there are rather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there are rather" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a degree of something, often followed by an adjective or adverb to express a comparison or emphasis. Example: "There are rather significant differences between the two proposals that need to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ingredients there are rather particular; among them is achiote, also called annatto, a hard seed that imparts a delicious musky flavor and bright color to many marinades.

The New York Times - Food

In Easter Europe there are rather aggressive climate conditions (temperature fluctuations, humidity, precipitation, etc).. Besides, in winter concrete paving is treated with sodium, calcium, magnesium chloride salts that accelerate the deterioration of concrete paving block structure.

Construction and Building Materials

"Oh yes, we have to have rules - for the banter, for the craic". As for the route there are, rather like the 12 days of Christmas song itself, local variants and adaptations.

BBC

In Wigan's case there are rather more.

Independent

There are rather more displaced people than in 2006, little progress on education.

The Economist

There are rather too many works by academic painters in the name of artistic ecumenism.

The New York Times - Arts

In between, there are rather a lot of concrete apartment blocks, gifts from the eastern bloc.

The Guardian - Travel

In Wayne's world, particularly in big games, there are rather fewer than 50 shades of grey.

The Guardian - Sport

In fact, there are rather fewer murders and suicides in here than you might have expected.

The Guardian - Books

There are rather more Sporting KC's than Portland Timbers in the playoffs.

The Guardian - Sport

A few chapters later, there are rather important questions that narrator cannot answer.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there are rather" to introduce a measured or qualified statement. It softens the impact of the following adjective, making it less absolute. For example, "There are rather significant challenges ahead" sounds less daunting than "There are significant challenges ahead."

Common error

Avoid excessive use of "rather" in highly formal or scientific writing. While grammatically correct, overuse can sound affected. Consider stronger, more direct alternatives if clarity and conciseness are paramount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there are rather" typically functions as an existential quantifier followed by a degree adverb. It introduces the existence of something with a qualification regarding its quantity or quality. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

49%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there are rather" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that functions as an existential quantifier with a degree of moderation. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its frequent use across news media, scientific publications, and academic writing. It is considered a neutral expression, suitable for contexts requiring precision, but perhaps less fitting for extremely informal settings. While accurate, overusing the term in very formal or scientific writing could sound unnatural. Consider alternative phrases like "there are somewhat" or "there are quite" to adapt the tone to your specific context. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is considered accurate and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there are somewhat

Indicates a slightly lesser degree or intensity compared to "there are rather".

there are quite

Suggests a slightly more casual or informal tone compared to "there are rather".

there are fairly

Similar to "there are quite", but may imply a slightly smaller degree.

there are relatively

Emphasizes the comparison against a reference point, which "there are rather" doesn't necessarily do.

there are comparatively

Like "there are relatively", explicitly indicates a comparison.

there are moderately

Implies a medium degree or amount, which might be more specific than "there are rather".

there are noticeably

Highlights that something is easily observed or detected.

there are significantly

Indicates a greater degree or importance compared to "there are rather".

there are appreciably

Similar to "there are significantly", but potentially less forceful.

there are distinctly

Emphasizes the clear and obvious nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "there are rather" in a sentence?

Use "there are rather" to express a moderate degree of something, often followed by an adjective. For example, "There are rather few options available" indicates that the number of options is somewhat limited.

What are some alternatives to "there are rather"?

You can use alternatives like "there are somewhat", "there are quite", or "there are fairly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "there is rather" instead of "there are rather"?

No, "there is rather" is generally incorrect. Use "there is" with singular nouns and "there are" with plural nouns. "There are rather" should be followed by a plural noun. For singular cases consider rephrasing to use alternative constructs such as "it is rather".

What's the difference between "there are rather few" and "there are very few"?

"There are rather few" suggests a moderate scarcity, while "there are very few" emphasizes a strong scarcity. The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.