it is rather that

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is rather that" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used as an alternative way to introduce a second object or action, when the idea of comparison is implied. For example: "I wanted to do something different; it is rather that I want to explore new possibilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is, rather, that Republicans will gain just enough power to make the country ungovernable, unable to address its fiscal problems or anything else in a serious way.

The New York Times

It is rather "that will which seeks to cause no harm because it wishes to suffer no harm" (SM, 80), and has come to identify its own interests with those of others.

SEP

It is rather that Ms. Tharp illuminates the Classical side, with its attributes of proportion and harmony, and does so through her disciplined structure and stricter-than-usual adherence to ballet's vocabulary.

The New York Times - Arts

It is, rather, that 27 countries have different interests.

The Economist

It is rather that he seeks to fill them with meaty, challenging substance.

The Economist

It is rather that he is emulating Vladimir Putin's methods, albeit without Russia's imperial zeal.

The Economist

It is rather that physicians were hoping for years of extra life.

The Economist

It is rather that business confidence is stalling and business costs are rising.

The Economist

It is, rather, that he is replacing one heavyweight at employment with another.

The Economist

It is rather that, put together as an exhibition, the works just don't make sense.

The New York Times

Or perhaps it is rather that Lohan never regarded herself as having fallen in with him.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is rather that" to introduce a more accurate or nuanced explanation following a potentially misleading statement. It helps in refining understanding and preventing misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "it is rather that" in very simple sentences where a direct contrast with "but" or "however" would suffice. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is rather that" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses, introducing a clarification, correction, or more precise explanation of the preceding statement. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and suitable for written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is rather that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to introduce a clarification or nuanced correction. Its usage is prevalent in news, scientific writing, and encyclopedia sources, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. While versatile, it should be used judiciously to avoid unnecessary complexity, as noted by Ludwig AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's more that

This alternative provides a slightly more casual tone while retaining the core meaning of clarification.

the point is that

This shifts the focus to highlighting the central argument or idea.

it's actually that

This alternative emphasizes the truth or reality of the contrasting statement.

the reality is that

Similar to "it's actually that", this stresses the factual nature of the correction.

more precisely

This provides a more concise and formal way to introduce a refined or accurate statement.

specifically

This is used to introduce more details and be more specific on something.

to be exact

Similar to more precisely, is a formal way to make the information more accurate.

in reality

This introduce real facts over previous incorrect assumption.

to put it another way

This explains the sentence using different words, not adding or correcting something.

what i mean is

This express what the speaker is trying to say, maybe rephrasing previous sentence.

FAQs

How can I use "it is rather that" in a sentence?

Use "it is rather that" to introduce a clarification or correction to a preceding statement. For example, "The problem isn't the lack of funding; "it is rather that" the existing funds are mismanaged."

What phrases are similar to "it is rather that"?

Similar phrases include "the point is that", "it's more that", or "in reality". These can be used to introduce a more accurate or insightful perspective.

Is "it is rather that" formal or informal?

"It is rather that" is generally considered neutral to formal. While appropriate for news, academic writing, and professional communication, it might sound overly complex in very informal contexts.

When should I avoid using "it is rather that"?

Avoid using "it is rather that" when a simpler conjunction like "but" or "however" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound stilted. If the correction is straightforward, a simpler construction is often better.