they are rather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are rather" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express that something is more than expected or in a stronger degree. It can also be used to mean "somewhat" or "fairly." Example: They are rather late to the meeting. (expressing that they are more late than expected) Example: The food at that restaurant is rather expensive. (meaning "somewhat" expensive).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They are rather frightening.

The New Yorker

But they are rather mild.

The New Yorker

They are rather dull.

The Guardian - Books

They are, rather, mutually owned members' clubs.

The Economist

Nowadays, however, they are rather profitable.

The Economist

"They are rather different," he acknowledged.

The New York Times

"They are rather good, actually.

The Guardian - Sport

But they are rather impersonal.

The New York Times

In this they are rather like Oscar Pistorius.

Independent

I think they are rather shocked.

The Guardian

They are rather cheap and disposable looking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are rather" to express a degree of something that is more than expected, or to soften a statement while still conveying a clear message. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "they are rather" is versatile, be mindful of overusing it in very casual conversations. Sometimes, simpler alternatives like "they're pretty" or "they're quite" can sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are rather" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective or verb. It qualifies the degree to which something possesses a particular quality. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and widespread appearance across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are rather" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in the English language. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to qualify a statement, often implying a level that's more than anticipated or acting as an understated observation. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral to slightly formal register. While versatile, consider more casual alternatives in informal settings. Remember to use "they are rather" rather than the ungrammatical "they're rather".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are quite

Replaces "rather" with "quite", implying a slightly lesser degree of emphasis.

they are somewhat

Substitutes "rather" with "somewhat", indicating a milder intensity or degree.

they are fairly

Uses "fairly" instead of "rather", suggesting a moderate level or extent.

they are relatively

Replaces "rather" with "relatively", emphasizing a comparison to something else.

they are pretty

Employs "pretty" in place of "rather", conveying a more informal and subjective assessment.

they are indeed

Substitutes "rather" with "indeed", lending a sense of affirmation or confirmation.

they are actually

Uses "actually" instead of "rather", introducing an element of surprise or unexpectedness.

they are, in fact

Replaces "rather" with "in fact", emphasizing the truth or reality of a statement.

they are certainly

Substitutes "rather" with "certainly", indicating a high degree of confidence or assurance.

they are definitely

Uses "definitely" instead of "rather", suggesting a clear and unambiguous assessment.

FAQs

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

The phrase "they are rather" is used to express that something possesses a quality to a noticeable degree. For example, "They are rather expensive" indicates that something is more expensive than expected.

What's a more informal alternative to "they are rather"?

In informal contexts, you can use alternatives like "they are pretty", "they are quite", or "they are somewhat". The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is "they're rather" grammatically correct?

While "they're" is a contraction of "they are", using "they're rather" is not standard English. It's better to use the full form "they are rather".

What is the difference between "they are rather" and "they are very"?

"They are very" generally indicates a higher degree of something than "they are rather". "They are very expensive" suggests a significantly higher price compared to "They are rather expensive".