rather than that of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather than that of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare two different subjects or aspects, indicating a preference for one over the other. Example: "She chose to focus on her own career rather than that of her family's expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If their customers have problems, the Web site's reputation suffers, rather than that of Global Sports.

The New York Times

This is an ambassadorial role rather than that of a chief academic officer".

The Guardian

I bring a working person's perspective, rather than that of a retired person.

The Guardian

He accused the unions' leadership of acting in their own interest, rather than that of their members or the public.

The Guardian

It feels much more like the sort of experience you've read about rather than that of last time.

The Guardian - Film

In fact, aquavit is served in drams, the measurement of a druggist rather than that of a bartender.

The New York Times - Travel

Musically and lyrically, he prefers the world of the abstract rather than that of the streets and clubs.

The New York Times - Arts

The most important figure is that of a patron deity, emphasized by its size, rather than that of the king.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It reverts to a classical tradition in political writing that took the viewpoint of rulers rather than that of citizens.

The Economist

Many were offered unpaid sabbaticals for the sake of the firm's health rather than that of the individual.

The Economist

The destructive tests reflect more the quality of the supplied materials rather than that of the constructed structure.

Procedia Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather than that of" to clearly contrast two similar elements, ensuring the compared items are parallel in structure to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "rather than that of" when the elements being compared are not structurally similar. For instance, instead of saying 'He enjoys swimming rather than that of running a marathon', rephrase it to 'He enjoys swimming rather than running a marathon' or 'He prefers swimming to running marathons' for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather than that of" functions as a comparative conjunction, introducing a contrast or preference between two nouns or noun phrases. It specifies a choice or distinction, favoring one entity or concept over another. Ludwig AI confirms its role in establishing clear distinctions between comparable elements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

36%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather than that of" serves as a comparative tool to highlight distinctions and preferences between nouns or noun phrases. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and appropriate for neutral to formal contexts. It’s crucial to maintain parallel structure for clarity and avoid misuse with non-parallel elements. While alternatives like "instead of" exist, "rather than that of" offers a precise way to express contrast, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic writing. This phrase is useful to make comparisons, while maintaining formal and neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instead of that of

Replaces "rather" with "instead", changing the emphasis slightly but maintaining the comparative structure.

as opposed to that of

Uses "as opposed to" for a more direct contrast.

in preference to that of

More formal, emphasizing the preference aspect.

over that of

More concise, using "over" to indicate preference.

compared to that of

Shifts focus to comparison rather than preference.

in lieu of that of

A more formal alternative to "instead of".

rather than the one of

Uses "the one" to refer to a specific instance, but it's generally less elegant.

more so than that of

Emphasizes a greater degree or extent compared to something else.

to the exclusion of that of

Indicates something is chosen by explicitly excluding another.

distinct from that of

Highlights a clear difference or separation.

FAQs

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

Use "rather than that of" to compare two nouns or noun phrases, highlighting a preference or contrast. For example, "She focused on her personal growth "rather than that of" her professional success."

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

You can use phrases like "instead of", "as opposed to", or "in preference to" as alternatives to ""rather than that of"", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to include "that of" after "rather than"?

No, it's not always necessary. "That of" is used to avoid repeating a noun. If the context is clear without it, you can simply use "rather than". For example, you can say "He chose ambition "rather than that of" contentment" or "He chose ambition rather than contentment".

Can "rather than that of" be used with verbs?

While grammatically possible, it's generally clearer to use a different construction when comparing verbs. For instance, instead of "He preferred to read "rather than that of" watching television", it's better to say "He preferred reading to watching television" or "He preferred to read rather than watch television".