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Alternatively vs Rather - What's the difference?

alternatively | rather |

In conjunctive|lang=en terms the difference between alternatively and rather

is that alternatively is (conjunctive) (used to link a pair of possibilities) while rather is (conjunctive) introducing a qualification or clarification; more precisely (now usually preceded by or ).

As adverbs the difference between alternatively and rather

is that alternatively is in an alternative way while rather is (obsolete) more quickly; sooner, earlier.

As a verb rather is

(nonstandard|or|dialectal) to prefer; to prefer to.

As an adjective rather is

(obsolete) prior; earlier; former.

alternatively

English

Adverb

(-)
  • in an alternative way
  • * 1998 , Marie D. Hoff (editor), Sustainable Community Development , page 99:
    • Observers should keep in mind that these efforts at living alternatively are not easily undertaken; indeed, if they were, more people would be doing what they do.
  • * 2001 , Hans-Peter Martin, Is Globalization a Trap?'', published in ''Keys to the 21st Century (edited by Jérôme Bindé) on page 350:
    • Thus, we are creating a new class struggle between those who live within the social system and those who are marginalized or wish to live alternatively .
  • * 2003 , Torunn Kjølner and Janek Szatkowski, Dramaturgy in Building Multimedia Performances'', published in ''Production methods: behind the scenes of virtual inhabited 3D worlds: Volume 1 (edited by Kim Halskov Madsen), on page 127:
    • Devising obviously asks for what we understand as general creativity, like the ability to take an initiative, to invent, to think alternatively , to associate interestingly, to create metaphors and images.
  • * 2005 , Graham Meltzer, Sustainable Community: Learning from the Cohousing Model , page 3:
    • Most people living alternatively have strong pro-environmental values and, unlike many 'greens' in mainstream society, are generally able to apply their values in day-to-day life.
  • (conjunctive) (Used to link a pair of possibilities)

    • rather

    English

    Adverb

    (-)
  • (obsolete) More quickly; sooner, earlier.
  • Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably. (Now usually followed by than )
  • *
    • Firstly, I continue to base most species treatments on personally collected material, rather than on herbarium plants.
  • (conjunctive) Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary.
  • (conjunctive) Introducing a qualification or clarification; more precisely. (Now usually preceded by or .)
  • * 1897 , (Henry James), (What Maisie Knew) :
    • What the pupil already knew was indeed rather taken for granted than expressed, but it performed the useful function of transcending all textbooks and supplanting all studies.
  • * 1898, J. A. Hamilton, ", Volume LIV: Stanhope–Stovin , The MacMillan Company, page 60,
    • His ‘Iliad’ is spirited and polished, and, though often rather a paraphrase than a translation, is always more truly poetic than most of the best translations.
  • * , chapter=12
    • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=All this was extraordinarily distasteful to Churchill.
  • (degree) Somewhat, fairly.

    • Usage notes

    * (somewhat) This is a non-descriptive qualifier'', similar to quite and fairly and somewhat. It is used where a plain adjective needs to be modified, but cannot be qualified. When spoken, the meaning can vary with the tone of voice and stress. "''He was rather big''" can mean anything from "not small" to "huge" (meiosis with the stress on ''rather ).

    Synonyms

    * liever, liefer, as lief * (to a certain extent) somewhat, fairly, quite

    Antonyms

    * (somewhat) utterly

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (nonstandard, or, dialectal) To prefer; to prefer to.
  • * 1984 , Bruce Brooks, The Moves Make the Man :
    • Until just before the pie was popped into the heat. A few of them suddenly realized who put that gorgeous hunk of crackers together, and gaped. We grinned back, but very cool. The ones who knew said nothing, rathering to die than let on they had been hustled by two negative dudes.
  • * 2002 , Sarah Waters, Fingersmith :
    • It was a plain brown dress, more or less the colour of my hair; and the walls of our kitchen being also brown, when I came downstairs again I could hardly be seen. I should have rathered a blue gown, or a violet one
  • * 2002 , Elizabeth Bowen, The Heat of the Day :
    • So you must excuse my saying anything I did: all it was, that up to the very last I had understood us all to be friendly — apart, that is, from his rathering me not there. How was I to know he would flash out so wicked?
  • * 2007 , Mikel Schaefer, Lost in Katrina , page 323:
    • "That was a killer," said Chris. "I'd rathered' die in St. Bernard than spent one minute over there. I would have ' rathered the storm, shaking with the wind and rain hitting in the boat for an eternity than spending any time there.

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (obsolete) Prior; earlier; former.
  • * Sir J. Mandeville
    • Now no man dwelleth at the rather town.

    Statistics

    * English conjunctive adverbs English degree adverbs