Prefer and would rather |
| A |
Prefer to do and prefer doing
You can use 'prefer to (do)' or 'prefer -ing' to say what you prefer in general:
- I don't like cities. I prefer to live in the country. or I prefer living in the country.
Study the differences in structure after prefer. We say:
| I prefer |
something |
to something else. |
| I prefer |
doing something |
to doing something else. |
| but I prefer |
to do something |
rather than (do) something else. |
- I prefer this coat to the coat you were wearing yesterday.
- I prefer driving to travelling by train .
- but I prefer to drive rather than travel by train.
- Sarah prefers to live in the country rather than (live) in a city.
|
| B |
Would prefer (I'd prefer ... )
We use would prefer to say what somebody wants in a specific situation (not in general):
- 'Would you prefer tea or coffee?' 'Coffee, please.'
We say 'would prefer to do something' (not usually would prefer doing):
- 'Shall we go by train?' 'I'd prefer to drive.' (not I'd prefer driving)
- I'd prefer to stay at home tonight rather than go to the cinema.
|
| C |
Would rather (I'd rather ... )
Would rather (do) = would prefer (to do). We use would rather + infinitive (without to). Compare:
- 'Shall we go by train?'
'I'd prefer to drive.'
'I'd rather drive.' (not to drive)
- 'Would you rather have tea or coffee?' 'Coffee, please.'
The negative is 'I'd rather not (do something)':
- 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':
- I'd rather stay at home tonight than go to the cinema.
|
| D |
I'd rather somebody did something
We say 'I'd rather you did something' (not I'd rather you do). For example:
- 'Who's going to drive, you or me?' 'I'd rather you drove.' (= I would prefer this)
- 'Jack says he'll repair your bike tomorrow, OK?' 'I'd rather he did it today.'
- Are you going to tell Anna what happened, or would you rather I told her?
In this structure we use the past (drove, did etc.), but the meaning is present not past. Compare:
- I'd rather make dinner now.
I'd rather you made dinner now. (not I'd rather you make)
I'd rather you didn't (do something) = I'd prefer you not to do it:
- I'd rather you didn't tell anyone what I said.
- 'Are you going to tell Anna what happened?' 'No. I'd rather she didn't know.'
- 'Shall I tell Ann a what happened?' 'I'd rather you didn't.'
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