It is rather a nuisance.
It is a rather nuisance.
Which sentence is correct, and what is the meaning of rather here?
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1 Answer
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.
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With all repsect to the MW-D I think it misses the nuisances of the way rather in Britsh English.en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/rather Rather can mean a significant amount not just a mild amount in British English. Jan 20, 2019 at 0:07