conjunction
rather than
RAH-thuh THAN
Rather than (conjunction) means used to introduce the option that is not being chosen, in place of another that is. Example: “We took the train rather than fly.”
conjunction
1
Used to introduce the option that is not being chosen, in place of another that is.
"We took the train rather than fly."
"Rather than argue, she just walked out."
preposition
1
Used before a noun to name what something is not, correcting an assumption.
"The problem is the wiring rather than the switch."
"It was a misunderstanding rather than a lie."
How to use rather than
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishInstead of.
When to use it
Neutral, and slightly more formal in writing than instead of. In the phrase would rather, than follows the verb: I'd rather walk than drive.
Memory tip
After rather than, match the form on the other side: 'she chose to walk rather than to drive', or 'she chose walking rather than driving' — not a mix of the two.
Easily confused with
instead of
other than
would rather
Common pairings
rather than the other way round
rather than risk
would rather ... than
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We took the train _____ fly.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between rather than and instead of?
They overlap heavily, but instead of takes a noun or -ing form and states a straight substitution, while rather than can also join two full verb phrases and often carries a note of preference or correction. 'He walked instead of driving' and 'he walked rather than drove' both work; only rather than fits 'the fault is mechanical rather than electrical'.
Does the verb after rather than take -ing or the base form?
Both are correct, and the choice follows the first verb. If the main clause has a to-infinitive or bare infinitive, use the base form ('I decided to wait rather than leave'). If rather than opens the sentence or follows a noun, -ing is usual ('Rather than waiting, she left').
Is the verb singular or plural in 'the manager, rather than the players, is to blame'?
Singular. Rather than does not create a compound subject, so the verb agrees with the first noun only — here, the manager.
What is the meaning of rather than?
"rather than" (conjunction) means used to introduce the option that is not being chosen, in place of another that is.
