Rather: A Versatile Word for Expressing Degree, Contrast, and Opinion
What Does Rather Mean and How to Use It in Writing
H2: Definition and Examples of Rather Definition and Examples of Rather
H3: Rather as a Degree Adverb Rather as a Degree Adverb
- Meaning: quite; to a slight degree Rather is used as a degree adverb to give emphasis to an adjective or adverb. It has a similar meaning to quite when quite is used with gradable words. It is more formal than quite. We often use it to express something unexpected or surprising.
rather
- Examples: It's rather cold today, isn't it?
That's rather a difficult book - here's an easier one for you.
The train was rather too crowded for a comfortable journey.
She answered the phone rather sleepily.
I rather doubt I'll be able to come to your party.
H3: Rather with Adjective + Noun Rather with Adjective + Noun
- Meaning: very; to a large degree Rather is also used with adjective + noun to express a high degree of something. It is more common in formal language than in informal language, particularly in writing. - Examples: Actually, I did rather well in my exams.
I've got rather a lot of work to do at the moment.
It was rather a surprise to find them in the house before me.
Honesty seems to be rather at a discount.
H3: Rather + Verb Rather + Verb
- Meaning: more readily or willingly; preferably Rather is used with verbs to express preference or willingness. We use it most commonly with verbs such as enjoy, hope, like, prefer, etc. - Examples: I was rather hoping you'd forgotten about that.
He rather liked the idea of a well-paid job in Japan.
I'd rather not go out this evening.
I'd rather read than watch television.
H2: Rather Than: Alternatives Rather as a Modifier
Rather is used as a modifier to give emphasis or intensity to an adjective, adverb, or noun. It can have different meanings depending on the context and the word it modifies. It can also be used to express contrast, surprise, or preference.
I would rather be reading
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How to use rather than in a sentence
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Rather be fishing shower curtain
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Rather be dead than cool
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I'd rather be rich than famous
Rather be the devil ian rankin
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Rather be hated for who i am
I'd rather be a hammer than a nail
Rather be in love with you
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Rather be a comma than a full stop
I'd rather be a sparrow than a snail
Rather be at the beach sign
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Rather be with you than alone
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Rather be a rebel than a slave
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Rather be feared or loved
I'd rather be with you bootsy collins
Rather be in bed mug
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Rather be wrong than lonely
I'd rather be writing anne lamott
Rather be a bird than a fish
Would you rather questions for work
Rather be with my dog shirt
I'd rather be hated for telling the truth
Rather be in love or right
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Rather be the one who smiles than the one who didn't smile back
I'd rather be a forest than a street
Rather be cooking apron
Would you rather questions for family
Rather be tired than broke hoodie
I'd rather be an old man's sweetheart than a young man's fool
Rather be single than unhappy quotes
Would you rather questions for boyfriend
Rather be first in a village than second at rome
I would rather be reading
Would you rather questions for kids
Rather be with you lyrics
How to use rather than in a sentence
Rather be clean bandit chords
I'd rather go blind etta james
Rather be fishing shower curtain
Would you rather game online
Rather be the hunter than the prey
I'd rather be me mean girls
Rather be dead than cool
Would you rather questions for couples
Rather be shopping coupon codes
I'd rather be rich than famous
Rather be the devil ian rankin
Would you rather questions dirty
Rather be hated for who i am
I'd rather be a hammer than a nail
Rather be in love with you
Would you rather questions funny
Rather be a comma than a full stop
I'd rather be a sparrow than a snail
Rather be at the beach sign
Would you rather questions for teens
Rather be with you than alone
I'd rather be high david bowie
Rather be a rebel than a slave
Would you rather questions hard
Rather be feared or loved
I'd rather be with you bootsy collins
Rather be in bed mug
Would you rather questions for adults
Rather be wrong than lonely
I'd rather be writing anne lamott
Rather be a bird than a fish
Would you rather questions for work
Rather be with my dog shirt
I'd rather be hated for telling the truth
Rather be in love or right
Would you rather questions for kids pdf
Rather be the one who smiles than the one who didn't smile back
I'd rather be a forest than a street
Rather be cooking apron
Would you rather questions for family
Rather be tired than broke hoodie
I'd rather be an old man's sweetheart than a young man's fool
Rather be single than unhappy quotes
Would you rather questions for boyfriend
Rather be first in a village than second at rome.
Rather as a Degree Modifier
As a degree modifier, rather means 'quite' or 'to some extent'. It is used to show that something is more than usual, expected, or wanted. It is more formal than quite and often implies a negative or critical tone.
For example:
The movie was rather boring. (more boring than expected)
She was rather rude to me. (more rude than necessary)
I'm feeling rather tired today. (more tired than usual)
He's rather a clever boy. (more clever than average)
We can use rather with a/an and a noun to express a high degree of something. We can also use a rather before the adjective and the noun.
For example:
It was rather a long journey. (or It was a rather long journey.)
She has rather a big nose. (or She has a rather big nose.)
He gave me rather a strange look. (or He gave me a rather strange look.)
They had rather a good time. (or They had a rather good time.)
Rather as a Contrast Modifier
As a contrast modifier, rather means 'more precisely' or 'in fact'. It is used to correct or clarify something that was said before. It often follows a comma or a dash.
For example:
He said he was busy, or rather, he had other plans.
She is not my friend - rather, she is my enemy.
I don't like him. Rather, I hate him.
It's not a book, but rather a magazine.
Rather as a Preference Modifier
As a preference modifier, rather means 'more willingly' or 'preferably'. It is used to show that you like or want one thing more than another. It often follows would or had better.
For example:
I would rather stay home than go out.
She had better study rather than play games.
He would rather drink coffee than tea.
I had rather not talk about it.
Conclusion
Rather is a versatile word that can be used in different ways and contexts. It can be used as a degree adverb, a modifier, a conjunction, or a preposition. Depending on how you use it, it can express degree, contrast, preference, or alternative. Here are some key points to remember about using rather:
Rather as a degree adverb means 'quite' or 'to some extent'. It is more formal than quite and often implies something negative or surprising.
Rather as a modifier means 'more precisely', 'in fact', or 'more willingly'. It is used to correct, clarify, or show preference for something.
Rather than as a conjunction means 'instead of' or 'as opposed to'. It is used to compare two things and show preference for one over the other. It should be followed by the same verb form as the one before it.
Rather than as a preposition means 'instead of'. It is used to substitute one thing for another. It should be followed by a noun or a participle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between quite and rather?
Quite and rather are both degree adverbs that can mean 'to some extent'. However, quite is more neutral and positive, while rather is more formal and negative. For example:
The cake was quite delicious. (neutral)
The cake was rather dry. (negative)
How do you use would rather?
Would rather is used to express preference or willingness for something. It is followed by the base form of the verb without to. For example:
I would rather watch a movie than read a book.
She would rather not go to the party.
If you want to express preference for someone else's action, you can use would rather + subject + verb