RATHER: Adverb of degree (rather good, etc)

1 - Meaning

Rather can be used as an adverb of degree. The meaning is similiar to quite or feirly, but more emphatic.

Note 1: This use of Rather is less common in American English.

examples of rather in use:
a) The film was rather good. d) Some people rather like being humble.
b) It's rather later than I thought. e) I rather think we're going to lose.

Note 2: Please, pay attention that Rather often suggests something like: "more than was expected", "more than is wantend, and similar ideas. Check it out bellow!

examples:
a) How was the film? Oh, the film was rather good - (I was surprised).
b) She is playing volleyball rather well - (people often think she is a professional player).
c) It is rather warm in here. Let's open a window - (It is really warm).

2 - word order with articles
Rather generally comes before articles, but can also come after a / an if there is an adjective.

examples:
a) That's rather the impression I want to give to all of them. (before)
b) Don't trust him! He's rather a fool. (before)
c) I've gotten rather a good idea (After) --- or, I've gotten a rather good idea. (both are ok)

Note 3.
Remember, that rather is not mormally used before a plural noun with no adjective.

Not: they are rather fools (Incorrect)

RATHER - Preference

1- Rather than

This expression is normally used in parallel structures: for example with two adjectives, adverbs, nouns, infinitives or -ing forms.

Examples:
a) I would call her hair chestnut rather than brown.
b) I would prefer to go in April rather than in July.
c) I prefer starting early rather than leaving things to yhe last minute.

Note:
When the main clause has a to-infinitive, 'rather than' is usually followed by an infinitive without to or an -ing form. Check it out!

a) I decided to work rather than hang out / hanging out.
b) Rather than use / using the last of my cash, I decided to write a cheque.

2 - Would Rather

note that this expression means something like: 'would prefer to' and because of this is followed by the infinitive without to.

a) Hey! Emilio, would you rather stay here or go somewhere else.
b) Victoria, how about a drink? Thanks! but I'd rather have something to eat.

Note 2:
pay very attention at the negative form of these expressions is Would rather not and not like most beginner students think it is: would not rather (wrong)

example:
a) I'd rather not go out tonight (correct)

Note 3:

It is very common students confusing would rather with would rather like. Avoid doing this mistakes by differentiating their meaning; the erlier means, as we have mentioned before, would prefer to and the latter means something very much like what: quite or perhaps very as intensifiers.

example:
a) I'd rahter like a cup of coffee = I'd quite like....

3 - Would rather: past tense with present or future meaning

We can use would rather to say that a person would prefer somebody to do something. We use a special structure with a past tense.

would rather + subject + past tense

Example:

a) I'd rather you went home now.
b) Marcio would rather his students didn't travel so much during the weekends.

Note 4 -
A present tense subjunctive is also possible, but unusual.
a) I'd rather he goes / he go home now.

Note 5:
To talk about past actions , a past perfect tense is possible either, for example:

a) I'd rather you hadn't done that.

Note 6:
However, this kind of idea is expressed with wish, compare it.

a) I wish you hadn't done that.

4 - ...or rather

note that people often use or rather to correct themselves.

example:
a) I'm scientist - or rather, a teacher.

Note 7 . Don't use or better. This type of mistake is very common amog beginers.