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’d prefer a movie [rather than/to/that/from] a concert.
2. He’d prefer to keep his job [to being/rather than being/before to be/*rather than be] fired.
3. I’d prefer [having/have/*to have/to having] just a salad.
4. I’d prefer to walk rather than [going/to go/*go/to going] by car.
5. I ['d rather/'d prefer/prefer/rather] become a pianist.
6. I [would rather/rather/would prefer to/*'d prefer] to go on a cruise.
7. I prefer running [to swimming/rather than to swim/than swimming/to swim] .
8. She’d prefer to work night shifts [rather than/than/that/to] work at weekends.
9. I’d rather she [studied/study/to study/would study] something different.
10. I ['d rather/'d prefer/'d like/prefer] he didn’t do it on his own.
ANSWERS
(1) → We can use prefer/would prefer with rather than or instead of to show the choices we have.
(2) → We can use prefer/would prefer with rather than or instead of to show the choices we have.
→ We use rather than + infinitive without to
(3) → We use prefer/would prefer + noun or to + infinitive to talk about specific preference, i.e. what we prefer on a specific occasion.
(4) → We can use prefer/would prefer with rather than or instead of to show the choices we have.
→ We use rather than + infinitive without to.
(5) → 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.
(6) → We use prefer/would prefer + noun or to + infinitive to talk about specific preference, i.e. what we prefer on a specific occasion.
(7) → 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.
(8) → We can use prefer/would prefer with rather than or instead of to show the choices we have.
→ We use rather than + infinitive without to.
(9) → We use would rather + subject + past simple to refer to the present or future.
(10) → We use would rather + subject + past simple to refer to the present or future.