it can rather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it can rather" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not typically used in standard English, as "rather" usually functions as an adverb to indicate preference or degree, and its placement here is awkward. Example: "It can rather be seen as a suggestion" does not work well; a clearer construction is needed.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Out is a strange novel indeed: slow, relentless, banal and gleefully grisly, to the point that it can rather strain credulity.

The Guardian - Books

The country must wake up and accept change in the form of a reconciliation with the realities of today, while it can, rather than subjecting itself to further risks.

The New York Times

But such a decision would not fundamentally alter the fact that current patterns of growth in London are signs of weakness in government, not strength, bulging up opportunistically wherever it can, rather than in the places where it would best serve the city.

The Guardian - Arts

And it can rather be a conservative approach in terms of saving the severely extruded molar teeth.

Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Likewise, Apple may opt to introduce new models to its two-year-old iPhone line at a deliberate pace in an effort to grab as much of the smart phone market as it can, rather than chasing wild new opportunities.

Forbes

In many cases it does things because it can, rather than because somebody has asked whether the information is useful, whether it is worth the potential price if discovered, or whether the activity can actually be prevented from coming into the public domain.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

If you can get your hands on a copy of the book and have a strong stomach, I can rather recommend it.

The Guardian - Opinion

It can go rather swiftly.

The New York Times

However, it can be rather challenging to predict failure using this method.

Composite Structures

Political satire is a big part of Canadian culture, and it can be rather ribald.

The New York Times - Arts

Correcting erectile dysfunction, alas, is not so simple — and it can be rather costly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it can rather" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "it can instead" or "it can even" to ensure better readability and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Using "it can rather" often results in an awkward sentence structure. To improve clarity, consider rephrasing the sentence to use "instead", "even", or another more suitable adverb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it can rather" functions as a modifier indicating a potential action or state, although it is not grammatically sound. Ludwig AI identifies this as unusual phrasing. The intent is often to suggest an alternative, but the word choice is awkward.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it can rather" is an uncommon and grammatically questionable construction. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as incorrect and suggests clearer alternatives like "it can instead" or "it can even". While it appears in various contexts, including news and scientific sources, it is best to avoid this phrasing in formal writing. Instead, opt for more standard expressions to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. Given its low frequency and potential for misinterpretation, using alternatives is highly recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it can instead

Replaces "rather" with "instead" to indicate an alternative action or state.

it can even

Replaces "rather" with "even" to emphasize an unexpected or surprising outcome.

it can instead be

Adds "be" for better grammatical flow, emphasizing an alternative state or condition.

it could rather

Substitutes "can" with "could", suggesting a possibility instead of a certainty.

it may rather

Substitutes "can" with "may", suggesting a possibility with slight uncertainty.

it can actually

Uses "actually" instead of "rather" to emphasize the reality or truth of a situation.

it can possibly

Uses "possibly" instead of "rather" to indicate a potential outcome.

it can alternatively

Replaces "rather" with "alternatively" to offer another option or possibility.

it can otherwise

Replaces "rather" with "otherwise" indicating a different or alternative way.

it can reasonably

Uses "reasonably" instead of "rather" to indicate a sensible or logical conclusion.

FAQs

What does "it can rather" mean?

The phrase "it can rather" is not standard English and may sound awkward. It's often better to use alternatives like "it can instead" or "it can even" depending on the intended meaning.

How can I rephrase a sentence that uses "it can rather"?

To rephrase a sentence with "it can rather", consider replacing it with a more common phrase like "it can instead be", "it can actually", or "it can alternatively" to improve clarity.

Is "it can rather" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "it can rather" is an uncommon and often awkward phrasing. It's generally advisable to use more standard constructions for better clarity and acceptance.

What are some alternatives to "it can rather" in formal writing?

In formal writing, replace "it can rather" with clearer and more precise alternatives such as "it can instead", "it can also", or "it can reasonably" depending on the context.