1. Expressing preference:
* "I'd rather have a cup of tea rather than coffee."
* "She chose to go hiking rather than stay at home."
2. Presenting an alternative:
* "The author used humor rather than drama to convey her message."
* "He decided to work on his project rather than go out with friends."
3. Contrasting ideas:
* "The room was cozy rather than spacious."
* "The movie was entertaining rather than thought-provoking."
4. Emphasizing a specific choice:
* "He chose to be honest rather than lie about the situation."
* "We decided to walk rather than drive to the park."
5. To show a negative comparison:
* "She seemed tired rather than energetic."
* "The weather was cold rather than warm."
Important Note: "Rather than" always connects two words, phrases, or clauses. It is never used alone.