* Adverb: This is the most common use. It modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, often expressing preference or a slight degree of something.
* Example: "I'd rather stay home than go to the party." (modifying the verb "stay")
* Adjective: This is less common, but it can function as an adjective, meaning "more or less" or "somewhat."
* Example: "The weather was rather chilly." (modifying the adjective "chilly")
* Conjunction: It can also be used as a coordinating conjunction, similar to "but" or "yet", to connect two contrasting ideas.
* Example: "I like cake, rather I love it!" (connecting the two phrases)
It's important to consider the context of the sentence to determine the correct part of speech for "rather".