1)当比较两种选择或偏好时,用来表达更重视某一个选择或偏好。
常用于并行结构中,可以与两个形容词/副词/名词/动词原形或-ing形式。
He wanted to be an actor rather than a comedian.
2)Rather than通常用在两个被比较的事物之间,也可把它用在句子的开头。
当与动词连用时,要使用动词原形或动词分词形式(-ing):
Rather than pay the taxi fare, he walked home. (用动词原形最为常见)
What made you choose the one rather than the other?
你怎么选了这个而不是那个?
It now seems a probability rather than just a possibility.
这件事似乎十拿九稳,而不是仅有可能。
The decision was based on emotion rather than rational thought.
这个决定不是基于理性的思考而是基于感情作出的。
Good writing is unfortunately the exception rather than the rule.
可惜优秀的文字作品真是可遇不可求。
The report was a device used to hide rather than reveal problems.
这份报告不是揭露问题而是为掩盖问题而耍的花招。