how to use would rather...than

extracted from http://en.allexperts.com/q/General-Writing-Grammar-680/rather.htm

Expert: Tony ColasurdoDate: 12/7/2004Subject:
would rather ... than ...Question

Jeff asked:

I have been told that the verb in a "would rather ... than ..." construction is a bare infinitive, so it is correct to say:"He would rather have committed suicide than (to) bow to the plotters."But is it incorrect to say:"He would rather have committed suicide than (to) have bowed to the plotters"? I see the present continuous with statements such as:"I'd rather be sleeping."But can we acceptably use this tense with this construction: "I would rather be sleeping than go to school"?Or is it better to say:"I would rather sleep than go to school"?reason for question:

I am an editor for a prominent English teaching textbook in Taiwan and these questions came up in a meeting as we are deciding how best to present the grammar. Thanks for your help,Jeff



Answer Jeff:

I'm going to suggest that you you get other opinions as well, but here's how I see it.The second example you give (to have bowed) simply sounds awkward and incorrect. My advice is to stick with the simple infinitive form.In the second example, it's so much clearer to say "I would rather sleep than go to school." Clarity is the deciding factor in choosing a particular construction.Tony