rather than/instead of

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Anonymous

#544609 Mon, 21 Jul 08 06:20 PM

Hi,
What is the difference between 'rather than' and 'instead of'?

Rather than cause trouble, he left.
Instead of causing trouble, he left.

Thanks.

Anonymous

Difference between

Clive

#544616 Mon, 21 Jul 08 06:52 PM

Hi,

What is the difference between 'rather than' and 'instead of'?

Rather than cause trouble, he left.
Instead of causing trouble, he left.
A lot depends on the context of these phrases, and often there is no real difference.
Here are a couple of general comments.

'Rather than' - More subjective. Suggests he left because he didn't want to cause trouble.

'Instead of' - More objective. Focuses on the fact that there were two alternatives, ie 'cause trouble' and 'leave'. He performed the latter action.

Best wishes, Clive

Clive

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (21,191)

El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

Difference between

Anonymous

#544632 Mon, 21 Jul 08 08:27 PM

Hi Clive,

Your explanation is great. Can I use 'would rather... than' instead of 'rather than' here? For example,

"He would rather leave than cause trouble."

Does the sentence mean the same as

"Rather than cause trouble, he left."

Thanks!

Anonymous

Clive

#544640 Mon, 21 Jul 08 09:21 PM

Hi again,

Can I use 'would rather... than' instead of 'rather than' here? For example,

"He would rather leave than cause trouble." This is correct grammar. However, it discusses a conditional/hypothetical situation.
eg If someone Tom didn't like came in, he (Tom) would rather leave than cause trouble.

Does the sentence mean the same as

"Rather than cause trouble, he left." This discusses an actual past event.

Clive