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It is always better to start early rather than leave everything to the last
minute.
When the main clause has a to-infinitive, rather than is usually followed by
an infinitive without to. An ing form is also possible.
Would rather
Tenses
After would rather, we can use a past tense with a present or future meaning.
rather
Isn't it rather late (=a little too late)to start changing all the arrangements?
would rather
used to say that you would prefer to do or have something:
I'd rather you didn't go out alone (=I do not want you to go).
rather than
instead of:
Rather than go straight on to university why not get some work experience first?
or rather
used before correcting something that you have said, or giving more specific information:
The problem is not their lack of funding, but rather their lack of planning.
7
Rather!
British Englishspokenold-fashionedused to agree with someone
WORD CHOICE:
rather, fairly, quite, prettyRather, fairly, quite, and pretty are all used to say that something is
true to some degree, but not completely or extremely She's rather shy. You should find the
test fairly easy. It took quite a long time (NOT a quite long time). His English is pretty
good.Rather is fairly formal but can be used in spoken English, especially British English. In
American English it is more usual to use pretty. In both American and British English, pretty is
more usual in speech than in writing.Quitecan also be used in front of an adjective or adverb,
and in British English a verb, to mean 'completely'. This is a fairly formal use You are quite
wrong. I quite understand your feelings.
e.g
When the main clause has a to - infinitive, rather than is usually followed by an infinitive without
to or -ing form.
Instead of - suggests that one person, thing or action replaces another. Instead is not used alone
as a preposition; we use the two words instead of.
Instead of is not usually followed by an infinitive.
e.g
e.g - She didn't go to Greece after all. Instead , she went to America.
NOTE :
Usage --- instead of + noun phrase. Instead of is only a preposition and can introduce only a
phrase i.e no verb
Usage --- rather than + verb (or) rather than + noun. Further rather than can act as a preposition
and can introduce a prepositional phrase or can act as a conjunction and introduce a clause
WEBSITE:
Rather
Comparative preference
Prefer X to Y
WOULD PREFER TO WOULD PREFERRATHER THAN
We express preference with would prefer X to Y. Speakers tend to switch from prefer X to Y to prefer X
Parallel (syntactically alike) wording is used. rather than Y when the options consist of infinitives or
that-clauses. (MWDEU 760)
I would going in the morning to (going) in the I would that we walk rather than (that we)
prefer evening (gerund clause) prefer drive.
I would outside the restaurant to inside the I would to be done rather than to be
prefer restaurant (prep. phrase) prefer working.
Would rather X than Y
WOULD you RATHER X OR Y WOULD RATHER X THAN Y
We use would you rather X or Y? to ask preference Would rather than also coordinates two options
between two items. Parallel (syntactically alike) wording phrased with parallel wording. (When parallel phrasing
is used before and after to. (Or functions as a is used than is more conjunction. When non parallel
conjunction.) phrasing is used than is more preposition.)
Would rather leave at 8:00 or wait until 9:00? I would rather leave at 9:00 than 8:00.
you
Would rather that I call you or that you call me? I would rather (that) I call you than (that) you call
you me..
After the comparative use of than we use the auxiliary After the comparative use of rather than we use a
verb. nonfinite verb form (a "secondary" verb form that is not
marked with tense.)
SIMPLE COMPARATIVE keeps auxiliary after than (parr all el MODAL TENSE keeps nonfinite verb after than
reduced clause)
He will "thumb" a ride rather than [he will] pay the
He dislikes traffic more than you do. bus fare. (thumb hitchhike) [X and not Y]
He feels pain more intensely than everyone else He'd rather leave at 4 a.m. than [he would ] get stuck
does. (verb remains from a reduced clause) in traffic. (stuck not moving) [X to avoid Y]
(Getting stuck in traffic is something that drives him crazy.)
Rather than
#1 RATHER THAN X NOT Y "In preference to" #2 RATHER THAN choosing X to avoid Y
We use rather than to show comparative preference for Rather than also functions as an adverb with a
the first of two paired elements: adjectives, adverbs, comparative meaning "taking the contrary choice as
infinitives & gerunds clauses, prepositional phrases and the preferred one", perhaps, as a judgment of what is
verbs. Rather than coordinates syntactically alike right or logical. This particular use of rather than is
items. The meaning is X (and) not Y (conjunction) "in commonly followed by a bare infinitive (base verb
stead of". . The passive voice can be formed in these form) . The verb of the main clause is in present,
sentences.(CaGEL not in coordination 811, rather, 1128) past , or a modal verb from. The passive voice
cannot be formed in these sentences.
Ed worked rather than carefully on his Ed will go to court rather pay his parking
carelessly projects. (parallel than fines.
adverbs)
Ed wanted success rather than failure. (parallel nouns) Ed would eat nails rather pay his parking
than tickets.
Ed kept rather than told his secrets. Ed preferred to go rather pay an unfair
(verbs) to jail than parking fine.
Ed walked rather than ran. (verbs) Ed contests a ticket rather just *pay / paying it.
in court than (ex. 3rd per.)
Ed enjoys walking rather than running. (gerund Ed has been rather *do / doing his
for relaxation nonfinite clause) making excuses than homework (ex.
progressive)
Ed prefers to walk rather than run. (infinitive nonfinite Ed is making rather *do / doing his
clause) excuses than homework (ex.
progressive)
Less rather than more homework was Excuses were made rather *home work done (no
wanted by Ed. (passive up than passive possible)
is possible)
*Note that 3rd-person, present tense sounds awkward with the bare infinitive verb form, so speakers often switch to a
gerund.
contest (v.) oppose something (an action, decision, or theory) as mistaken or wrong
(2) Merriam Webster Dictionary expresses the meaning as " indicate negation as a contrary choice or wish".
(2) Huddleston expresses the meaning as "taking the contrary choice as the preferred one" (GGEL rather, 1128; expressions
based on comparison, 1317)
Rather than (X not Y) occurs in a clause after various Rather than (X to avoid Y) than is a preposition
tenses. The verb after rather than has a parallel verb with a clause as its complement. The clause usually
form has a base verb form (bare infinitive), but may also
have a gerund as will be discussed in the next
section.
SUBJECT VERB COORDINATOR PARALLEL VERB FORM SUBJECT VERB ADVERB + CLAUSE: BARE-FORM
PREP VERB
Ed walks rather than drives to work. Ed prefers to
(present) (and) not (present) bike rather waste time waiting
(conj) than for buses.
instead of sooner (driving is a faster way to
get there)
(prep) than
Ed walked rather than drove to work. (past) Ed bikes to rather %waste / wasting
(past) work than time waiting for
buses.
(driving is a faster way to
get there)
Ed will walk rather than drive to work. (bare Ed will take rather lay off any
prefers to form) a pay cut than coworkers.
walk (saving money allows
keeping employees)
Ed is rather than driving to work. He will ride rather get caught in traffic.
walking (gerund) his bike than (driving involves traffic, the
train does not)
has been
walking
enjoys
walking
Eddie Jr. was rather than driven to school. Ed went to rather pay his parking fines.
Ed walked (passive + participle) jail than (jail time takes the place of
driven to work. paying fines)
has
(passive + participle)
walked
%Some speakers use the bare form, other speakers use a gerund with 3rd person sing., present tense.
Also see nonfinite
Rather than
When a rather than clause begins a sentence, the When rather than coordinates elements that are not
verb form can be the base verb form (bare infinitival) or syntactically alike (unparallel), or the verb of the main
the gerund verb form. The choice depends on 1) clause is a past or progressive form, we tend to switch
whether the sentence is worded in a parallel manner, to the gerund form after rather than.
and 2) whether parallel wording of the verb phrase in
the sentence will allow it.
Rather than take the bus, we drive our car to work. Rather than *take/ taking the bus to work, we much
(parallel bare infinitive is preferred) prefer to drive when we can. (unparallel gerund)
Rather than take stock, they went on without a plan. Rather than taking stock, they continued to spend and
spend until there was nothing left.
Rather than take the bus, Ed will/ could/ should/ walk Rather than taking the bus, Ed will be walking to
to work. (modal) work.
Rather than take the bus, Ed walks to work. (present Rather than taking the bus, Ed is walking to work.
habit)
Rather than take the bus, Ed prefers to walk to work.
(present + infinitive)
Rather than %take/ taking the bus, Ed enjoys walking
to work. (present + gerund)
Rather than %take/ taking the bus, Ed walked. (% past Rather than taking the bus, Ed was walking to work.
tense)
% some people use the bare infinitive and others use a gerund
*bare infinitive the infinitive verb form without to
take stock to take inventory (evaluate supplies); make sure of the facts in regard to something
Implied Meaning bare infinitive vs. gerund
#2 RATHER THAN ( X to avoid Y) SUBJECTIVE #2 RATHER THAN (X to avoid Y) OBJECTIVE
When using the bare infinitive after rather than, one When using a gerund after rather than, the effect is
interprets the meaning as "the speaker includes his/her more descriptive. Speakers are more likely to use a
evaluation of truth, what is right, what is logical", The gerund after rather than when the main verb is
person is "taking the contrary choice as the preferred progressive or present perfect tense. Perhaps, the
one" a judgment of what is right or logical. In this focus on the aspect of the verb takes focus away from
sense, the use of the bare infinitive after rather than the modality of the verb.
occurs when the main verb is a modal (will, would),
present or past tense.
BARE INFINITIVE TAKES A STAND IN THE JUDGMENT OF GERUND DESCRIPTIVE OF ACTIVITY WITH MORE FOCUS
TRUTH, RIGHT OR WHAT IS LOGICAL ON ASPECT RATHER THAN MODALITY
They will go on strike rather than accept what They are going on strike rather than *accept /
management offers them. accepting what management offered them.
(Implied: accepting the management's offer would be humiliating.)
He went to jail rather than pay his parking tickets. He was going to jail rather than *pay / paying his
(Implied: paying his parking tickets would be an admission of guilt.) parking fines. (description of a habitual action)
He made excuses rather than do his homework. He has been making excuses rather than *do /
(Implied: doing his homework would require more effort) doing his homework. (description of a habitual action)
We reason with him rather than get angry with him. We reason with him rather than get/ getting angry
(Implied: getting angry would be less effective.) with him.
modality the speaker's attitude, opinion or evaluation of the activity; also see alethic modality
aspect indicates information, such as duration, completion, or frequency, as it relates to the time of action
"Rather than"
BARE INFINITIVE We decided to take a map with us rather than [to] get
lost.
We decided to take a map with us rather than to get (The bare infinitive does not include to.)
lost.
AWKWARD TENSE USE Rather than get lost, we'll take a map with us. (Use a
modal or present tense.)
Rather than get lost, we are taking a map with us.
(awkward wording tense use)
Rather than get lost, we have taken a map with us. Rather than get lost, we take a map with us. (Use present
(awkward wording tense use) habitual.)
Rather than getting lost, we took a map with us. (Use
past habitual.)
PLACEMENT OF "RATHER THAN" He went to jail rather than pay his fines. (Place rather
than after the first verb phrase if coordinating two verb phrases.)
*He rather went to jail than pay his fines. (awkward He would rather go to jail than pay his fines. (Place
wording placement) rather before the verb if using would rather.)
*He went rather to jail than to pay his fines.
"RATHER THAN" WITH 3RD PERSON-PRESENT TENSE He asks for what he wants rather than getting upset.
(While the bare infinitive may be considered more formal by some,
He asks for what he wants rather than get / getting other speakers use the -ing form here. Note that the bare infinitives
seems to sound better in coordination with modal, present and
upset. 3rd person rather than ( X to avoid Y)
sometimes past tense verbs.)
COMPARE TO: He asks for what he wants rather than
whines. rather than (X not Y)
"RATHER THAN" IN A COMPARATIVE SENTENCE The group is more active in pursuing their own
interests than the interests of the country.
The group is more active in pursuing their own (In a comparative sentence of this type, use morethan or -erthan.)
interests rather than the interests of the country.
Grammar Notes
(X not Y) (X not Y)
He took the laptop rather than the iPad. an adverb and a He took the laptop rather than the iPad. a coordinator
conjunction that forms a comparative expression used in a comparative expression with a parallel complement type
X to avoid Y X to avoid Y
He makes excuses rather than admit he is wrong. He makes excuses rather than admit / admitting he
is wrong. preposition followed by a gerund phrase)
Than is a preposition (not an adverb) that accepts a wide range of complements. (A number of words that were
previously analyzed as adverbs are now analyzed as prepositions.) (CaGEL 612)
Clause; Subject / Predicate; Finite / Nonfinite; NP noun phrase; N noun; VP verb phrase; V verb; Comp
complement; Coord coordinator; Det determiner; PP prepositional phrase; P preposition; Sub Subordinator
Complement Types of Prepositions: "instead of" and "rather than:
He took the laptop instead of the iPad. NP (noun phrase) He took the laptop rather than the iPad.
We'll go now instead of in the morning. PP We'll go nowrather than in the morning.
I felt humiliated instead of proud of my AdjP I felt humiliated rather than proud of my
self. self.
He spoke timidly instead of competently. AdvjP He spoke timidly rather than competently.
We want them to be bold instead of be bare infinitival *We want them to be bold rather than be
cautious. cautious.
*It's better to continue instead of (to) wait. infinitival It's better to continue rather than (to) wait.
We prefer moving on instead of waiting. gerund-participle We prefer moving on rather than waiting.
He said that "it" was regretful instead of declarative clause He said that "it" was regretful rather than
that he was sorry. that he was sorry.
They told me I had tried hard instead of closed interrogative They told me I had tried hard rather than
whether I had succeeded. whether I had succeeded.
They told me where I had to go instead of open interrogative They told me where I had to go rather
when I had to go. thanwhen I had to go.
He asked that they be heard instead of that subjunctive clause He asked that they be heard rather than
they be sent away. that they be sent away.
"The prototypical PP has the form of a preposition as head and a NP as complement Prepositions allow a wide
range of complement type." (CaGEL 642)
Notable Comments
Rather "contains the comparative suffix -er but the original base rather (meaning "soon") has been lost,
so that rather is no longer analysable as an inflectional comparative. It nevertheless retains clear
semantic and syntactic affinities with ordinary comparative constructions." (CaGEL 1128)
Rather than I'd rather resign than accept such humiliation. "Here it is an adverb with a comparative
meaning: approximately "more readily, in preference to". There are also uses where this meaning is
largely or wholly lost a change facilitated by the fact that the morphological base rath- no longer
occurs without the -er suffix." (CaGEL 1317)
Than " The most usual position for the comparative is at the end of the clause containing the
comparative phrase" (1106); "Bob is more generous than Liz" Liz can be regarded as a "reduced
clause" or as an "immediate complement NP" (CaGEL 1113)
Conjunction or Preposition "The question that puzzled Fowler was whether rather than always
operated as a conjunction and thus had the same construction before as it had after, or whether it could
also operate as a preposition and so connect dissimilar constructions. We will simply point that rather
than does function like a preposition.
'Rather than argue for the overthrow of the entire system, the Colonists realized...that the basic values of
British law were still valid. Daniel Sisson.
But when parallel constructions appear on each side of rather than, it is functioning like a conjunction:
" ...implicating them, this time subtly rather than powerfully J. I. M.Stewart"
(MWDEU 797)
"Than is both a conjunction and a preposition. In current usage than is more often a conjunction than
a preposition... me after the preposition is more common in speech than in edited prose." (MWDEU 892)
Resources
"Rather." Fowler's Modern English Usage. Ed. R. W. Burchfield. Rev. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford
University Press, 2004. Print.
Huddleston, Rodney and Geoffrey K. Pullum. "Rather." The Cambridge Grammar of the English
Language (CaGEL). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Print. (1128, 1317)
"Rather than." Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage (MWDEU). Springfield, MA: Merriam-
Webster, 1994.Print. (760, 797; indirect and matrix-licensed non-finite complements 1262; )
Swan, Michael."Rather than." Practical English Usage. 4th ed. 2009: Oxford University Press. Print.
(491.1-4)
Practice 1
Supermarket Grazing
1. Select the word from the list that best completes the sentence.
2. Compare your response to the answer on the right.
1.
Rather than lunch, Norman
goes to the supermarket and eats food samples.
2. In fact, he would rather spend a Saturday afternoon
"grazing" at the supermarket than at home.
grazing lightly eating while walking; mostly said of cattle, sheep and goats
4.
6.
8.
9.
Rather than fill his hand-basket, he his mouth
with tasty cut-up pieces of cheese.
10
Reset
Weinberg, Gary. "The Definitive Guide for Food Grazing (for free) at Costco." 26 Mar 2010. Web.
http://goodgreasyeats.com/2010/03/26/special-report-eat-free-costco/
Practice 2
Random Lines
Feedback 11
Feedback 12
Feedback 13
14. I'd rather letting go than take the risk and get
hurt. Correct / more formal Incorrect / more
infomal
let go (n.) stop holding something or someone
risk (n.) the possibility or the chance that something bad, Feedback 14
unpleasant, or dangerous may happen