與其...，不如... (yǔqí ..., bùrú ...)

[rather than..., it would be better to...]

• good for contrast
• good for expressing disagreement
  
• good for making a better proposal
• good for giving a better interpretation
  

我認為，(我們)與其把希望放在國際援助上，不如把精力放在自我努力上。

Wǒ rènwéi, (wǒmen) yǔqí bǎ xīwàng fàngzài guójì yuánzhù shàng, bùrú bǎ jīnglì fàngzài zìwǒ nǔlì shàng.

[Steps for Self-study]

1. Address others' opinion or solution about something.
   
2. To express different idea,
   
   • in the first half of the sentence: Subject followed by "與其" then others' opinion. If the subject is unnecessary, then start with "與其."
   • in the second half of the sentence: start with "不如" then my own idea.
     
3. Explain why my idea is better.
4. Conclude this section with the words meaning "that is why I think people should take my idea instead of others'."
   

[futile negotiation] - better idea

• 各國與其浪費時間討論不可行的方案，不如採取實際行動解決迫切的問題。
• Gèguó yǔqí làngfèi shíjiān tǎolùn bùkěxíng de fāng'àn, bùrú cǎiqǔ shíjì xíngdòng jiějué pòqiè de wèntí.
  

[superficial vs. reality] - better interpretation

• 他這樣做，與其說是為了救經濟，不如說是為了轉移民眾的注意。
• Tā zhèyàng zuò, yǔqí shuō shì wèile jiù jīngjì, bùrú shuō shì wèile zhuǎnyí mínzhòng de zhùyì.