rather than do that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather than do that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a preference for one action over another, typically in a comparative context. Example: "I would prefer to go for a walk rather than do that tedious task."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

He says that he has no intention of doing so, and that he loves her, that he would cut off his hand rather than do that.

The New Yorker

People have already written brilliantly about the theatricality of the novels," he says, "so rather than do that again it is about his theatricality as a man.

The Guardian

ZILIAK: I think my mom would go back to hitting me with the shoe rather than do that.

Forbes

After his stint alongside Davies, Williams said: "I would have preferred to have gone on and played hooker rather than do that.

BBC

But that would get very boring, so rather than do that, let's draw a picture.

Yale University

But rather than do that we want to make sure we do the right thing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Rather than do that because this is a way of protecting the self from shame often open themselves up and reach out.

Cornell University

At the heart of it though, are their meats, smoked over wood (rather than pellets; they'd clearly rather die than do that).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If I did I would have rather starved than do that.

The Guardian - Film

I said I would rather die than do that," he said.

The Guardian

When I told him I tested my blood sugar seven or eight times a day, he told me, "I'd rather die than do that".

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rather than do that", place it close to the elements being compared to maintain clarity and flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "rather than do that" when the action 'that' refers to is unclear or hasn't been explicitly mentioned in the preceding text. Always ensure the reference is direct to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather than do that" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, indicating a preference or substitution. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It connects two alternatives, highlighting the preferred one over the other. Examples show it setting up contrasting actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

13%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather than do that" is a versatile phrase used to express a preference or offer an alternative. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. As evidenced by the examples, it's common in news, academic writing and casual conversation. When using this phrase, ensure that the action referred to by "that" is clear to avoid confusion. Consider alternatives like "instead of doing that" or "as opposed to doing that" for slightly different nuances. The phrase has a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather than that

Slightly less specific, omitting the verb "do" but retaining the sense of substitution.

instead of doing that

Emphasizes substitution but can sometimes lack the explicit sense of preference.

as opposed to doing that

Highlights a direct contrast, making the alternative more distinct.

as an alternative to that

Highlights that the sentence has a different option to be considered.

in preference to doing that

More formal; directly indicates a favored choice.

in lieu of doing that

More formal and emphasizes a substitution due to necessity or convenience.

instead

A very short form with a very high degree of abstraction.

alternatively

Suggests a different option without necessarily implying preference.

by way of contrast

Focuses on contrasting two actions, rather than expressing a preference.

on the other hand

Introduces a contrasting point of view or action.

FAQs

How can I use "rather than do that" in a sentence?

Use "rather than do that" to express a preference for one action over another. For example, "I would prefer to go for a walk "rather than do that" tedious task".

What are some alternatives to saying "rather than do that"?

You can use alternatives like "instead of doing that", "as opposed to doing that", or "in preference to doing that", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "rather than doing that" instead of "rather than do that"?

Both "rather than do that" and "rather than doing that" can be grammatically correct, but their suitability depends on the specific construction of the sentence. The form "rather than do that" is often preferred after 'would' or similar auxiliary verbs.

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

"Rather than do that" implies a preference, whereas "instead of that" simply indicates a substitution without necessarily expressing a preference. The nuance lies in whether you're showing a favored choice or just an alternative.