Prefer and would

rather
Prefer
• We use “prefer to (do)” or “prefer –ing” to show our preferences in
general.
This is the structure we use for both forms:

Subject + prefer + doing + something + to + something else

Subject + prefer + to do + something + rather than + something else

Examples:

Subject + prefer + doing + something + to + something else

• I prefer coffe to tea ( I prefer this to something else )

• She prefers watching TV to going out ( I prefer doing this to doing
something else )

Subject + prefer + to do + something + rather than + something else

• I prefer to drive rather than travel by train

• Tom prefers to fly an airplane rather than to drive a car
 Would prefer ( ‘d prefer …)
• We use would prefer to say what somebody wants in a
specific situation. We say “would prefer to do something
“ ( not usually “would prefer doing” )
Examples:
• Would you prefer to go by train ?  I would prefer to go
by car
• Shall we go by train ?  I’d prefer to drive
• I’d prefer to stay at home tonight rather than go to the
cinema
Would rather ( ‘d rather…)
• Would rather (do) = would prefer (to do) we use both of them in a
specific situation.

We use would rather + infinitive ( base form of the verb wihout to )

• Shall we go by train  I’d prefer to drive
I’d rather drive
The negative is I’d rather not ( do something )
example:
• I’m tired. I’d rather not go out this evening , if you don’t mind.
• Do you want to go out this evening? I’d rather not.
We say “would rather do something than do something else”
Example :
I´d rather stay at home tonight than go to the cinema.
When we want someone to do something , we use would rather and
the past ( did , drove, etc.) but the meaning is present not past.
Examples:
• I would rather make dinner now  I’d rather you made dinner now
• I’d rather you did smoke outside
The negative is I’d rather you didn´t (do something)
I’d rather you didin´t tell anyone what i said
Shall I tell Anna what happened?  I’d rather you didn´t
Exercises:
I prefer brown sugar_____ white sugar.
I don’t want to go out. I’d rather ______ home.
I like trekking in the mountains, but I prefer ______ on a sandy beach.
I’d rather go in December ______ in May.
I’d rather come with you ______ here alone.
I prefer travelling by bus ______ by train.
I usually have tea, but today I’d prefer _______ coffee, please.
I’d prefer to read for a while ______ TV.
I’d rather you ______ here with me and the kids.
She _____ to stay in a hotel.
She would ____ to stay with me rather ____ stay in a hotel.
I would _____talk to you in private.
They prefer fishing _____ hunting.
I _____ living in a small village to living in a big city.
I’d prefer to travel to different countries _____ than travel to only one.
I’d rather you _____ (talk) to him first.
Would you rather _____ (finish) this later?
I’d _____ to drink water ____ than wine
I’d _____ you took her to the hospital.
I prefer sitting in the back to _____ (sit) in the front.