it is not rather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is not rather" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is definitely not true. For example: "That restaurant isn't cheap - it is not rather a bargain!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The GOP spends too much time defending itself against what it is not rather than asserting its core values.

Huffington Post

It is defined by what it is not, rather than by what it is, and that itself imposes limits.

The Guardian - Opinion

The problem, Mr. DePalma says, is that the participants, mostly academics, spent their time scrutinizing the differences between Canada and the United States, thereby defining Canadian culture in terms of "what it is not rather than what it is".

The New York Times - Books

In books such as Depression: The Way Out of Your Prison and Beyond Fear, she offered advice to her readers in the second person ("Thinking that you will be helping your family by killing yourself can seem to be very virtuous, but it is not"), rather than simply describing clinical work, and recast depression as a personal challenge that could be overcome without professional help.

The Guardian - Books

He begins to define time by what it is not rather than what it is, an approach similar to that taken in other negative definitions.

Wikipedia

Discrete mathematics is more defined by what it is not, rather than what it is.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Leahy said the company had "focused too much on what it isn't, rather than remembering what it is".

The Guardian - Business

I've written about the movie in terms of absence, not presence; of what it isn't, rather than what it is.

The New Yorker

We do not, however, say that it used to be true but now it isn't; rather we say that it was never true.

SEP

It's not; rather, it's a story about the pantry.

The New York Times - Food

Coaches wear many hats, yet it's a field that is often defined by what it's not, rather than what it is.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is not rather" to introduce a clarification or correction, ensuring a smoother transition between what something is not and what it actually is.

Common error

Avoid overuse; "it is not rather" can sound stilted if used too frequently. Opt for simpler alternatives like "instead" or "but" for more natural flow in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not rather" functions as a corrective conjunction, used to negate a previous statement and introduce a more accurate or precise alternative. Ludwig AI confirms this structure is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

28%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is not rather" serves as a corrective conjunction. It's grammatically correct and functions to clarify or replace a previous statement with a more accurate one. While not overly formal, Ludwig examples indicate it is primarily found in news and media contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it is a usable phrase in written English and this analysis suggest to use it when you need to fix something that was said previously. Simpler alternatives like "instead" or "but" may be more appropriate for a more natural style in some cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather it is not

Inverts the order for a slightly different emphasis.

it is not so much

Changes the emphasis to suggest something is not as important as it might seem.

it is not really

Softens the negation, suggesting something is not entirely true.

it isn't exactly

Indicates something is not precise or accurate.

it is not truly

Emphasizes the lack of authenticity or genuineness.

it's not precisely

Highlights a lack of exactness or accuracy.

it does not exactly

Points out an inexact or non-literal interpretation.

it is less about

Shifts the focus to diminish the importance of the initial subject.

it is not so much a

Further diminishes importance by adding the article "a".

it is not primarily

Indicates that something else is more important or relevant.

FAQs

How can I use "it is not rather" in a sentence?

Use "it is not rather" to correct a misunderstanding or to provide a more accurate description. For example, "The problem "it is not rather" a lack of resources, but a lack of coordination."

What are some alternatives to "it is not rather"?

You can use alternatives like "instead", "but", or "rather" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

Is it correct to say "it is not rather" in formal writing?

Yes, "it is not rather" is grammatically correct and can be used in formal writing, though it may sound slightly formal or emphatic. Consider the context and audience to ensure it fits the overall tone.

What is the difference between "it is not rather" and "it is not exactly"?

"It is not rather" is used to make a correction or clarification, while "it is not exactly" suggests that something is not entirely accurate or precise, but may still be generally true.