rather

Used with would to say what you want more than another choice.

• I would rather walk.
• Would you rather have tea or coffee?
• He would rather not discuss it today.

How to use it: would rather + base verb (I would rather walk home.); would rather do A than do B (She would rather cook than order food.); would rather someone + past tense (I would rather you stayed here.)

Similar words: preferably

Common phrases: would rather go, would rather not, rather than walk, would rather stay

To a fairly large degree, often more than expected.

• It is rather cold.
• She looked rather tired after work.
• That turned out to be rather an expensive meal.

How to use it: rather + adjective/adverb (The train arrived rather late.); rather a/an + adjective + noun (It was rather a strange evening.)

Similar words: quite, fairly, somewhat

Common phrases: rather cold, rather difficult, rather a lot, rather expensive

Used with than to show that one thing happens or is chosen instead of another.

• Use oil rather than butter.
• She called rather than sending a message.
• Rather than wait, we went home.

How to use it: rather than + noun/-ing/base verb (We walked rather than taking a taxi.)

Similar words: instead

Common phrases: rather than something, rather than wait, rather than driving

Used after or to correct what you just said or make it more exact.

• It was red, or rather dark pink.
• We arrived yesterday, or rather early this morning.
• She smiled, or rather tried to smile.

How to use it: or rather + correction (He is my uncle, or rather my great-uncle.)

Similar words: more precisely, more accurately

Common phrases: or rather, or rather something

Used to introduce a statement that replaces or goes against a previous statement.

• He was not angry; rather, he was confused.
• The plan did not reduce costs; rather, it increased them.
• She did not ignore the problem; rather, she addressed it directly.

Similar words: instead, on the contrary

Common phrases: rather it is, rather we should

Used to show that you strongly agree or feel very positive about something.

• “Did you enjoy dinner?” “Rather!”
• “Would you like another game?” “Oh, rather!”
• “Was the concert good?” “Rather! I loved it.”

Similar words: certainly, absolutely, definitely

Opposites: no

Common phrases: oh rather, rather indeed