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What (who) is rather - definition
WIKIMEDIA DISAMBIGUATION PAGE
Rather (disambiguation)
rather
adv.
1) rather + inf. + than (she would rather play tennis than watch TV)
2) (colloq.) rather + clause + than (I would rather you stayed home than go out in this blizzard; she would rather you did your homework than watched TV)
3) rather + inf. (she would rather not watch TV)
4)(colloq.) rather + clause (she would rather you didn't watch TV)
5) (misc.) I prefer to walk rather than to ride; I prefer walking rather than riding
rather
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
You use rather than when you are contrasting two things or situations. Rather than introduces the thing or situation that is not true or that you do not want.
The problem was psychological rather than physiological...
When I'm going out in the evening I use the bike if I can rather than the car.
PREP-PHRASE
•
Rather is also a conjunction.
She made students think for themselves, rather than telling them what to think...
CONJ
2.
You use rather when you are correcting something that you have just said, especially when you are describing a particular situation after saying what it is not.
He explained what the Crux is, or rather, what it was.
ADV: ADV with cl/group
3.
If you say that you would rather do something or you'd rather do it, you mean that you would prefer to do it. If you say that you would rather not do something, you mean that you do not want to do it.
If it's all the same to you, I'd rather work at home...
Kids would rather play than study...
I would rather Lionel took it on...
Sorry. I'd rather not talk about it...
Would you like that. Don't hesitate to say no if you'd rather not.
PHRASE: MODAL inf, MODAL inf than inf, MODAL that, MODAL not inf, MODAL not
4.
You use rather to indicate that something is true to a fairly great extent, especially when you are talking about something unpleasant or undesirable.
I grew up in rather unusual circumstances...
The first speaker began to talk, very fast and rather loudly...
I'm afraid it's rather a long story...
The reality is rather more complex...
The fruit is rather like a sweet chestnut...
ADV: ADV adj/adv, ADV a n, ADV compar, ADV too adj/adv, ADV prep
5.
You use rather before verbs that introduce your thoughts and feelings, in order to express your opinion politely, especially when a different opinion has been expressed.
I rather think he was telling the truth...
ADV: ADV before v [politeness]
Rather
·adj Prior; earlier; former.
II. Rather ·adj Earlier; sooner; before.
III. Rather ·adj More readily or willingly; preferably.
IV. Rather ·adj More properly; more correctly speaking.
V. Rather ·adj On the other hand; to the contrary of what was said or suggested; instead.
VI. Rather ·adj In some degree; somewhat; as, the day is rather warm; the house is rather damp.
VII. Rather ·adj Of two alternatives conceived of, this by preference to, or as more likely than, the other; somewhat.
Wikipedia
Rather
Examples of use of rather
1. I am rather inclined to believe her rather than him...
2. I intend with my life to extend what you have brought us,‘‘ he remembers. –– The issue is for each one of us during Lent to sharpen our awareness that rather than our enemy, rather than Saddam Hussein, rather than the Republicans, rather than the Democrats, rather than the fundis, rather than the liberals, it‘s not out there,‘‘ Forbes tells the congregation. NO NO NO!
3. I intend with my life to extend what you have brought us," he remembers. ___ "The issue is for each one of us during Lent to sharpen our awareness that rather than our enemy, rather than Saddam Hussein, rather than the Republicans, rather than the Democrats, rather than the fundis, rather than the liberals, it‘s not out there," Forbes tells the congregation.
4. "Our students tend to self–identify as rather conservative, rather Republican," Dr.
5. True, he would have needed rather better A–levels and a rather different sense of vocation.