“Rather than” indicates a parallel structure in which two things are compared. To be grammatically correct, the two things being compared need to be equal, meaning they have the same grammatical structure or form.

What is another word for rather than?

1 : with better reason or more propriety : more properly this you should pity rather than despise— William Shakespeare. 2 : more readily or willingly : preferably I’d rather not go would rather read than watch television —often used interjectionally to express affirmation.

(Entry 1 of 2) 1 —used with the infinitive form of a verb to indicate negation as a contrary choice or wish rather than continue the argument, he walked awaychose to sing rather than play violin.

We use rather than to give more importance to one thing when two alternatives or preferences are being compared: He wanted to be an actor rather than a comedian. Can we come over on Saturday rather than Friday? Rather than usually occurs between two things which are being compared.

“I would rather” means that you prefer something to something else. Eg “I would rather go to the shops than the pool”. Obviously you can use “I’d rather” in the same way and that’s how it’s most commonly used. Eg “Do you want a book for christmas?” “I’d rather have the money”.

It’s not a difference in nuance; it’s a difference in very basic grammar. “will rather” is wrong; “would rather” is correct. The idiom is “would rather”. You can’t change the words in idioms.

“I’d rather not…” means “I don’t want to…” People say “I’d rather not…” to talk about something that they don’t want to do, although they might have to. For example, if you’re shopping for a new car, you can tell the salesperson: I’d rather not go over fifteen thousand.

—used to indicate what one wants or prefers to do, have, etc. She would rather drive than take the train. I would rather you didn’t tell them.

In negative sentences with a different subject, the negative comes on the clause that follows, not on would rather: She’d rather you didn’t phone after 10 o’clock….Would rather.

Both “prefer” & “would prefer” express the preference. This site said “You can use ‘prefer to (do)’ or ‘prefer -ing’ to say what you prefer in general” & “We use ‘would prefer’ to say what somebody wants in a particular situation (not in general)”.

Contracted would – I’d, he’d, she’d, we’d, you’d, they’d. -She’d rather stay with me than go out with you. Had better. We use had better when we give advice to others.

Had better: form and meaning We use had better to refer to the present or the future, to talk about actions we think people should do or which are desirable in a specific situation. The verb form is always had, not have. We normally shorten it to ‘d better in informal situations.

Would prefer is followed by to + infinitive or a noun. I’d rather have fruit juice. I’d prefer fruit juice. We use a past tense after would rather when we speak about the actions of other people, even though that action may be in the present or future.

Prefer; In contrast to ‘would rather’ prefers refer to general preference, not current ones. Prefer is followed by a verb in the -ing form and ‘to’.

I would rather (‘I prefer’, ‘I would prefer’) is used as a modal auxiliary verb. It is followed by the infinitive (without ‘to’) when its subject is the same as the subject of the next verb. This happens when we talk about what we would prefer to do. I would rather (or I’d rather) stay with you.

transitive verb. 1 : to promote or advance to a rank or position. 2 : to like better or best prefers sports to reading prefers to watch TV. 3 : to give (a creditor) priority.

Expressing preference We use prefer to say we like one thing or activity more than another. We can use a prepositional phrase with to when we compare two things or actions: I prefer tea to coffee. We prefer going by ferry to flying.

The hardest thing about preferable is pronunciation: remember to place the stress on the first syllable, pref, and not on the second syllable as in the word prefer.

syllable fer

2 syllables

5 syllables

4 syllables

3 syllables

butterfly has three syllables.