How would you determine which one is correct?
The confusion between rather than and instead of continues to linger among the GMAT Takers. Let's clear this GMAT Sentence Correction query once and for all.
Rather Than vs Instead Of
Instead of: Keep the following tips in mind whenever you see "instead of" creeping in your sentence correction questions.
1. Instead is never used alone as a preposition. We use the two words "Instead of".
I will have lemonade instead of shake.
2. Instead of is not usually followed by an infinitive (-to).
TG worked all day instead of taking rest (not instead of to take rest)
3. When instead is used as an adverb, it is used without of. In that case, the sentence usually starts or ends with 'instead'.
He didn't buy shoes after all. Instead, he bought flip flops .
Don't buy shoes. Buy flip flops instead.
4. Instead does not show preference, it shows replacement.
I was about to give the presentation, but I fell ill, so TG gave the presentation instead of me. (meaning: TG replaced me)
Rather Than
The biggest difference between instead of and rather than is that 'instead of' shows replacement while 'rather than' shows preference.
1. Rather than is generally used in parallel constructions: with two nouns, adjectives, infinitives, adverbs or -ing forms.
I'd prefer to marry in February rather than in June.
I'd call him a smart worker rather than a hard worker.
2. When the main clause has to-infinitive, rather than is usually followed by an infinitive without to or an -ing form.
I decided to write a post rather than surf/surfing the internet.
Rather than complain/ complaining, you should try to make changes.
Hope it may help !!
The confusion between rather than and instead of continues to linger among the GMAT Takers. Let's clear this GMAT Sentence Correction query once and for all.
Rather Than vs Instead Of
Instead of: Keep the following tips in mind whenever you see "instead of" creeping in your sentence correction questions.
1. Instead is never used alone as a preposition. We use the two words "Instead of".
I will have lemonade instead of shake.
2. Instead of is not usually followed by an infinitive (-to).
TG worked all day instead of taking rest (not instead of to take rest)
3. When instead is used as an adverb, it is used without of. In that case, the sentence usually starts or ends with 'instead'.
He didn't buy shoes after all. Instead, he bought flip flops .
Don't buy shoes. Buy flip flops instead.
4. Instead does not show preference, it shows replacement.
I was about to give the presentation, but I fell ill, so TG gave the presentation instead of me. (meaning: TG replaced me)
Rather Than
The biggest difference between instead of and rather than is that 'instead of' shows replacement while 'rather than' shows preference.
1. Rather than is generally used in parallel constructions: with two nouns, adjectives, infinitives, adverbs or -ing forms.
I'd prefer to marry in February rather than in June.
I'd call him a smart worker rather than a hard worker.
2. When the main clause has to-infinitive, rather than is usually followed by an infinitive without to or an -ing form.
I decided to write a post rather than surf/surfing the internet.
Rather than complain/ complaining, you should try to make changes.
Hope it may help !!
I am on a break !!
