Categories: ESL Usage Lessons

ESL Writing: Instead of / Rather than (handout)

This ESL writing lesson introduces the proper usage of “instead of” and “rather than” with several sample sentences.

 

Download lesson as pdf


Instead of / Rather than

Sentence Pattern:
A instead of B
A rather than B

Instead of and rather than mean “in place of”.

    • My wife wanted to buy a new car, but I decided to buy a used car.
      – I bought a used car instead of a new car.
      – I bought a used car rather than a new car.

    • Everyone ordered chicken at the restaurant, but because I had chicken for dinner last night, I decided to order the fish.
      – I ordered the fish instead of the chicken.
      – I ordered the fish rather than the chicken.
    • It’s a nice day today, so I didn’t drive my car. I walked to work.
      – I walked to work instead of driving.
      – I walked to work rather than driving.

Note: If “A” and “B” are verbs, you must add “-ing” to the verb after instead of/rather than:

    • Wrong: I went running instead of ride a bike. (x)
    • Right: I went running instead of riding a bike.
    • Right: I went running rather than riding a bike.

 

    • Wrong: John decided to play video games rather than do his homework. (x)
    • Right: John decided to play video games rather than doing his homework.
    • Right: John decided to play video games instead of doing his homework.

 

gilesb13

Share
Published by
gilesb13

Recent Posts

Adult ESL Lessons: Arguments Against Zoos (Advanced)

This is Lesson 47, "Arguments in Favor of Zoos," from our book of advanced adult…

55 years ago

Adult ESL Lessons: Arguments in Favor of Zoos (Advanced)

This is Lesson 47, "Arguments in Favor of Zoos," from our book of advanced adult…

55 years ago

Adult ESL Lessons: The Post Office and the Bank (Beginner)

Adult ESL Lessons (Beginner): "The Post Office and the Bank." This lesson starts with a…

55 years ago

Adult ESL Lessons: Urban Problems (Intermediate)

Adult ESL Lessons (Intermediate): "Urban Problems." This lesson features a reading passage about positive and…

55 years ago

Adult ESL Lessons: Last Week (Beginner)

Adult ESL Lessons (Beginner): "Last Week." This lesson starts with a short timeline about what…

55 years ago

Adult ESL Lessons: Grocery Shopping (Beginner)

Adult ESL Lessons (Beginner): Grocery Shopping. This lesson starts with a short story about "Charles"…

55 years ago