Why "rather+v" instead of "rather+Ving"?

Question

Why does the rather must be followed by regular verb instead of a progressive one?THANKS IN ADVANCE:)

Teechr · Accepted Answer

I was rather hoping that it would rain. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/5.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/5.gif' alt='Emotion: wink'/>

Maelstrom · Answer

teechrI was rather hoping that it would rain.

I'm asking about sentences structured as "Rather than ___(verb/verb+ing), we..(regular verb here)...."
In this case, should the first verb following right after "rather than" be regular or progressive?

THANKS!

Teechr · Answer

We'll be traveling by ship rather than flying. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/5.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/5.gif' alt='Emotion: wink'/>

Why "rather+v" instead of "rather+Ving"?

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