rather a price

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather a price" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express that something is more than just a price, but it may require additional clarification for the reader. Example: "This isn't just a transaction; it's rather a price for the value we provide."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Furthermore, given the current debate around value-based pricing, the goal of health economic evaluation might not be a yes-or-no reimbursement decision any longer but rather a price estimate for the new drug.

Health Economics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But elsewhere, Obama has relied on green subsidies rather than a price signal.

The New York Times

While this is a major step backward, and many Australians will consider it reckless, I believe that there is hope for the future, if we focus our efforts on renewable energy, rather than a price on carbon.

The Guardian - Opinion

The process was changed once Locog began selling specific seats, rather than a price category, and therefore needed to seat wheelchair users in a specific location within a venue.

BBC

So rather than a price for carbon, it seems to be an anti-price for nega-carbon.

Huffington Post

Rather, at a price of just over £1000 and with low running costs the Nano is expected to create a transport revolution that will see car use in India soar.

Biotechnology for Biofuels

This seems to be a rather a steep price.

Huffington Post

No one wants a cheap Blu-ray player, but rather a low-price, high quality player.

TechCrunch

When Cheney sees other firms making one of his brushes, he often drops the product rather than enter a price war.

The New York Times - Magazine

"In a high-priced market like Great Neck, the lower days on market just shows the willingness of people to pull things off the market rather than take a price cut".

Forbes

So it would have some wrangling on its hands if it hikes the monthly subscriber fees to carry ESPN Classic-turned-NFL Network or charges a rather substantial price for a brand-new ESPN/NFL Network channel.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rather a price", ensure the context clearly indicates you're referring to more than just the monetary cost; consider emotional, social, or ethical implications.

Common error

Avoid using "rather a price" when a straightforward description of cost is sufficient. This phrase should highlight that the price involves additional, less tangible factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather a price" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (often an abstract one) by suggesting that the cost is not merely a monetary value but something more significant. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe complex considerations beyond simple transactions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rather a price" is a nuanced expression used to convey that a cost encompasses more than just monetary value, extending to emotional, social, or ethical implications. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is not very common and its use should be reserved for contexts where this broader meaning is intentional. While grammatically acceptable, alternative phrases like "more of a cost" or "a steep cost" might be more straightforward and widely understood. The phrase is found across News & Media and Science sources, and understanding its intended nuance is key to its effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more of a cost

Emphasizes the burden or sacrifice involved, similar to price but with a stronger negative connotation.

more like a fee

Suggests a mandatory payment for a service or privilege, altering the sense of value exchange.

more accurately valued

Focuses on the accuracy of the price, implying a need for a better reflection of worth.

a different consideration

Shifts the focus from monetary value to a broader perspective of what is being exchanged or given up.

an investment instead

Highlights the potential for future return, changing the perception from a cost to a benefit.

a steep cost

Conveys the price as being excessively high or demanding.

a significant expense

Emphasizes the magnitude of the financial outlay.

a considerable charge

Highlights the imposition of a fee or debit.

an alternative valuation

Suggests a different method or system for assessing the price.

a heavy toll

Implies a severe or burdensome cost, often in a non-monetary sense.

FAQs

How can I use "rather a price" in a sentence?

Use "rather a price" to indicate that a cost is more than just monetary, encompassing other significant sacrifices or implications. For example, "His silence was "rather a price" to pay for peace" implies more than just foregoing words.

What is an alternative to "rather a price"?

Alternatives include phrases like "more of a cost", "a different consideration", or "a steep cost", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "rather a price" instead of "just a price"?

"Rather a price" is appropriate when the cost involves non-monetary aspects like emotional toll, ethical compromises, or social consequences, making it more than "just a price".

Is "rather a price" a common phrase in English?

No, "rather a price" is not a very common phrase. It is grammatically correct, but other alternatives may be more natural and widely understood.