Rather than means “instead of” or “and not”. It shows a preference: one thing is chosen over another. It usually links two parts of the same kind: two nouns, two verbs or two phrases, for example online rather than in person. It is neutral and works both in essays and in conversation.
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noun/verb/adjective + rather than + the same form; Rather than + verb/-ing, + clause; would rather + verb + than + verb
- Governments should invest in public transport rather than build more roads for cars.
- Many graduates now look for jobs that offer flexibility rather than a high salary.
- Could we meet on Friday rather than Thursday, as I have a dentist appointment?
What changed
First versionRather than to wait for the bus, we walked to the station.
RevisionRather than wait for the bus, we walked to the station.
To + verb is the usual way to name an action, so to wait seems natural here. But when a sentence starts with rather than, the verb after it has no to: rather than wait or rather than waiting. The correction removed only to.
Instead of must be followed by a noun or an -ing form: instead of waiting. Rather than is more flexible and can even link two adjectives: A cover letter should sound confident rather than boastful. Instead of doesn't work here.
Your turn
Many people now read the news on their phones ___ in printed newspapers.
Show the answer
rather than — The sentence compares two ways of reading the news: on their phones and in printed newspapers. Parts of the same kind like these are linked by rather than. Instead, without of, stands on its own at the start or end of a sentence, and nothing like in printed newspapers can follow it.
Write a sentence for an essay about work or study. Say what people increasingly choose, and after rather than name the option they turn away from.
More and more students choose online courses rather than traditional evening classes.
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