Does Rather Than Mean?

1 —used with the infinitive form of a verb to indicate negation as a contrary choice or wish rather than continue the argument, he walked awaychose to sing rather than play violin. 2 : and not obscures rather than resolves the problem why do one thing rather than another?

Can you use rather than?

Rather than usually occurs between two things which are being compared. However, we can also use it at the beginning of a sentence. When we use rather than with a verb, we use the base form or (less commonly) the -ing form of a verb: Rather than pay the taxi fare, he walked home.

Does rather mean instead of?

rather than

instead of; used especially when you prefer one thing to another: I think I'd like to stay at home this evening rather than go out.