1) The minister seemed in rather better spirits than his hosts,and apologized for keeping them all up so late.<br/><br/>2) He was tall and thin,with a face rather like a sad old horse <br/><br/>3) You were rather less pleased to see your brother this morning than you were last night.<br/><br/>4) '' you can't go, '' he said rather too desperately <br/><br/>In what ways,the rather modifies the above sentences ? what's the absolute reason for its usage ?<br/><br/>thanks btw