HSK 4·G4-018·Compound Sentences (Preference)
与其……，不如……
Rather than A, it is better to B (与其... 不如...)
Pattern
与其 + Clause A (discarded option), 不如 + Clause B (preferred option)
Usage in HSK 4
Used when comparing two options after careful consideration, explicitly rejecting the first option (与其) in favor of the better second option (不如).
Common Exam Mistake
Learners often confuse the order with 宁可...也不...; remember that in 与其...不如..., the preferred choice comes AFTER 不如.
HSK 4 Practice · G4-018
Test Yourself on 与其……，不如……
Solve exam-style questions for this pattern with answer notes in 8 languages.