Would rather, (would) prefer – expressing preference
would rather
would rather + infinitive … (than)
We use would rather + infinitive (without to) to talk about preference. We can use it with than (+noun/infinitive) in affirmative sentences or with or in questions.
- I‘d rather have tea, please.
- I‘d rather have tea than drink that coffee.
- Would you rather have tea or coffee?
would rather + subject + past simple
We can use would rather + subject + past simple to refer to the present or future.
- We‘d rather she was/were with us now.*
- She‘d rather I picked her up after lunch.
- Would you rather we went by bus or by train?
Note that we can use were instead of was with I/he/she after would rather + subject.
prefer
(would) prefer + to + infinitive … (rather than/instead of)
We use prefer/would prefer + noun or to + infinitive to talk about specific preference, i.e. what we prefer on a specific occasion.
- I would prefer to stay in a hotel near the airport. (or I would rather stay…)
- Most clients prefer to have breakfast in their bedroom.
We can use prefer/would prefer with rather than or instead of to show the choices we have.
- I would prefer to be too early rather than be too late.
- I prefer to go with dad instead of staying here with mum.
Note that we use rather than + infinitive without to
prefer + -ing verb
We use prefer + noun or -ing verb to talk about general preference, i.e. what we prefer in general, on every occasion.
- I love running, but he prefers cycling.
We can use prefer with to to show the choices we have. The word to is a preposition here, so if we use a verb after to, it should take the -ing form.
- He prefers walking to cycling.
Choose the correct form
1. I prefer brown sugar [to/that/than] white sugar.
2. I don’t want to go out. I’d rather [stay/to stay/staying] home.
3. I like trekking in the mountains, but I prefer [lying/to lying/lie] on a sandy beach.
4. I’d rather go in December [than/that/to] in May.
5. I’d rather come with you [than stay/than staying/to stay] here alone.
6. I prefer travelling by bus [to travelling/to travel/rather than travel] by train.
7. I usually have tea, but today I’d prefer [to have/have/having] coffee, please.
8. I’d prefer to read for a while [rather than watch/to watch/that watch] TV.
9. I’d rather you [stayed/to stay/stay] here with me and the kids.
10. She [would prefer/rather/would rather] to stay in a hotel.