"Rather than defend myself" <--Why are we allowed to use an infinitive after this preposition?

Question

Rather than defend myself, I took a deep breath and tried to see his point of view.

In the above sentence, than is a preposition. So I thought the verb defend should have a form of -ing like than defending myself.

Why is the verb defend in the plain form?

It may relate to another question today where a preposition is followed by a gerund or noun. This question has a preposition followed by a transitive verb and an object. — Andrew Leach, Commented Sep 20, 2017 at 16:43
Yes, the explanation is that that is how native speakers talk. — Arm the good guys in America, Commented Sep 20, 2017 at 16:45

dmh · Accepted Answer · 2017-09-20 01:00:50Z

3

I think "than" is being used as a subordinating conjunction - introducing an exception or contrast. So I am not sure your concern applies.

answered Sep 20, 2017 at 1:00

dmh

411 bronze badge

I know dictionaries aren't the best sources for grammar information, but Merriam-Webster seems to support its use as a conjunction. Although perhaps the best known example of than+verb is "easier said than done" where it's used with a past participle.
– Stuart F
Commented Dec 18, 2023 at 12:30

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