Page 211 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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Rather can modify verbs (especially verbs that refer to thoughts and feelings) and nouns.
I rather think we're going to lose. She rather likes gardening. It was rather a disappointment.
For word order rules and other details of the use of rather. see 490. pretty
Pretty (informal) is like rather, but only modifies adjectives and adverbs. How's things? ~ Pretty good. You OK?
You're driving pretty fast.
Pretty well means 'almost'. I've pretty weU finished.
far and a long way
far in questions and negatives
Far is most common in questions and negative clauses.
How far did you walk? The youth hostel is not far from here.
In affirmative clauses we usually prefer a long way. We walked a long way. (NOT We wtIlketi: ja,.) The station is a long way from here.
(More natural than The station is far from here.) far in affirmative clauses
However, far is normal in affirmative clauses with too, enough, as and so. She's gone far enough. - A bit too far.
It's ready as far as I know.
Anyproblems?- OKsofar.
far with comparatives etc
Far is also used (in all kinds of clauses) to modify comparatives, superlatives and too.
She's far older than her husband. This bike is by far the best.
You're far too young to get married.
before a noun: a far country
Far can be used as an adjective before a noun, meaning 'distant'. This is rather formal and old-fashioned.
Long ago, in a far country, there lived a woman who had seven sons.
Much. many and long (for lime) are also more common in questions and negative sentences (see 357 and 330).
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