Nightmare85
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2009
- Member Type
- Interested in Language
- Native Language
- German
- Home Country
- Germany
- Current Location
- Germany
Hello guys,
Currently, I'm trying to understand that rule.
Today I found an interesting article:
Unfortunately, I can't see a real difference here:
2). I prefer starting early rather than leaving things to the last minute.
2). I stayed in bed all day instead of going to work.
(Does the second sentence need the "instead of" because it's past?)
To me all these examples are the same; better said: I don't see a real reason why to use "rather than" or "instead of".
How about these sentences:
Instead of waiting for some nice weather, you should quickly run to the mall until it's too late.
I would prefer less money rather than more work.
Today I'll drive my dad's car instead of my car.
You can learn more rather than playing all the time.
:?:
Cheers!
Currently, I'm trying to understand that rule.
Today I found an interesting article:
GMAT Grammar: Rather than vs Instead ofRather than - shows preference. This expression is generally used in 'parallel' structures. e.g - with two nouns, adjectives, adverbs, infinitives or -ing forms.
e.g
1). We ought to invest in machinery rather than buildings.
2). I prefer starting early rather than leaving things to the last minute.
When the main clause has a to - infinitive, rather than is usually followed by an infinitive without to or -ing form.
e.g - I decided to write rather than phone/phoning.
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
1). I'll have tea instead of coffee, please.
2). I stayed in bed all day instead of going to work.
3). Amit was invited to the reception, but he was ill, so Akash went instead of him.
Note - Instead (without of) is an adverb. It begins or ends a clause usually.
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
Unfortunately, I can't see a real difference here:
2). I prefer starting early rather than leaving things to the last minute.
2). I stayed in bed all day instead of going to work.
(Does the second sentence need the "instead of" because it's past?)
To me all these examples are the same; better said: I don't see a real reason why to use "rather than" or "instead of".
How about these sentences:
Instead of waiting for some nice weather, you should quickly run to the mall until it's too late.
I would prefer less money rather than more work.
Today I'll drive my dad's car instead of my car.
You can learn more rather than playing all the time.
:?:
Cheers!