conjunction/phrase · neutral
rather than
UK/ˈrɑːðə ðən/US/ˈræðər ðən/RATH·er than
speakingtask2
used to indicate preference for one thing over another
Examples
“She chose to walk rather than take the bus.”
“They invested in education rather than defense.”
“I would study now rather than regret it later.”
Band 8 sentence
“The government should incentivise renewable energy rather than subsidise fossil fuels.”
Collocations
- rather than + verb (base) / noun
- would rather + base verb
- rather than + V-ing (also possible in informal registers)
Word family
rather adverb
Common mistakes
She decided rather than to stay at home.→She decided to stay at home rather than go out.
I prefer tea rather than coffee in the morning.→I prefer tea to coffee in the morning.
Say it for a higher band
5instead of→6instead→7+rather than
Synonyms
instead of
Easily confused
instead of
“He drank water instead of soda.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Contrast
Learn it with its set