0
Tenacious Learner Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Question on two synonyms
Hi teachers,
Could 'relatively' be a good synonym for 'rather' in the following sentence?
It's not rather late it's too late.
Could 'not having' be a good synonym for 'without' in the following sentence?
You can't arrive at work without a tie.
Thanks in advance.
Could 'relatively' be a good synonym for 'rather' in the following sentence?
It's not rather late it's too late.
Could 'not having' be a good synonym for 'without' in the following sentence?
You can't arrive at work without a tie.
Thanks in advance.
Top answer
Truth be told, I wouldn't use either "rather" or "relatively". If you want to emphasize that it is not just late, it is too late then you can say so. "Rather" is not a word of choice because it is used to "blur the boundaries" of the word it modifies.
- Truth be told, I wouldn't use either "rather" or "relatively".
- If you want to emphasize that it is not just late, it is too late then you can say so.
- "Rather" is not a word of choice because it is used to "blur the boundaries" of the word it modifies.
- "I woke rather late this afternoon, made a coffee and read a magazine".
- I do not emphasize I woke up very late this afternoon, just saying it was later than usual but nothing extraordinary.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
8 Answers
0
Truth be told, I wouldn't use either "rather" or "relatively". If you want to emphasize that it is not just late, it is too late then you can say so. "Rather" is not a word of choice because it is used to "blur the boundaries" of the word it modifies.
"I woke rather late this afternoon, made a coffee and read a magazine". I do not emphasize I woke up very late this afternoon, just saying
"I woke rather late this afternoon, made a coffee and read a magazine". I do not emphasize I woke up very late this afternoon, just saying
00
0
Hi Fandorin,
This is the situation:
The man works in a bookstore and he has to be there at nine and it is already 9:30.
Woman: Good morning Robert. It's rather late, but at least drink your coffee.
Man: I can't drink it Mrs. Anderson because it's not rather late; it's too late for me. I must go to the bookstore immediately.
The idea is to teach
This is the situation:
The man works in a bookstore and he has to be there at nine and it is already 9:30.
Woman: Good morning Robert. It's rather late, but at least drink your coffee.
Man: I can't drink it Mrs. Anderson because it's not rather late; it's too late for me. I must go to the bookstore immediately.
The idea is to teach
00
Thinking SpainCould it be right according to the context?Yes, in fact that's the kind of context that occurred to me when I read your original question. Still, I wouldn't try to make too fine a distinction between the two and I don't think you should try to generalize this situation, it is after all a very specific context.
00
Hi MalRey,
Thank you for your reply. It seems that when I was reediting my post you have answered me.
It's fine anyway, isn't it?
TS
Thank you for your reply. It seems that when I was reediting my post you have answered me.
It's fine anyway, isn't it?
TS
00
FandorinAnother example is ok, but "not having" is out of place. While it is still grammatically correct, the wording seems odd to me.Hi,
Thank you for your reply.
What about 'with no' instead of 'not having' as a synontm for 'without'. Is there
00
"With no" will do better for me. I would say "without a tie", I treasure simplicity.
00
Hi Fandorin,
Thank you for your reply.
Then it should be, 'without a tie' = 'with no tie'. Right?
TS
Thank you for your reply.
Then it should be, 'without a tie' = 'with no tie'. Right?
TS
0
Related Questions