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It is rather a nuisance.

It is a rather nuisance.

Which sentence is correct, and what is the meaning of rather here?

CinCout
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user87081
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1 Answers1

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This is from MW-D definition #5 of 'rather'.

5: in some degree : SOMEWHAT

e.g. it's rather warm

—often used as a mild intensive

e.g. spent rather a lot of money

The correct sentence is: It is rather a nuisance. 'Rather' is an adverb modifying 'is' and positioned after it. It cannot be placed between 'a' and 'nuisance' as only something being used as an adjective could appear within a noun phrase like that.

Ross Murray
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  • With all repsect to the MW-D I think it misses the nuisances of the way rather in Britsh English.https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/rather Rather can mean a significant amount not just a mild amount in British English. – Sarriesfan Jan 20 '19 at 00:07