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I have read that 'rather a/an+adjective+noun' can be used with the meaning "moderately" or "more than average". Now I'm confused if I'm correct or not when writing the following sentences:

1.It's a rather boring movie, I don't recommend it.

2.It's rather a boring movie, I don't recommend it.

Which one is correct to use? Or both of them are correct?

Could we use 'rather' without using "a/an" in the sentences ?

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    Both sentences are idiomatic; the second is slightly more toffee-nosed. (The first person pronoun is always capitalized in English. In addition, we capitalize the first word in a sentence. You have asked 75 questions here; have you noticed the corrections made to them?)
    – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica
    Commented Sep 21, 2016 at 6:21
  • I think I have correctted them
    – yubraj
    Commented Sep 21, 2016 at 7:03
  • Well done...almost! Capitalization and punctuation are as important as grammar. Look closely at your question. You are to be congratulated for your efforts in any case.
    – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica
    Commented Sep 21, 2016 at 7:11
  • @P.E Dent,Can i use 'rather+adjectives+noun' for example. 1. It's rather boring movie. 2.we had to wait rather long time. again, if we use rather with verb, does it still give the sense of "moderately" in the sentences ?
    – yubraj
    Commented Sep 21, 2016 at 16:56
  • You can indeed use 'rather+adjectives+noun', but don't neglect the article: 1. It's a rather boring movie. 2. We had to wait rather a long time. It retains the sense of "moderately."
    – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica
    Commented Sep 21, 2016 at 20:31

1 Answer 1

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With a/an article, the adverb of degree rather is usually used before it:

rather + a/an + adjective + noun;

but "a + rather + adjective + noun" construction is also possible and is not less correct usage. (the source)

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  • I never knew that "rather an adjective noun" was correct, I've always used "a(n) rather adjective noun".
    – Cas
    Commented Sep 21, 2016 at 11:53
  • @Rompey, Can i use 'rather+adjectives+noun' for example. 1. It's rather boring movie. 2.we had to wait rather long time
    – yubraj
    Commented Sep 21, 2016 at 16:51
  • No, you should follow one of the two patterns, i.e with the indefinite article.
    – Victor B.
    Commented Sep 21, 2016 at 17:18

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