prefer to do rather than do,rather than do ,rather than 以及用法?

prefer A to B
would rather do A than do B
do A instead of doing B
prefer to do A rather than do B
prefer doing A to doing B
like doing A better than doing B
would sooner do A than do B
would do A rather than do B
prefer的用法 ------- sample sentences:
1、后接不定式时与rather than 或instead of连用,如：He preferred to die rather than (to) steal./ He perferred to die instead of stealing.他宁死也不去偷窃.
2、注意介词搭配,如：I prefer swimming to skating.(I like swimming better than skating.)我喜欢游泳胜过滑冰.prefer 因其本身含有比较之意,而不可再与more 或most连用.
3、prefer＋名词或动名词“宁愿”,“更喜欢”.He comes from Shanghai,so he prefers rice.他是上海人,因此更喜欢吃米饭.I prefer going by bike.我宁愿骑单车去.I prefer the white one.我喜欢那个白的.
4、prefer to do “愿意做”.I prefer to go at once.我愿意马上就走.
5、prefer sb.to do “愿意某人做” I prefer you to go at once.我倒希望你马上就走.
6、prefer to sth.“宁愿做...而不做...”.I prefer tea to milk.我宁愿喝茶也不喝牛奶.I prefer watching TV to going out.
我宁愿看电视也不出去.
7、prefer to do sth.rather than do sth.“宁愿做...而不做...” I prefer to watch TV rather than go out.我宁愿呆在家里也不出去.
8、prefer＋ that从句“宁愿”（从句一般用虚拟语气）I prefer that you should do it.我宁愿你做这件事.
不能说prefer sth rather than sth那么rather than do ，rather than doing是什么意思？以及用法？rather than:而不是- -- -，取代-- -，She stayed at home rather than go out with us=== She stayed at home instead of going out with us.