Rather as a single word is an adverb. … Students should not confuse would rather…than with the two-word preposition rather than, which
never separates
and has the meaning of instead of.
How do you use rather than?
Typically, the base forms of the verbs are used (often with to omitted before the verb following rather than). For exercise, I walk rather than run. He decided to call rather than text. Rather than repair the car, I prefer to buy a new one.
How do you use rather in a sentence?
- No, if one of us has to get snowed in up here, I'd rather it was me. …
- Thanks, but I'd rather go alone. …
- I ignored her question rather than lie. …
- Maybe he'd rather listen than talk. …
- It's a subject I'd rather not discuss. …
- But if you'd rather take them off, go ahead.
Which is correct rather than or rather then?
“then” have very different uses. Then is commonly used to express a sense of time or what comes next or used to be. Than is used to form comparisons between two things. So correct option is “
Rather than
“.
What comes after rather than?
The expression ‘would rather' is followed by
the bare infinitive
(the infinitive without ‘to').
What does rather than mean?
1 —used with the infinitive form of a verb to indicate
negation
as a contrary choice or wish rather than continue the argument, he walked awaychose to sing rather than play violin. 2 : and not obscures rather than resolves the problem why do one thing rather than another?
What is the difference between prefer and rather?
The easiest way to look at this is: rather is followed by a verb – Example – I rather go to the mall. prefer is followed by
an infinitive
– Example – I prefer to go to the mall.
What is another word for rather than?
| instead alternatively | as a substitute preferably | alternately as another option | by way of an alternative in preference | on the other hand by contrast |
|---|
Do we put comma after Rather?
The phrase “or rather” is preceded by a comma
, and it along with the phrase or clause adjoined to it may be followed by a comma or a period, depending on where it is in the sentence.
How do you use rather And instead in a sentence?
- I walk rather than run.
- I walk instead of running.
- I eat apples rather than oranges.
- I eat apples instead of oranges.
- I walk quickly instead of quietly.
- I walk quickly rather than quietly.
Is rather than formal?
The short answer is that in most cases, the two phrases are interchangeable, although
“rather than” often has a more formal tone than “instead of
.” … The phrase rather than consists of an adverb and a conjunction and often means “and not,” as in I decided to skip lunch rather than eat in the cafeteria again.
How do you use the word instead in a sentence?
- I will try to make friends instead of enemies. …
- I always pictured myself driving a van instead of a truck. …
- Instead of dining out, we ordered a couple of pizzas. …
- Instead of improving, Destiny got steadily worse. …
- Instead of shifting with each step, the ground felt solid.
Would prefer and would rather?
Would rather is
followed by the infinitive without to
. Would prefer is followed by to + infinitive or a noun. I'd rather have fruit juice. I'd prefer to have fruit juice.
How do you punctuate rather in a sentence?
Final Thoughts. You can use “rather”
after a comma
if you're using it as a parenthetical interrupter. More commonly, you will use it after a period or semicolon at the beginning of a sentence, followed by a comma, as a conjunctive adverb to contrast something from the previous sentence. “Rather” is a super word.
What does I would rather mean?
—used to indicate what one wants or prefers to do, have, etc. She would rather drive than take the train. I would
rather you didn't tell them
. “If you'd rather, we can go outside.” “No, thanks—I'd rather not.”Which beach would you rather go to?
What does instead of mean?
: in place of :
as a substitute for or alternative to chose tea instead of coffee
.
