Learn How to Pronounce rather

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rather

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈrɑːðə

Examples:

Some of them are rather abstruse.

But the price is quite high at the moment and the market rather volatile.

The bulldog section is quite inadequate and rather botched at the moment.

Learn more about:
rather

Related Words:

pretty

some

quite

How to perfect your pronunciation of: rather

Learn Individual Sounds

Break rather down into individual sounds such as ˈrɑːðə. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

Copy Others

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Pick an Accent

Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

Record Yourself

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Common mistakes of rather pronunciation

Misplacing the stress: Some learners place stress incorrectly on the second syllable, pronouncing it as /ˈræθər/ instead of /ˈræðər/. Tip: Remember to emphasize the first syllable with "r" and "a".
Confusing vowel sounds: The vowel in "rather" may be pronounced as /æ/ instead of /ɑː/. This leads to a mispronunciation that sounds like "rath-er". Tip: Focus on the "a" sounding like "ah" in "father".
Dropping the "t": Many speakers omit the "t" sound, saying "ra-ther" instead of "rather" /ˈræðər/. Tip: Practice emphasizing the "t" to ensure clarity in your pronunciation.
Blending with adjacent words: In fast speech, "rather" may blend into the next word, making it sound like "rath-er" or "ra-ther". Tip: Slow down your speech to maintain the distinct pronunciation of "rather".
Overemphasizing the "th": Some learners pronounce the "th" too heavily, making it sound like "rath-er". This is incorrect in both US and UK pronunciations. Tip: Keep the "th" soft, as in "this", for correct pronunciation.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "rather" in American English?

In American English, "rather" is pronounced as /ˈræðər/. The first syllable has a strong stress, and the "a" sounds like the short "a" in "cat."

What is the British pronunciation of "rather"?

In British English, "rather" is pronounced as /ˈrɑːðə/. The first syllable is also stressed, but the "a" sounds more like the "a" in "father."

Is there a schwa sound in "rather"?

Yes, in both American and British pronunciations, the second syllable of "rather" features a schwa sound, represented as /ə/. This makes the pronunciation smoother and less emphasized.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "rather"?

Many learners mistakenly pronounce "rather" with equal stress on both syllables or misplace the vowel sounds. Remember to stress the first syllable and use the correct vowel sounds for clarity.