teekayy wrote:What are the rules in applying each of these: instead of, rather than, in contrast with, as opposed to? Don't they all practically mean the same thing?
For GMAT, they are not same
Rather X than Y ( means X is preferred for Y)-PREFERENCE
X instead of Y ( Y must be replaced with X)-REPLACEMENT
As an additonal note, Rather than is more popular on GMAT
In contrast with X, Y-CONTRAST
X, Y are being contrasted
X, Y must be grammatically and logically parallel
