根据语言对称原则，rather than 连接的两个成分应对等、平行，即便是前后相同的介词，也需要强调和重复。例如：

I would go to work by bike rather than by bus. 

我宁愿骑自行车也不愿乘公共汽车去上班。

Mary would  travel by train rather than by plane. 

玛丽宁可乘火车而不愿乘飞机旅行。

They learn best by theory rather than by example. 

他们学习，最佳是用理论，而不是通过实例说明。

We should solve problems by negotiation, rather than by force. 

我们应该通过协商的方式解决问题，而不是武力。

and 和 or 连接的两个词语，若有重复的成分可以省略，因为这两个连词强调的程度，远不如 rahter than （而不是）。对照如下：

by train and (by) bus

by train or (by) bus

by train rather than by bus