rather

rather — 副詞

1. to a small or moderate extent, often used when expressing mild criticism, disapp

1.副詞B1
釋義

頗為；稍微

表示程度不高

to a small or moderate extent, often used when expressing mild criticism, disappointment, or surprise at the situation

例句

The film was rather boring, so Ari left the cinema before it ended.

那部電影頗為無聊，所以 Ari 還沒結束就離開電影院了。

rather + adjective for mild criticism

Élise felt rather tired after the long walk and sat down to rest.

Élise 走了很長一段路之後覺得稍微有點累，就坐下來休息。

同義詞
  • fairly

    more neutral; lacks the critical or surprised tone of 'rather'

  • quite

    similar range; stronger in British English, similar to 'rather' in American English

  • somewhat

    more formal and slightly weaker in intensity

  • pretty

    informal; common in everyday speech

反義詞
  • extremely

    suggests the highest degree, not moderate like 'rather'

  • completely

    total extent, opposite of partial

文法句型

rather + adjective/adverb

rather a + adjective + noun

用法筆記

Often expresses mild disappointment or criticism in British English, but is more neutral in American English. The pattern 'rather a + adjective + noun' ('rather a cold day') is more common in British than American usage.

常見錯誤

❌The coffee was rather good — it was the best I have ever tasted.
✅The coffee was rather good
💡better than I expected.' — 'rather' suggests a moderate degree, not the absolute highest level.

2. used to correct or refine a statement you just made by providing more precise or

2.副詞B2
釋義

更精確地說

修正或補充剛才的說法

used to correct or refine a statement you just made by providing more precise or accurate information

例句

James works as a consultant — or rather, he runs his own small firm.

James 的工作是顧問——或者更精確地說，他經營自己的小公司。

or rather correcting a previous statement

The project will finish in early June, or rather by the middle of July.

這個計畫會在六月初完成，或者更精確地說，到七月中。

同義詞
  • more precisely

    more formal; used in academic or technical writing

  • to be exact

    informal; often placed at the end of a sentence

  • that is

    used for clarification rather than correction

文法句型

or rather + corrected statement

用法筆記

Typically used as a parenthetical comment with 'or rather' inserted between the original claim and the correction. The correction narrows or adjusts the first statement rather than completely reversing it.

常見錯誤

❌I'll see you on Monday, or rather Tuesday if I'm late.
✅I'll see you on Monday
💡or rather Tuesday, if I'm free.' — 'or rather' introduces a more accurate version, not a conditional possibility.

3. used at the beginning of a clause to introduce a statement that directly opposes

3.副詞B2
釋義

相反地

提出相反的觀點

used at the beginning of a clause to introduce a statement that directly opposes or contrasts with what has just been said, especially after a negative claim

例句

The weather was not cold. Rather, it was unusually warm for December.

天氣並不冷。相反地，十二月裡異常溫暖。

Rather, at start of clause for contrast

The new rules did not reduce paperwork. Rather, they created more forms for everyone.

新規定並沒有減少文書工作。相反地，它們為每個人增加了更多表格。

Not X. Rather, Y — contrast structure

同義詞
  • on the contrary

    more formal; directly interchangeable with this sense of 'rather'

  • instead

    less contrastive; can suggest substitution rather than direct opposition

反義詞
  • similarly

    introduces a parallel idea, not an opposing one

文法句型

Rather, + contrasting statement

Not X. Rather, Y

用法筆記

Always follows a statement — usually a negative one — and introduces the opposite truth. Do not use 'rather' this way unless you are refuting a preceding idea. Distinct from sense 2 (MORE ACCURATELY), which refines rather than opposes.

常見錯誤

❌Rather, I also think we should leave early.
✅Rather, I think we should stay longer.
💡'Rather' at the start of a clause introduces an opposite view, not an additional similar point.

4. instead of; used when comparing two options and showing that one is preferred ov

4.副詞B1
釋義

而不是

表示選擇其一非另一

instead of; used when comparing two options and showing that one is preferred over the other

例句

Zayd decided to walk rather than take the bus to work this morning.

Zayd 決定走路去上班，而不是搭公車。

X rather than Y — preference structure

Rather than complain about the noise, Nia put on her headphones.

與其抱怨噪音，Nia 戴上了耳機。

Rather than + verb at start of sentence

同義詞
反義詞
  • as well as

    suggests adding rather than choosing between options

文法句型

rather than + noun/pronoun

rather than + bare infinitive

rather than + verb-ing

用法筆記

Can be followed by a noun ('tea rather than coffee'), a bare infinitive ('walk rather than take the bus'), or a gerund ('rather than staying indoors'). When 'rather than' begins a sentence, a gerund or bare infinitive follows.

常見錯誤

❌I chose tea rather than coffee instead of juice.
✅I chose tea rather than coffee.
💡Do not combine 'rather than' with 'instead of' in the same comparison; they serve the same function.

5. used together with 'would' when stating a choice between options, indicating whi

5.副詞A2
釋義

寧願

表示偏好

used together with 'would' when stating a choice between options, indicating which option you want more

例句

I would rather have tea than coffee on a cold morning.

在寒冷的早晨，我寧願喝茶而不是咖啡。

would rather + verb + than + verb

Nellie would rather stay home tonight than go to the crowded party.

Nellie 今晚寧願待在家裡，也不想去參加擁擠的派對。

同義詞
  • would prefer

    more formal; requires 'to' before the verb ('would prefer to stay')

  • prefer

    different grammar; 'prefer X to Y' or 'prefer to X rather than Y'

反義詞

文法句型

would rather + bare infinitive

would rather + bare infinitive + than + bare infinitive

would rather not + bare infinitive

用法筆記

Always followed by a bare infinitive (without 'to'). The contracted form 'd rather is very common in speech ('I'd rather', 'she'd rather'). For past preferences, use 'would rather have + past participle' ('I'd rather have stayed home').

常見錯誤

❌I would rather to stay home tonight.
✅I would rather stay home tonight.
💡Use the bare infinitive (without 'to') after 'would rather'.
❌I'd rather going by bus.
✅I'd rather go by bus.
💡'Would rather' takes a bare infinitive, not a gerund.

6. to a large or noticeable degree; used to emphasize that a quality, especially an

6.副詞B2
釋義

相當；非常

程度很高

to a large or noticeable degree; used to emphasize that a quality, especially an impressive or surprising one, is strong

例句

The final exam was rather difficult, and many students struggled with it.

期末考相當困難，許多學生都答得很掙扎。

rather + adjective as strong intensifier

Élise lived quite far from school — a rather long bus ride each morning.

Élise 住的地方離學校很遠——每天早上要搭相當長的一段公車。

同義詞
  • very

    neutral intensifier; stronger than this sense of 'rather' in some contexts

  • quite

    can overlap in meaning; in British English 'quite' can mean 'fairly' or 'very' depending on stress

  • remarkably

    more formal; adds a sense of surprise

  • pretty

    informal; very common in conversation

反義詞
  • slightly

    opposite degree; a small amount

  • barely

    opposite degree; hardly at all

文法句型

rather + adjective

rather + adverb

rather a + adjective + noun

用法筆記

Stronger than sense 1 (TO SOME DEGREE) — this sense conveys emphasis on the degree, not moderation. Context usually disambiguates: emotional adjectives ('impressive', 'shocking') tend to trigger this intense reading, while neutral adjectives ('cold', 'salty') are more likely sense 1.

常見錯誤

❌It was rather hot today, so I wore three coats.
✅It was rather hot today, so I wore only a T-shirt.
💡The adjective 'hot' already suggests warmth; the context should match the degree being described.

rather — 感嘆詞