Rather vs Instead

This topic has expert replies
Legendary Member
Posts: 594
Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:51 pm
Thanked: 12 times

Rather vs Instead

by nervesofsteel » Tue Apr 06, 2010 4:57 pm
According to some analysts, the gains in the stock market reflect growing confidence that the economy will avoid the recession that many had feared earlier in the year and instead come in for a "soft landing," followed by a gradual increase in business activity.

(A) that the economy will avoid the recession that many had feared earlier in the year and instead come
(B) in the economy to avoid the recession, what many feared earlier in the year, rather to come
(C) in the economy's ability to avoid the recession, something earlier in the year many had feared, and instead to come
(D) in the economy to avoid the recession many were fearing earlier in the year, and rather to come
(E) that the economy will avoid the recession that was feared earlier this year by many, with it instead coming
Source: — Sentence Correction |

Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 167
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 12:04 pm
Thanked: 4 times

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 91
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:05 pm
Location: Mumbai, India
Thanked: 33 times
Followed by:42 members

by arpita@gurome » Wed Apr 07, 2010 1:36 am
The "rather" vs. instead" debate is perhaps as old as the GMAT itself. And as is true in majority of such questions, "rather" vs. "instead" is really not the issue here.

Here is my explanation: the original sentence is correct. Note that the second subordinate clause "that many had feared earlier" is actually part of the first subordinate clause, "that the economy would avoid the recession...".

(B) is incorrect because "in the economy to avoid the recession" is awkward. Moreover, "what many feared earlier in the year, rather to come" is poor grammatical construction. (C) and (D) follow similar awkward construction - "in the economy's ability to..." and "in the economy to...". (E) is verbose because of the use of passive voice, "...that was feared earlier this year..."

Legendary Member
Posts: 594
Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:51 pm
Thanked: 12 times

by nervesofsteel » Wed Apr 07, 2010 5:24 pm
Thanks .. I was under the impression that GMAT prefers RATHER than over Instead of ..
So was a bit biased towards the option with Rather Than...

Good to learn new things

• Page 1 of 1