Home of English Grammar

Free Guide (Updated for 2023)

  • Home
  • Download Lessons
  • Grammar Rules
  • Online Exercises
  • Online Tools
    • Grammar Checker
    • Word Counter
  • Guides
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Words / Rather as an adverb of degree

Rather as an adverb of degree

October 1, 2012 - pdf

Rather can be used as an adverb of degree. This use of rather is common in British English. As an adverb of degree, rather has a similar meaning to ‘quite’ or ‘fairly’. However, it is more emphatic.

In American English, rather is not normally used as an adverb of degree.

With adjectives and adverbs

When used with adjectives and adverbs, rather suggests ideas such as ‘more than was expected’ or ‘more than was usual’. Unlike too, which is also used to express similar ideas, rather does not have a negative meaning.

  • ‘How is your new job?’ ‘Rather good.’ (Here rather is used with an adjective.)
  • ‘She speaks English rather well – people often think that she is a native speaker.’ (Here rather is used with an adverb.)

With nouns

Rather can modify noun phrases. If there is no adjective with the noun, rather goes before articles. If there is an adjective, rather can go either before or after the article.

  • He is rather a criminal. (NOT He is a rather criminal.)
  • That was rather a good idea. OR That was a rather good idea.

We do not normally use rather to modify a plural noun used without an adjective.

Rather can also modify verbs.

  • She rather enjoys playing with her kids.
  • I rather think she is making a mistake.

With comparatives and too

Rather can be used to modify comparative adjectives and adverbs. It can also be used to modify too.

  • It was rather too much.
  • It was rather better than I expected.
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
1,190,399 
601,640 

Check Your Grammar

GrammarCheck.net - Try online
Hint → Bookmark GrammarCheck for future use.

Latest Exercises

  • Vocabulary Exercise March 17, 2023
  • Future Forms Quiz March 15, 2023
  • Conditionals Exercise March 14, 2023
  • Prepositions Quiz March 12, 2023
  • Mixed Grammar Exercise March 11, 2023
  • Prepositions Exercise March 10, 2023
  • Intermediate Level Grammar Exercise March 10, 2023
  • If vs. Unless vs. Without March 8, 2023
  • Conditional Clauses Exercise March 7, 2023

Topics

  • Adjectives
  • Adverbs
  • Business Writing
  • Commas
  • Conjunctions
  • Creative Writing
  • Difference
  • Essay Writing
  • Exercises
  • Learning
  • Lessons
  • Nouns
  • Prepositions
  • Pronouns
  • Proofreading
  • Punctuation
  • Quiz
  • Spelling
  • Style Guide
  • Teaching
  • Terms
  • Verbs
  • Words
  • Writing

Quiz

  • Can you correct these 14 basic grammar mistakes?
  • What kind of writer are you?

Copyright © 2023 · EnglishGrammar.org
Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Sitemap