Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

Clauses with like

471f

Like

can also be used to express similarity or identity either as a conjunction or as

a preposition. Traditional grammar books warn that only as can be used as a

conjunction and not like, but its use as a conjunction is widespread, especially in

spoken English. It is generally regarded as a less formal alternative to as:

But bees, even on chilly mornings, are capable of making a cold start. They

shiver just 

as we do to warm our muscles. 

(formal, written)

Do you go to Giorgio’s every Friday, 

like we do? 

(informal, spoken)

A–Z

49 Like

Û

539 Glossary for any unfamiliar terms

Comparison | 775

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Clauses with rather than

471g

Rather than

is normally used to stress one element of a comparison to the

exclusion of the other. It is typically followed by a verb in the same non-tensed

form as the verb with which the comparison is made:

I always prefer 

getting up early in the morning rather than lying in bed reading

the papers.

The editor has decided to 

cut the paragraph rather than rewrite it. 

(also possible: ‘… rather than to rewrite it.’ or ‘… rather than rewriting it.’)

Rather than

is often fronted to emphasise the comparison. When fronted in this

way, the -ing form or the base form, but normally not the to-infinitive form, is used:

Rather than complain all the time, he decided to change to another hotel.

(or: Rather than complaining all the time, he decided to change to another hotel.)

(Rather than to complain all the time, he decided to change to another hotel.)