Is Rather A Conjunction? 5 Facts(When, Why & Examples)

In the English language, there are some words that belong to the category of conjunctions. They are connecting words. Here we shall explore ‘’rather’’ as a conjunction.

The word ‘’rather’’ is a conjunction. It joins the part of a sentence that has already been mentioned earlier in the sentence. It is used as part of a dependent clause.

Now, we shall explain some interesting facts related to ”rather”, when, how, and other examples of ”rather” in an interesting manner which are given below.

When is ‘rather’ a conjunction?

We can use the word ‘’rather’’ as a conjunction to connect two ideas. Let us discuss the fact.

The word ‘’rather’’ can be used as a conjunction with the combination of the word ‘’than’’. Then it becomes a unit ‘‘rather than” and acts as a conjunction. This phrase joins nouns, adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions.

The word ”rather” is used as an example in such a way-

Example	Explanation
1. Jack goes to the office by train rather than by bus.	In this sentence, a conjunction ‘’rather’’ connects two nouns ”train” and ”bus”.
2. Sumanta takes tea rather than coffee.	Here it is found that the word ‘’rather’’ with the combination of ‘’than’’ is used to join two nouns.
3. You run slowly rather than quickly.	In this example, we see that the conjunction ”rather” joins the two adverbs-”slowly” and ”quickly”.

How is ‘rather’ a conjunctive adverb?

A conjunctive adverb typically joins two independent clauses. Now, let us check how ‘’rather’’ can act as a conjunctive adverb.

The word ‘’rather’’ is a conjunctive adverb in such a way that it joins two clauses and refers to something that is stated in the previous sentence. We can join two parts of a sentence with the word ‘’rather’’.

Follow the table to check how ‘’rather’’ can function as a conjunctive adverb.

Situation	Example	Explanation
1. The word ‘’rather’’ joins the two clauses together.	The boy does not like a doll. . Rather he likes a toy train.	Here it is found that the word ‘‘rather’’ as a conjunctive adverb it joins two thoughts together.
2. ‘’Rather’’ modifies the verb of the second clause.	The student did not agree with the man. Rather, he proposed to argue with him.	In this sentence, the word ‘‘rather’’ joins the two thoughts and modifies the verb of the second part.
3. ‘’Rather’’ is placed after a semicolon (;).	The answer was correct. Rather, it was to the point.	Here we see that a conjunctive adverb ‘’rather’’ precedes a semicolon.
4. ‘‘Rather’’ is followed by a comma (,).	Riddhi can read loudly. Rather, he can read attentively.	This is the sentence where the word ‘’rather’’ is followed by a comma.

Examples of ‘rather’ as a conjunction:

The word ‘’rather’’ can be used as a conjunction. Now we shall find the examples where ‘’rather’’ is used as a conjunction.

The examples which are associated with ”rather” are given below.

Example	Explanation
1. We should rather make a decision than take the time to do it.	In this sentence, we see that the word ‘‘rather’’ is used as a conjunction and establishes a relationship between two clauses.
2. Her purpose is to help her friends. Rather, she stands by them.	Here the word ‘’rather’’ with the combination of ‘’than’’ acts as conjunction. Thus it makes a complex sentence.
3. Tuhin decided to call him rather than text him.	Here it is seen that the word ‘’rather’’ has been used as a conjunction and joins two clauses.
4. The old man begs rather than staves.	In the example, the word ‘’rather’’ acts as a conjunction. It joins the two independent clauses and one single sentence.
5. I prefer to buy a new car rather than repair it.	In this sentence, ‘rather’ works as conjunction and serves the purpose of making complex sentences with two clauses.

When is ‘rather’ not considered as conjunction?

We have come to know that ‘’rather’’ can be used as a conjunction. Here we shall explain when it is not a conjunction.

The word ”rather” is not considered as a conjunction as apart from conjunction, we can use the word ‘’rather’’ as an adverb, and a preposition. As an adverb, the word ‘’rather’’ indicates a preference, degree, or accuracy. As a preposition, it is synonymous with ‘’instead of’’.

The examples where ‘‘rather’’ is not used as a conjunction are given in the following table.

Situation	Example	Different grammatical usage of ‘rather’.
1. The word ‘’rather’’ can act as an adverb.	The girl is more intelligent than beautiful.	In this sentence, the word ‘’rather’’ acts as an adverb. It modifies the adjective here.
2.’’Rather’’ is used with adjectives and nouns.	You had to walk rather a long distance.	Here is seen that the word ‘‘rather’’ is used with an adjective and a noun
3.’’Rather’’ can be used with nouns.	The watch costs rather a lot.	In this example, the word ‘’rather’’ is used with the noun’ lot’.
4.’’Rather’’ is used with a verb.	Pradip was hoping rather get good marks.	Here the word ‘’rather’’ is used with the verb ‘hoping’ to modify it.

Examples of ‘rather’ not considered as conjunctions:

The following examples will show the usage of the word ‘’rather’’ except as conjunction.

The examples where ”rather” is not regarded as conjunctions are shown in the following table.

Example	Explanation
1. The question is rather simple.	In this sentence, ‘’rather’’ acts as an adverb. It modifies the adjective ‘’simple’’.
2. The old men are walking rather slowly.	Here we see that ‘’rather’’ works as an adverb and modifies the adverb ‘slowly’.
3. My friend rather likes to do a job in a multinational company.	Here ‘’rather’’ acts as an adverb and lays emphasis on the verb ‘‘likes’’.

Conjunction

This article will give us enough information on the uses of ‘‘rather’’ as a conjunction. We will also find its usage as an adverb.

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