I rather love

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I rather love" is correct and usable in written English, though it may sound somewhat formal or old-fashioned.
You can use it to express a strong liking or affection for something, often in a more emphatic or literary context. Example: "I rather love the way the sunlight filters through the trees in the morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I rather love the old place.

The Guardian

I rather love the idea of a chivalric ideal being played out in working-class nineteen-sixties Bristol.

The New Yorker

But at the same time, I rather love the idea of it.

The Guardian - Film

But I find I rather love this – perhaps because the extremely subtle vanilla doesn't live up to its top billing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And I rather love Fairbairn's exercise in boat-rocking: because she's not saying the black-tie do is pointless, she's simply gesturing towards a more accurate point.

Independent

Flying in the face of this introspection, I rather love that the characters in People Like Us sit about watching Jeremy Kyle, being wholly judgemental about both Kyle's case studies and also the sort of people who watch Jeremy Kyle.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I rather loved the decadent scenes in the Blue Dragon, and Rose, the flighty, young, blonde Helena Bonham Carter.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But I rather loved that.' It was Wyndham who brought Bruce Chatwin, then just a 'brilliant young person at Sotheby's', to the magazine as its artistic adviser and it was Wyndham who encouraged him to write, commissioning him to write a piece about Madame Vionnet.

The Guardian - Books

He's just a good man; I really rather love him".

The Guardian - Film

I do rather love the way Laugesen is drawn as kind of Bond villain, with a louchely evil demeanour.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Follow Harmon Leon on TwItter.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I rather love" when aiming for a slightly formal or old-fashioned tone in your writing. This phrase can add a touch of sophistication or literary flair to your expression of affection.

Common error

Avoid using "I rather love" in very casual conversations or informal writing where it might sound overly pretentious or unnatural. Opt for more common alternatives like "I really love" or "I like it a lot" in such scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I rather love" functions as an expression of strong liking or affection. It combines the personal pronoun "I" with the adverb "rather" to modify the verb "love", indicating a notable degree of fondness. As Ludwig AI suggests, it expresses a strong liking or affection for something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I rather love" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to indicate a strong liking, though it carries a slightly formal or old-fashioned tone. According to Ludwig AI, you can use it to express a strong liking or affection for something. It's most commonly found in News & Media sources, with less frequent usage in Science and Formal & Business contexts. While correct, remember that in a casual conversation using an alternative like "I really love" could be more suited.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I quite love

Replaces "rather" with "quite", offering a slightly less formal tone while maintaining a similar degree of affection.

I really love

Uses "really" for emphasis, making the statement more direct and common in everyday speech.

I truly love

Emphasizes the sincerity of the affection, suggesting a deep appreciation.

I deeply love

Indicates a profound level of affection or fondness.

I greatly love

Emphasizes the extent to which something is loved, sounding slightly more formal.

I have a great love for

Shifts the sentence structure to focus on the love itself, rather than the act of loving.

I am quite fond of

Expresses a strong liking, using "fond" to convey a sense of affection.

I am rather partial to

Indicates a preference or inclination towards something, similar to liking it.

I find myself loving

Emphasizes the speaker's gradual realization of their love for something.

I adore

Offers a more intense expression of love or admiration.

FAQs

How can I use "I rather love" in a sentence?

Use "I rather love" to express a strong liking or fondness, often in a slightly formal or literary context. For example, "I rather love the atmosphere of this old bookstore."

What's the difference between "I rather love" and "I really love"?

"I rather love" implies a slightly more refined or old-fashioned sentiment than "I really love", which is more common and direct. While both express affection, "I rather love" has a more formal tone.

What can I say instead of "I rather love"?

You can use alternatives like "I quite love", "I really love", or "I adore" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "I rather love" suitable for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "I rather love" might sound a bit unusual in very casual, everyday conversations. It's more appropriate for writing or more formal settings.