Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Rather than vs Instead of


Rather 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.



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
















Mr. EGG explains the usage in simple way via cartoon on the link below: 

rather than usage


To understand the use of the above concept view questions 22 and 23 by clicking on the link below.

http://gmatsentencecorrection.blogspot.com/