HI. When you use the 'rather than' , it is ALWAYS used to substitute one thing for another. It can refer to any person, place, or thing....but it will always be used to select one thing over another. For example: 1. I prefer to walk to school, rather than ride the bus. (in this case, you are preferring one action...over another.) 2. I eat my breakfast after I shower in the morning, rather than eating when I first wake up. 3. I prefer to eat sushi, rather than fish that is cooked. I hope this helped. The possibilities are endless, but it is just used to show a preference of one thing over another.