phân vân cách dùng rather than

Phân vân cách dùng rather than
Có 2 câu sau mình đọc được trên mạng,câu 1 là của 1 IELTS examiner,câu 2
trong một bài essay được band 7+.Hai câu này dùng 'rather than' theo 2 cách
khác nhau,một câu đi sau và Verb và 1 câu là verb-ing.Mọi người giải thích giúp
mình với ạ,thanks nhiều
1) In term of their career,young people who decide to find work,rather than
continue their studies,may progress more quickly.
2) Despite the risk of social isiolation,a problem occasionally seen in people
who spend too much time at their computer rather than relating to to people in
the real world,
The expression "rather than" does not change its meaning no matter what
happens to the verb structures surrounding it.
Let's look at the definition "rather than" and usage examples as given by the
OALD:
rather than => instead of somebody/something
I think I'll have a cold drink rather than coffee
Why didn't you ask for help, rather than trying to do it on your own?
Back to your question
1) In term of their career,young people who decide to find work, rather
than continue their studies, may progress more quickly.
The reason why "continue" is in the infinitive form is because it follows
"decide to" (rather than does not influence the verb structure)
Young people who decide to
find work
rather than
continue their studies
2) Despite the risk of social isiolation,a problem occasionally seen in people
who spend too much time at their computer rather than relating to to people in
the real world,
People who spend
too much time at their work

rather than
relating to people in the real work
The verb structure is "to spend (time) doing something"
To know when to use an infinitive, a noun, a noun phrase, or a V-ing after
"rather than", you need to study the verb structures involved before "rather
than". With practice and deeper understanding of the verb structures, you will
soon learn how to apply the correct form. In the meanwhile, try to remember as
many as possible the examples given in grammar books or dictionaries for
"rather than".