and then rather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and then rather" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to indicate a preference or a change in direction after a previous statement, but it is not commonly used. Example: "I thought I would go for a walk, and then rather decided to stay home instead."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

And then, rather precipitously, I became a famous writer.

The New Yorker

"And then, rather suddenly, the marriage turned into a nightmare".

The New York Times

And then, rather than pile on, Canadian fans and fellow media rallied around him.

The Guardian - Sport

And then, rather delightfully, Rag N Bonene man introduces him: "Thanks to my brother," he says.

The Guardian

And then, rather surreally, a Murray lob is smashed back by Raonic but into the net.

The Guardian - Sport

And then, rather than selling the first photos to Hello! magazine, they could do a deal with the Dundee Courier.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

And by then, rather than remarking on the vitality of Asian cinema, people may be wondering if interesting movies are still being made anywhere else.

The New York Times

The SWL scores declined in all age groups at three years after the birth, and were then rather similar to those in the female Norwegian population.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Larger projects require much more direct capital investment from the private sector, increasing the financial risk for private investors and moving, then, rather toward joint venture approaches.

Environmental Management

Then – rather quickly – another, and another.

The Guardian - Opinion

That project started as a hobby, she said, and then became rather consuming.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "and then rather", ensure the context clearly indicates a preference, unexpected twist, or a slightly surprising alternative action. If clarity is paramount, consider using a more direct alternative like "and instead".

Common error

Avoid using "and then rather" excessively in formal or academic writing. While not strictly incorrect, it can sound less polished than alternatives like "and instead" or "and preferably". Choose vocabulary that suits the formality of your piece.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and then rather" functions as a conjunction phrase that introduces a subsequent event or action, often indicating a slight deviation from an expected or previously stated course. Ludwig AI's analysis shows it's used to connect ideas while adding a nuance of preference or unexpectedness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

6%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "and then rather" is a conjunction phrase used to connect ideas and actions sequentially, often implying a preference or slight surprise. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI indicates that it might not be suitable for all formal writing contexts, and alternatives such as "and instead" or "and preferably" may offer greater clarity. It's most commonly found in news and media, with a neutral to slightly informal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and instead

Focuses on the substitution of one action or state for another, omitting the element of surprise or mild contrast.

and preferably

Indicates a preferred action or state following an initial thought or action, emphasizing choice.

and surprisingly

Highlights the unexpected nature of the subsequent event or state, similar to the surprise that "rather" can imply.

and unexpectedly

Similar to "and surprisingly", this phrase underscores the unforeseen nature of what follows.

and somewhat

Highlights a degree of something that follows, often used to describe an unexpected quality.

and on the contrary

Highlights the contrast of the first action with a new action

and conversely

Introduces an idea that contrasts with what has just been said.

and to my surprise

The phrase highlights surprise or unexpectedness.

and as an alternative

Introduces the new option.

and as a substitute

Emphasizes the role of the new action as a substitute.

FAQs

How can I use "and then rather" in a sentence?

Use "and then rather" to indicate a shift in action or preference. For example, "I planned to go for a run, and then rather decided to stay in and read".

What are some alternatives to "and then rather"?

Alternatives include "and instead", "and preferably", or "and surprisingly", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "and then rather" grammatically correct?

While not considered standard, "and then rather" is generally acceptable in informal contexts. However, consider that it might not be perceived as appropriate in more formal writing.

What's the difference between "and then rather" and "and then instead"?

"And then rather" suggests a slight degree of unexpectedness or preference, while "and then instead" more directly indicates a replacement of one action with another.