it exists rather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it exists rather" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a contrast or preference, but it lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "In this discussion, it exists rather as a theoretical concept than a practical application."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Premise 2 invokes a version of the Principle of Causation or the Principle of Sufficient Reason; if something is contingent, there must be a cause of its existence or a reason or explanation why it exists rather than not exists.

SEP

Second, we can equip young people for the world as it exists rather than as we would wish it to be.

The Guardian

Students will not use an online tool simply because it exists; rather, they must see value in it, including how it links to course objectives and has the potential to improve their summative assessment outcomes (Saunders and Gale, 2012).

CBE Life Sciences Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"We are fully aware of the health harms associated with cannabis use, but contend that a rational policy must pragmatically manage the reality of use as it currently exists, rather than attempt to eradicate it using punitive enforcement".

Vice

In any case, it presumes that race actually exists, rather than being a social construct.

Independent

The land--and what exists rather importantly underneath it--is seen by outside interests, and among many in this small town--as a commodity rather than anything mysterious or magisterial.

Huffington Post

Building on what exists, rather than clearing it for redevelopment, may preserve not only the character of a place but also its economic vibrancy.

The New York Times

The Internet, said Stahlman, would aid the society that already exists, rather than alter it beyond recognition.

Forbes

The Internet, said Stahlman, would aid the society that already exists, rather than alter it be-yond recognition.

Forbes

Altogether, our results suggest that to maintain for farmland birds, it is better to add new urban habitat in place where it already exist, rather than to spread it in small lots throughout the landscape.

Biological Conservation

But explaining why something exists rather than something else or than nothing and why it is as it is gives additional explanatory power in explaining why a universe exists at all.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express a contrast related to existence, use clearer alternatives like "it exists instead" or "it exists more as" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid directly translating phrases from other languages where "rather" might have a different connotation related to existence. In English, this construction often sounds awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it exists rather" functions as a connector aiming to express contrast or preference regarding the mode of existence. However, according to Ludwig, this usage can be ambiguous. Alternative expressions can provide clearer emphasis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it exists rather" is an attempt to express a contrast or qualification about how something exists. However, Ludwig AI highlights that this phrasing is not the clearest or most common way to express this idea. While grammatically valid, it can sound awkward, and its meaning might not be immediately apparent to native English speakers. As Ludwig examples show, it is present in the scientific, news and encyclopedic register. For improved clarity, consider using alternatives like "it exists instead" or "it exists more as". Overall, while understandable, aim for more conventional expressions to avoid potential confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it exists instead

Replaces "rather" with "instead" for a more direct contrast.

it exists more as

Shifts the focus to the manner of existence.

it exists primarily as

Emphasizes the main form or role of existence.

it is actually

Highlights the true nature or reality.

it is, in reality

Adds a sense of unveiling the factual state.

it actually manifests as

Focuses on the tangible form of existence.

its true nature is

Highlights the essential characteristics.

it is essentially

Points out the fundamental aspect.

it is fundamentally

Emphasizes the underlying basis.

it occurs more like

Focuses on the manner in which something comes into being.

FAQs

What does "it exists rather" mean?

The phrase "it exists rather" is not a standard or clearly defined expression in English. It's often used to express a contrast or preference but requires additional context to be understood. Consider using clearer alternatives like "it exists instead" or "it exists more as".

How can I use "it exists rather" correctly in a sentence?

While not grammatically incorrect, "it exists rather" can be ambiguous. To use it effectively, ensure the contrast is clear. For example: "In this discussion, it exists rather as a theoretical concept than a practical application." However, alternatives like "it exists instead" or "it exists more as" are generally preferred for clarity.

What are some alternatives to "it exists rather"?

Depending on the intended meaning, you can use alternatives like "it exists instead", "it exists more as", "it is actually", or "it is, in reality". These phrases offer clearer and more common ways to express contrast or preference related to existence.

Is "it exists rather" grammatically correct?

The grammar of "it exists rather" is not incorrect, but its usage is uncommon and can sound awkward or unclear to native English speakers. The Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it isn't the best choice. Using more standard phrases will improve clarity.