Mori
Member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2008
- Location
- Isfahan
- Member Type
- English Teacher
- Native Language
- Persian
- Home Country
- Iran
- Current Location
- Iran
As far as I know, we use a bare infinitive or a gerund after rather than:
Nevertheless, I saw the following today:
I wonder what you think. Is it a mistake?
Source: Michael Swan, Practical English Usage fourth edition, entry 560We can use an infinitive (without to) or an -ing form after rather than in this case.
She prefers to make toys for her children rather than buy/buying them.
I would prefer to stay at home rather than drive/driving to your mother's.
Source: English Grammar TodayWhen we use rather than with a verb, we use the base form or (less commonly) the -ing form of a verb:
Rather than pay the taxi fare, he walked home. (or Rather than paying the taxi fare, he walked home.)
Not:Rather than to pay…
Nevertheless, I saw the following today:
Source: Collins English DictionaryNormally, to is used after prefer and preferable, not than: I prefer Brahms to Tchaikovsky; a small income is preferable to no income at all. However, than or rather than should be used to link infinitives: I prefer to walk than/rather than to catch the train
I wonder what you think. Is it a mistake?
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