rather than of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather than of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare two or more things in order to express preference or to emphasize one choice over the other. For example: "I prefer to take the bus rather than of the train".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Reversibility marks posthypnotic amnesia as a disorder of memory retrieval, rather than of encoding or storage.

University of California, Berkeley

What they found indicated counterfeiting of currency rather than of race-track tickets.

Cornell University

inant intermolecular forces in the lattice are electromagnetic rather than of the Van der Waals type.

Princeton University

Neonatal morbidity appears to be a function of prematurity rather than of massive proteinuria itself.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

The event had the air of a class reunion, but the attendees shared memories of shelters rather than of schools, of recovery rather than of careers.

The New York Times

Fortunes rise and fall with the performance of the stock market rather than of the company.

Harvard Business Review

To my mind, though, the problem is one of self-awareness rather than of selfhood.

The New Yorker

And science and technology themselves are usually seen as forces of destruction rather than of good.

The New York Times - Science

His failings were those of a candidate rather than of a governor.

The Washington Post

Leicestershire is a county of country houses rather than of great buildings.

Britannica

Could their deaths have been a result of mad cow, rather than of chance?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather than of" to clearly indicate a preference or substitution between two options, ensuring that the sentence maintains grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "rather than" without the "of" when it is required by the sentence structure. Ensure the phrase connects elements that are grammatically parallel.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather than of" functions as a prepositional phrase used to introduce an alternative or contrast. It connects two nouns, phrases, or clauses, indicating a preference for one over the other. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather than of" is a prepositional phrase used to express contrast, preference, or substitution, and Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various domains. With a neutral tone suitable for diverse contexts, it frequently appears in News & Media, Academic writing, and Encyclopedias. Common alternatives include "instead of" and "as opposed to". When writing, ensure the sentence structure supports the inclusion of "of" to maintain grammatical accuracy. Avoid omitting the "of" when it is grammatically needed. Use it to clearly convey your intended choice or distinction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather than

Omits "of" for a grammatically similar comparison.

instead of

Replaces "rather than of" with a more concise expression of substitution.

as opposed to

Emphasizes a direct contrast between two options.

in place of

Suggests a replacement, often implying a functional substitution.

in preference to

Formally expresses a clear liking for one thing over another.

over and above

Highlights a preference or addition that surpasses the alternative.

more than

Emphasizes quantity or degree, suggesting a greater amount or intensity.

to the exclusion of

Indicates that one option is chosen to the complete exclusion of another.

compared with

Suggests a comparison to highlight differences or similarities.

than

Offers a shorter alternative for comparison.

FAQs

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

Use "rather than of" to show preference or contrast between two options. For example, "I prefer tea "rather than of" coffee" indicates a preference for tea.

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

"Rather than of" and "instead of" both express alternatives, but "rather than of" often implies a stronger contrast or preference, while "instead of" simply indicates substitution.

Is it always necessary to include 'of' after 'rather than'?

The inclusion of "of" depends on the grammatical structure of the sentence. If the phrase requires a preposition to connect properly, "rather than of" is correct. Otherwise, "rather than" may suffice.

What are some alternatives to using "rather than of"?

Alternatives include "as opposed to", "in place of", or "in preference to", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.