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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

use of "Rather"

I always thought I had the use of "rather" quite clear. But now a student asked if it's possible to say:

- Would you like a coke?
- No, I'd like some tea rather (seems very odd to me)

or even:

- No, some tea, rather.

Thanks in advance for any help!
  

Top answer

Both of those sound unnatural to this speaker of British English.

— Fivejedjon

  • Both of those sound unnatural to this speaker of British English.
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4 Answers
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Both of those sound unnatural to this speaker of British English.
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They also sound that way to this American.
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In British English, 'rather' used to be used casually in some ways that are now pretty well archaic. This may be one of them.

I'd just tell your student to forget it.

Clive
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CliveIn British English, 'rather' used to be used casually in some ways that are now pretty well archaic.
If you are talking about the usage below, it's a little old-fashioned, but some of us can still be caught using it:

Would you like a cup of tea?
B: Rather! (=very much)
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