is rather than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is rather than' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is used to compare two different ideas or concepts. For example, "I prefer to have a cup of tea is rather than a cup of coffee."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mindfulness: Staying present in the moment as it is, rather than daydreaming, ruminating, or being distracted.

University of California, Berkeley

see the world as it is, rather than as they want it to be.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If had gone in, that is, rather than 40 metres over the bar.

The Guardian - Sport

Trouble is, rather than "show your bollocks", he might as well have said "show you're bollocks".

The Guardian - Sport

My question is, rather than chase the Yankees, why not use the Twins' model?

The New York Times - Sports

"[Brown was] being prosecuted for who he is rather than what he's done," Geragos said.

The Guardian - Music

I am willing to support any American Indian there is, rather than put them down.

The Guardian - Opinion

Another approach to doing value at risk is rather than use this parametric approach, is to simulate the outcomes.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Doing so will make it easier to perceive reality as it is, rather than as we wish it to be.

Harvard Business Review

Of the sonic and spiritual type, that is, rather than the spine-dislocating, voice-of-Beelzebub-chewing-pig-carcasses kind.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

bitwise NOT is "^", rather than "~" the dedicated "&^" operator combines AND and NOT.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is rather than" to clearly present a contrast between two options, ensuring that the comparison is explicit and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "is rather than" in overly complex sentences where the comparison becomes unclear. Simplify the sentence structure to ensure the contrast remains sharp and easily understandable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather than" serves as a comparative conjunction, directly contrasting two elements or ideas. It asserts a preference or choice for one option over another, as supported by Ludwig's examples showcasing its use in academic, news, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is rather than" is a versatile comparative conjunction widely used to express preferences or contrasts between two options. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news, academia, and general writing. Its primary function is to clarify intent and distinguish between alternatives. When seeking alternatives, consider using phrases like "instead of" or "as opposed to" to convey similar meanings. Remember to maintain clarity in complex sentences and avoid ambiguity when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather than

A shorter, more direct version of the original phrase, omitting the "is".

instead of

Replaces "is rather than" with a more concise prepositional phrase indicating substitution.

as opposed to

Suggests a direct contrast, similar to "is rather than" but often implies a stronger opposition.

in preference to

Emphasizes a favored choice over another, indicating a clear preference.

over

A simpler preposition indicating preference or dominance of one thing over another.

more than

Indicates a greater degree or amount, suitable when comparing quantities or intensities.

in place of

Similar to "in lieu of", but can be used more broadly to indicate a replacement.

in lieu of

Formally replaces something, offering a substitute, often used in official or business contexts.

than

Used to compare two things; shorter and more direct, but requires restructuring the sentence.

not

Indicates negation, requiring a different sentence structure to express the intended comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "is rather than" in a sentence?

Use "is rather than" to show a preference or contrast between two things. For example, "The goal "is to understand" the concept is rather than to memorize it."

What's the difference between "is rather than" and "instead of"?

"Is rather than" directly contrasts two elements, while "instead of" replaces one thing with another. "He chose tea is rather than coffee" versus "He drank tea instead of coffee."

Which is correct, "is rather than" or "rather than"?

Both phrases are correct, but "is rather than" includes the verb "is", which can provide a clearer sentence structure in some contexts. "Rather than" is often used as a shorter, more direct alternative.

What can I say instead of "is rather than"?

Alternatives include "as opposed to", "in preference to", or simply restructuring the sentence using "instead of" to convey a similar meaning.