Rather | English Usage

Rather is an adverb of degree. Its meaning is similar to fairly and quite.

• She is rather tall.
• The interview was rather tough.

With adjectives and adverbs, rather suggests ‘more than is usual’ ‘more than was expected’ and similar ideas.

• I speak French rather well.
• It is rather warm in here. Let’s open the window.

Rather can modify comparatives and too.

• It is rather later than I thought.
• He talks rather too much.

With nouns

Rather can modify noun phrases, with or without adjectives. It generally comes before articles, but can also come after a/an if there is an adjective.

• He is rather a fool. (NOT He is a rather fool.)
• It was a rather good idea. (OR It was rather a good idea.)
• She is rather a successful actor. (OR She is a rather successful actor.)

Rather is not normally used before a plural noun with no adjective.

With verbs

Rather can modify verbs.

• She rather enjoys doing nothing.
• I rather think we are going to lose.