[Grammar] than

[licinio]

I read this sentence:
Why not go by train rather than taking the car?
I understand than is a preposition and, as such, requires the gerund after it, but is it acceptable or current to say this in a different way?
Thanks,
Andrea

 

[bhaisahab]

I read this sentence:
Why not go by train rather than taking the car?
I understand than is a preposition and, as such, requires the gerund after it, but is it acceptable or current to say this in a different way?
Thanks,
Andrea

You will hear "...rather than take the car".

 

[TheParser]

I read this sentence:
Why not go by train rather than taking the car?
I understand than is a preposition and, as such, requires the gerund after it, but is it acceptable or current to say this in a different way?
Thanks,
Andrea

NOT A TEACHER


(1) I have great news for you!!!

(2) About two years ago, I found a short and to-the-point article

about this phrase.

(3) Just go to Google and type in these words:

The American Heritage Book of English usage "rather than"

(a) The third result will be a Google e-book version.

(b) The article will tell you everything that an ordinary

speaker would want to know about "rather than" -- I promise.

Good luck!!!


James

 

[licinio]

Thanks all, I also consulted Fowler's Modern English Usage that speaks of desirable parallel constructions with rather than followed by the infinitive or the gerund according to what precedes it, although mixed less careful contructions are also found.
Cheers,
Andrea