to be rather than to seem to be Update Leaves People Surprised - Away State Journal
We use rather as a degree adverb (rather cold, rather nice). We also use it to express alternatives and preferences (green rather than blue, coffee rather than tea, slowly rather than quickly). …
Both would and had are used with rather in sentences such as I would rather (or had rather) go to the film than to the play. Had rather is less common and is now widely regarded as slightly old-fashioned
How to use 'rather', 'rather than' and 'would rather' in English. It is often difficult for learners of English to know when to use 'rather', 'rather than' or 'would rather'. The explanation below should help clarify things.
Rather, Rather than, Would Rather: how and when to use them.| Learn ...
Use rather to specify a preference for one thing over another. Wouldn't you rather go to the movies than stay home and clean the house? Rather can also be used to mean "on the contrary," or to introduce a contradiction.
The meaning of RATHER is with better reason or more propriety : more properly. How to use rather in a sentence.
rather (third-person singular simple present rathers, present participle rathering, simple past and past participle rathered) (nonstandard or dialectal) To prefer; to prefer to.
You use rather before verbs that introduce your thoughts and feelings, in order to express your opinion politely, especially when a different opinion has been expressed.
