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rather(adverb)/ˈrɑːðə(r)/ /ˈræðər/- used to mean ‘fairly’ or ‘to some degree’, often when you are disappointed, surprised or expressing slight criticism
- rather odd/strange/unusual
- a rather large sum of money
- A rather small number of people turned up.
- They took a rather different approach.
- I thought it was a rather good idea.
- The instructions were rather complicated.
- She fell and hurt her leg rather badly.
- I didn't fail the exam; in fact I did rather well!
- It was a rather difficult question.
- It was rather a difficult question.
- He looks rather like his father.
- The patient has responded to the treatment rather better than expected.
- He was conscious that he was talking rather too much.
Extra Examples- I'm sorry, I've got rather a lot on my mind.
- Recently she'd been thinking about him rather too much.
- She looked rather well after her night in hospital.
- The rules are rather complicated.
- They'd had rather a lot to drink.
- used with a verb to make a statement sound less strong
- I've always rather liked Charlie.
- I rather suspect we're making a mistake.
- We were rather hoping you'd be able to do it by Friday.
- used to correct something you have said, or to give more accurate information
- She worked as a secretary, or rather, a personal assistant.
- In the end he had to walk—or rather run—to the office.
- used to introduce an idea that is different or opposite to the idea that you have stated previously
- The walls were not white, but rather a sort of dirty grey.
- The problem is not in the whole system, but rather in one small part.
- instead of somebody/something
- I think I'll have a cold drink rather than coffee.
- Why didn't you ask for help, rather than trying to do it on your own?
- used for saying that you would not like to do something that another person is going to do
- ‘I'm going climbing tomorrow.’ ‘Rather you than me!’
- would prefer to
- She'd rather die than give a speech.
- ‘Do you want to come with us?’ ‘No, I'd rather not.’
- Would you rather walk or take the bus?
- ‘Do you mind if I smoke?’ ‘Well, I'd rather you didn't.’
- Personally, I'd rather see the money and resources going into education.
- I'd rather have a simple product that actually works than something fancy that's just not reliable.
Word Origin- Old English hrathor ‘earlier, sooner’, comparative of hræthe ‘without delay’, from hræth ‘prompt’, of Germanic origin.
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