17.80
(d) Revision
Under this heading we may include the form of 'editing' or 'self-correction' that is typical of impromptu spoken English where execution and planning, at least to some extent, take place simultaneously. [...] We may distinguish some different types:
'Nuance editing' by the use of or rather before a substituted expression, as in:
She puts such vitality (or rather virility) into her play.
'Mistake editing' by the use of I mean in order to correct a phonological or semantic mistake (which is common enough in impromptu speech), eg:
Then you add the peaches - I mean, the apricots...
(A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language; R. Quirk)
It seems to me that 'or rather' is also often used in 'mistake editing':
Then you add the peaches, or rather the apricots.
Would you be so kind as to tell me whether my observation is correct?
Thanks.
(d) Revision
Under this heading we may include the form of 'editing' or 'self-correction' that is typical of impromptu spoken English where execution and planning, at least to some extent, take place simultaneously. [...] We may distinguish some different types:
'Nuance editing' by the use of or rather before a substituted expression, as in:
She puts such vitality (or rather virility) into her play.
'Mistake editing' by the use of I mean in order to correct a phonological or semantic mistake (which is common enough in impromptu speech), eg:
Then you add the peaches - I mean, the apricots...
(A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language; R. Quirk)
It seems to me that 'or rather' is also often used in 'mistake editing':
Then you add the peaches, or rather the apricots.
Would you be so kind as to tell me whether my observation is correct?
Thanks.