" emphasizes a greater level of challenge.