- It can be used as an adverb of degree to modify an adjective or an adverb: 'These are rather expensive.' 'It's a rather complicated story. (Medium degree: rather, fairly, quite, pretty, somewhat) When we make a favourable comment, we usually prefer quite to rather. Quite is unstressed: 'It's quite pleasant here.' 'It was quite a good party.' In unfavourable comments, we usually prefer rather, but quite is possible: 'It was rather/quite a dull party.' Rather in a favourable comment often means 'to a surprising or unusual degree'. 'I expected the party to he dull, but it was actually rather good.' 'The test paper was rather easy. (It isn't usually so easy.)' - We can use an adverb of degree such as 'rather' or 'really' to modify a verb: 'We were rather hoping to have a look round.' - We can use it to modify a quantifier: 'We've had rather a lot of complaints.' - It can also be used as a way of relating one clause or sentence to another: I'll see you tomorrow then. Or rather on Monday. (Correcting) - 'Would rather' means 'prefer' or 'would prefer': 'I'd rather surf the net than wtach TV.' 'Would rather' is followed by a bare infinitive.The negative is 'would rather not': 'I'd rather not take any risks.' - It can also be used to mean 'instead of' (=in place of): 'Why didn’t you ask for help, rather than trying to do it on your own?'

rather than do sth

The word 'rather' can be replaced by 'prefer'. For example. I like watching comedy but I would 'rather' (prefer to) watch drama. For example. I like coffee but I would 'rather have' (prefer) tea.