Unit 59: Prefer and would rather

English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 59: Prefer and would rather

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.

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.

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.

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.'

59.1 Which do you prefer? Write sentences using 'I prefer (something) to (something else)'. Put the verb into the correct form where necessary.

(drive / travel by train)
⁽¹⁾ .
(basketball / football)
I prefer ⁽²⁾ __________ .
(go to the cinema / watch DVDs at home)
I ⁽³⁾ __________ to ⁽⁴⁾ __________ at home.
(be very busy / have nothing to do)
I ⁽⁵⁾ __________ .
(drive / travel by train)
I prefer to ⁽⁶⁾ __________ .
(go to the cinema / watch DVDs at home)
I prefer to ⁽⁷⁾ __________ .
(be very busy / have nothing to do)
I prefer to ⁽⁸⁾ __________ .

59.2 Complete the sentences. Sometimes you need one word, sometimes more.

A: Shall we walk home?
B: get a taxi.
A: Do you want to eat now?
B: I'd prefer till later.
A: Would you like to watch TV?
B: I'd __________ to listen to some music.
A: Do you want to go to a restaurant?
B: I'd rather __________ at home.
Let's leave now.
__________ wait a few minutes.
What about a game of tennis?
I prefer __________ for a swim.
I think we should decide now.
I'd __________ think about it for a while.
Would you like to sit down?
__________ to stand.
Do you want me to come with you?
I'd rather __________ alone.

59.3 Complete the sentences using would you rather I ... .

Are you going to make dinner or ?
Are you going to tell Ann a what happened or would you rather __________ ?
Are you going to do the shopping or __________ ?
Are you going to phone Tanya or __________ ?

59.4 Use your own ideas to complete these sentences.

'Shall I tell Anna what happened?' 'No, I'd rather she know.'
Do you want me to go now or would you rather I __________ here?
Do you want to go out this evening or would you rather __________ at home?
This is a private matter. I'd rather you __________ tell anybody else.
I don't want to make a decision without Jack and Sue. I'd rather they __________ here.
A: Do you mind if I put some music on?
B: I'd rather you __________ . I'm trying to study.

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