rather than与 instead of 都有“而不是”的意思，有时可互换，但它们的用法不同。instead of "替代",后面接名词和动名词;rather than (是...)而不是... 前后成分在形式上必须保持一致。

rather than和instead of的区别

如：
1).I prefer to stay at home rather than go out .
我宁愿呆在家里也不愿外出。
2).This argument aimed at the understanding rather than the emotions.
这场辩论针对的是理解而不是感情.
3). You rather than I are going to go camping.
是你而不是我要去要野营。
4). The sweater she bought was beautiful rather than cheap.
与其说她买的这件羊毛衫便宜不如说它漂亮。
2.instead of +名词/代词/doing 是介词短语，意思是“代替，而不是”。
如：
1). He watched TV at home instead of going out last night .
＝He watched TV at home rather than went out last night .
他昨晚在家看电视而不是外出。
2). I gave him advice instead of money.
我给了他忠告,而不是钱。