predeterminer
1
DUBIOUS : The bed was rather comfortable.
GOOD : The bed was quite comfortable.
DUBIOUS : The weather is rather good today.
GOOD : The weather is quite good today.
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When rather means 'to a small extent', it is usually used with words that express negative qualities: 'The bed was rather uncomfortable.' 'The lesson was rather boring.' 'He's always been rather lazy.'
When rather is used with words that express positive qualities, it makes the quality stronger: 'These cakes are rather nice! Try one!'
2
BAD : They rather violent films to romantic ones.
GOOD : They prefer violent films to romantic ones.
GOOD : They'd rather see violent films than romantic ones.
BAD : I rather take him to somewhere less crowded.
GOOD : I'd rather take him to somewhere less crowded.
GOOD : I prefer to take him to somewhere less crowded.
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When you mean 'prefer', use prefer/would rather / would prefer (NOT rather on its own): 'She says she'd rather speak to you herself about it.'
3
BAD : I'd rather prefer just to lie on the beach.
GOOD : I'd rather just lie on the beach.
GOOD : I'd prefer just to lie on the beach.
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Do not use rather and prefer together: 'If the weather's fine, we'd rather play tennis.'
4
BAD : I told her I would rather to go by train than to fly.
GOOD : I told her I would rather go by train than fly.
BAD : I would rather going abroad for my holidays.
GOOD : I would rather go abroad for my holidays.
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would rather do sth (NOT to do or doing ): 'They'd rather wait and see what happens.'