I rather agree

USAGE SUMMARY

'I rather agree' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that one agrees with something, but not to a full extent. For example, you might say, "I rather agree that the deadline is too tight, but there doesn't seem to be any way to adjust it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I rather agree with the Pope….

Independent

"I rather agree with the [Wall Street] Journal this morning, which sort of lacerated Romney," said Murdoch, who owns the Wall Street Journal.

The Guardian

In fact, I rather agree with Richard D. Land, the president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, who calls Mormonism a fourth Abrahamic religion, along with Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

The New York Times

If by this he means we need some better festivals, I rather agree with him.

BBC

"I rather agree with the [Wall Street] Journal this morning, which sort of lacerated Romney.

Huffington Post

Accordingly, teachers' responses were classified into "agreement" (including "I strongly agree", "I rather agree") and "disagreement" (including "I rather disagree", "I strongly disagree").

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It was an idea he embraced, and I rather agreed with him that Clegg would make an excellent one.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was the slightest pause before Allen retorted with a sigh, "Well, if you can't patronise Ian Fleming, who can you patronise?" It was a view I rather agreed with at the time, and for some years afterwards.

The Guardian - Film

3 Intention to remaind own item Do you want to continue working within the commercial field after apprenticeship? 1 aScale: 1 = 'never' to 6 = 'very often' bScale: 1=' I do not agree', 2='I do rather not agree', 3=' I do rather agree', 4='I do' cScale: 1 = 'does not apply at all' to 6 = 'does apply strongly' dScale: 0='no', 1='maybe/undecided', 2='yes'.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Now that they have dropped me, I must say that I still rather agree with myself.

BBC

In fact, and I say this with some amazement at this statement's largesse, I would rather agree to interact with Naomi Campbell on a daily basis for 30 days than watch one more episode.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I rather agree" to express agreement with a caveat or reservation. It's suitable when you don't fully endorse something but find yourself leaning towards agreement. For example: "I rather agree that taxes need to be raised, though I worry about the impact on small businesses."

Common error

Avoid using "I rather agree" in highly formal writing or speech where a more direct and assertive agreement is expected. In such cases, use phrases like "I agree" or "I concur" to convey a stronger sense of endorsement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I rather agree" functions as an expression of agreement, typically qualified or moderate. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, indicating a nuanced form of agreement rather than a complete endorsement. Examples show its use in expressing agreement with certain reservations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I rather agree" is a phrase used to express a qualified or partial agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in English. The phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While the phrase does convey agreement, it also suggests a degree of hesitation or reservation. When a stronger endorsement is intended phrases like "I completely agree" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I somewhat agree

Indicates a moderate level of agreement; less emphatic than full agreement.

I quite agree

Suggests a slightly stronger agreement than "I rather agree", but still not complete.

I partially agree

Emphasizes that the agreement is limited to certain aspects or conditions.

I tend to agree

Implies an inclination toward agreement, but with room for doubt or further consideration.

I generally agree

Indicates agreement in most cases or aspects, but not necessarily all.

I mostly agree

Similar to "I generally agree", highlighting that agreement is more prevalent than disagreement.

I concur to some extent

A more formal way of expressing partial agreement.

I find myself in agreement

Highlights the speaker's perspective of coming to agree.

That's a fair point

Acknowledges the validity of a point, implying agreement with that specific aspect.

I see your point

Indicates understanding and acceptance of someone else's viewpoint, often implying agreement.

FAQs

What does "I rather agree" mean?

The phrase "I rather agree" indicates a moderate level of agreement. It suggests that you agree with something to some extent, but perhaps not entirely or without reservations. It is a more nuanced way of expressing agreement than simply saying "I agree".

When should I use "I rather agree"?

Use "I rather agree" when you want to express agreement but also convey a sense of hesitation, reservation, or incomplete endorsement. It is appropriate in situations where you want to be diplomatic or acknowledge potential drawbacks.

What are some alternatives to "I rather agree"?

You can use alternatives like "I somewhat agree", "I partially agree", or "I tend to agree" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "I rather agree" formal or informal?

"I rather agree" is generally considered neutral in terms of formality. While it is not overly formal, it is also not strictly informal. It can be used in a variety of settings, although more direct and assertive language may be preferable in highly formal contexts.