rather than和would rather（…than）的辨析

    rather than和would rather（…than）

    ◇ rather than是连词，前后两端所连的词性是一致的，通常译为“而不是”或“与其说是……不如说是”，有时可用短语介词instead of替代。例如：

    He was writing a letter rather than＝（instead of）reading the newspaper.他那时正在写信而不在看报纸。   

    John should go rather than＝（instead of）Jean.应该去的是约翰，而不是简。      

    These shoes are comfortable rather than pretty.这些鞋子谈不上漂亮，但穿起来倒很舒服。   

    Evans is a doctor rather than a teacher.与其说埃文斯是个老师，不如说是个医生。

    ◇ would rather表示选择或主观上的愿望，其中的would亦可理解为had。它表示“宁愿、宁可”的意思。如果要把取舍的双方都表达出来，则应该用would（or：had）rather…than，表示“宁愿……也不……”的意思。例如：     

    My aunt invited me to the film,but I said I'd rather go on a picnic with the girls.我的姑妈邀请我去看电影，可是我说我倒愿意跟女孩子们一起去野餐。   

     I am sure they would/had rather die than give up.我深信他们一定会宁死不屈。