Prefers....to/ Prefers.....rather than

[Barman]

1) Ordinarily, when in difficulty, Ruchi prefers keeping her counsel to run about taking advice.

2) Ordinarily, when in difficulty, Ruchi prefers to keep her counsel rather than to run about to take advice.

Are both of the above sentences grammatically correct?

 

[jutfrank]

Let's deal with the grammar of sentence 1 first.

When you use the pattern prefer X to Y, make sure that both X and Y are in the -ing form.

 

[Barman]

Let's deal with the grammar of sentence 1 first.

When you use the pattern prefer X to Y, make sure that both X and Y are in the -ing form.

Then the sentence would be- 'Ordinarily, when in difficulty, Ruchi prefers keeping her counsel to running about taking advice.'

Am I right?

 

[jutfrank]

Then the sentence would be- 'Ordinarily, when in difficulty, Ruchi prefers keeping her counsel to running about taking advice.'

Am I right?

Yes, that's exactly what I meant. The structure is correct now. Well done.

I'll let other members comment on the actual content of the sentence.

 

[Barman]

Let's deal with the grammar of sentence 1 first.

What about the sentence 2)?

Could you please explain?

 

[jutfrank]

Yes, the structure of sentence 2 is correct.

 

[Tarheel]

The phrase "run about taking advice" seems to be an entirely new construction.