rather this is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather this is" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to contrast or clarify a point, but it lacks proper grammatical structure. Example: "I thought the meeting was about budget cuts; rather, this is a discussion on team expansion."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

This is not just happening here in Southern California but rather this is a small selection of individuals that speak to a larger community.

Huffington Post

Rather, this is an exercise in nostalgia.

The New York Times - Arts

Rather, this is corporate welfare.

The New York Times

"Rather, this is a declaration of diplomatic intentions".

The New York Times

Rather, this is a matter of respect, of recognition.

The New York Times

Or rather, this is what masquerades as a serious policy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

I don't say this negatively rather, this is the magic of social networks.

TechCrunch

Rather this is the way in which all cultures work.

Huffington Post

He Named Me Malala is playing in Thisters now.

Vice

Rather, this is the way that seems to work for us.

Huffington Post

Rather, this is the status quo of development in New York City.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to contrast or clarify, replace "rather this is" with grammatically correct alternatives like "instead, it is" or "more accurately, it is" to ensure clarity and avoid grammatical errors.

Common error

Don't use "rather this is" as a shortcut for expressing contrast or clarification. While common, it's grammatically incorrect and can undermine the credibility of your writing. Always opt for a grammatically sound alternative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather this is" functions as a discourse marker intended to introduce a contrast or clarification. However, according to Ludwig, it is grammatically incorrect in standard written English. Examples in Ludwig show its use to reframe a statement or offer an alternative perspective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

14%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "rather this is" is frequently used across various platforms, Ludwig identifies it as grammatically incorrect in standard written English. It is intended to introduce contrast or clarification but should be replaced with more grammatically sound alternatives such as "instead it is" or "more accurately it is". Usage is common in news and media, but careful writers should opt for correct alternatives, especially in formal contexts, to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instead, it is

Emphasizes a substitution or replacement of one thing with another.

more accurately, it is

Highlights a more precise or correct statement.

in reality, it is

Focuses on the true or actual state of affairs.

actually, it is

Introduces a correction or clarification of a previous statement.

more precisely, it is

Indicates a refinement or greater detail in the explanation.

to be exact, it is

Clarifies by providing an exact or specific detail.

put differently, it is

Offers an alternative phrasing for better understanding.

in other words, it is

Restates the idea in a simpler or clearer way.

to clarify, it is

Introduces an explanation to make the meaning clearer.

on the contrary, it is

Expresses a direct opposition to a previous statement.

FAQs

How can I correctly express contrast instead of using "rather this is"?

You can use alternatives such as "instead it is", "more accurately it is", or "in reality it is" to convey a contrasting point in a grammatically correct way.

What are some formal alternatives to "rather this is" in academic writing?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "moreover it is", "furthermore it is", or "more specifically it is" for a more polished and grammatically sound expression.

Is "rather this is" grammatically correct in English?

No, "rather this is" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. It's better to use phrases like "instead it is" or "rather it is".

What's the difference between "rather this is" and "rather, it is"?

While "rather this is" is considered grammatically incorrect, "rather, it is" is grammatically sound. The latter correctly uses the pronoun "it" to refer to a subject, making the sentence structurally valid.