rather at once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather at once" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express a preference for immediate action or response, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "I would prefer you to address this issue rather at once than later."

News & Media

Books

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Now therefore, while the youthful hue Sits on thy skin like morning dew, And while thy willing soul transpires At every pore with instant fires, Now let us sport us while we may; And now, like am'rous birds of prey, Rather at once our time devour, Than languish in his slow-chapp'd power.

The Guardian

Now therefore, while the youthful hue Sits on thy skin like morning dew, And while thy willing soul transpires At every pore with instant fires, Now let us sport us while we may, And now, like amorous birds of prey, Rather at once our time devour Than languish in his slow-chapped power.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Chiefly, what's strange about him is his ability to be both enthralling and rather boring at once.

The Guardian - Music

By now, we know that the Trump apocalypse is happening step by step, rather than at once.

The New Yorker

Prada's "chandelier" shoes are really rather beautiful, at once romantic and modern, and the transparent handbags bring a little humour to the mix.

Independent

The space agency argues that this slower-paced deforestation, where parts of the forest are thinned out little by little rather than at once, can be just as devastating.

The New York Times

Most executives winding down operations would rather unload everything at once instead of having to do many deals with different buyers, which is why they work with Byrne.

Forbes

She produced all her rather overwhelming teeth at once.

The Guardian - Books

I'd rather work all at once and take off all at once.

The New York Times

Israeli officials say the new plan calls for a withdrawal in stages, rather than all at once.

The New York Times

The plan is to give them to him throughout the day, rather than all at once, so he can appreciate it properly".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "immediately" or "sooner rather than later" for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid using "rather at once" in highly formal or business writing. It can sound archaic or unnatural. Opt for more direct and contemporary language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather at once" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating a preference for immediacy. As Ludwig notes, it's not a standard expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Books

17%

Music

16%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather at once" is a grammatically acceptable but uncommon phrase used to express a preference for immediacy. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's not a standard expression and might sound awkward in modern English. While it appears in some published articles, consider using alternatives like "preferably immediately" or "sooner rather than later" for clearer communication. When deciding whether to use "rather at once", consider your audience and the context. In formal or business writing, it's best to opt for more direct and contemporary alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preferably immediately

Focuses on the preference for an action to be carried out without delay.

sooner rather than later

Indicates a preference for an earlier time but allows for some flexibility.

immediately if possible

Highlights the desire for immediate action, conditioned by feasibility.

without further delay

Emphasizes the need to proceed without any additional waiting time.

at the earliest opportunity

Suggests action should be taken as soon as a suitable moment arises.

right away if you can

Expresses an urge for immediate action conditional on the recipient's ability.

as quickly as feasible

Highlights efficiency in the actions to be performed, but recognizes real-world constraints.

promptly, if convenient

Combines speed with convenience to moderate the request for immediacy.

expeditiously when possible

Emphasizes efficiency and speed, subject to existing constraints.

with due haste, provided it's practical

Suggests urgency tempered by the condition of practicality.

FAQs

What does "rather at once" mean?

The phrase "rather at once" suggests a preference for doing something immediately or without delay. However, it's not a very common expression in modern English.

What can I say instead of "rather at once"?

You can use alternatives like "preferably immediately", "sooner rather than later", or "immediately if possible" depending on the specific context.

Is "rather at once" grammatically correct?

Yes, "rather at once" is grammatically acceptable, but it is not a frequently used phrase. Using more common alternatives will likely result in clearer communication.

In what contexts might I use "rather at once"?

While not common, "rather at once" could be used in literary contexts or situations where you want to convey a sense of old-fashioned urgency. However, in most modern contexts, alternatives will be more appropriate.