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www0935
Joined: 14 Apr 2008
Posts: 173
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 Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 11:54 pm Post subject: question about "rather than" |
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The following is my question.
He slept all day long at home ____________ go to school.
(A) instead of (B) but didn�t (C) rather than (D) as well as
The answer is (C), but how about (B)?
If the answer is correct, what grammatical function does "rather than" serve as? Is it a "conjunction" or a "preposition"? Why is it followed by "infinitive without to"?
Thanks a lot. |
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pugachevV
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 2295
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| Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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If you want to use B. You'd have to change it to "and didn't go to school."
Rather than "is a conjunction used with the infinitive form of the verb to indicate negation as a contrary choice or wish." (According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
In fact I was taught, back in the dark ages when grammar meant something, that go as it's used here, is the subjunctive mood, expressing, as it does, a hypothetical situation. (He did not actually go to school).
Run it by your Professor and see what he says. |
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rice07
Joined: 26 Oct 2007
Posts: 385
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| Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 5:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Is it a "conjunction" or a "preposition"? Why is it followed by "infinitive without to"? |
Hi www0935
I have been noticing that the teachers here like pugachevV are always of great assistance in facilitating language learning for the learners in this forum, and that you are incredibly studious, therefore here I would like to add something cited from a grammar book for your reference. And here it is:
We usually put to before the infinitive (e.g. I want to know, It's nice to see you). But we use the infinitive without to in some cases.
1 after modal auxiliary verbs
After the modal auxiliary verbs will, shall, would, should, can, could, may, might, and must, we use the infinitive without to.
-- I must go now.
-- I would rather go alone.
...
We also use the infinitive without to after had better, and sometimes after need and dare.
-- You needn't do the washing up.
...
The to-infinitive is used after ought.
2 after let, make, hear etc
Certain verbs are followed by object + infinitive without to. They include let, make, see, hear, feel, watch and notice.
--I made them give me the money back.
-- I didn't see you come in.
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Help can also be used in this way.
-- Could you help me (to) unload the car?
This structure is also possible with have and know.
--Have Mrs Hansen come in, please. (especially AmE)
--I've never known him (to) pay for a drink.
In passive versions of these structures (with make, see, hear, help, and know) the infinitive with to is used.
-- He was made to pay back the money.
...
3 after why (not)
We can introduce questions and suggestions with why (not) + infinitive without to.
-- Why pay more at other shops? We have the lowest prices.
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4 after and, or, except, but, than, as and like
When two infinitive structures are joined by and, or, except, but, than, as or like, the second is often without to.
--I'd like to lie down and go to shop.
...
-- It's easier to do it yourself than explain to somebody else how to do it.
Rather than is usually followed by an infinitive without to.
Rather than wait any more, I decided to go home by taxi.
Hope that helps.
rice
Last edited by rice07 on Tue Jan 12, 2010 9:34 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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www0935
Joined: 14 Apr 2008
Posts: 173
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| Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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To pugachevV and rice07,
Thank you so much for your sincere help. |
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