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HUGUES Marion
Would, rather and Prefer are used to express preferences.
Their main difference stands in using " to " in the case
of " prefer " and not " to " in the other cases
with " would rather ".
It is more a problem of phrasal construction, than a question of
usage.
1. In order to say what you prefer in general, you can use the verb
" to prefer to " :
There are three possibilities of phrasal construction :
· I prefer + noun+ to+ noun ( I prefer something to something
else)
ex. I prefer this colour to the red one
· I prefer + verb-ing + to + verb-ing (to express an usual
action prefered)
ex. I prefer walking to going by bus to work
· I prefer + to do something + rather than + do something
(to express a comparison)
ex. I prefer to go to the cinema rather to watch tv
2. In order to say what somebody wants in a particular situation,
you can use " would prefer " ( conditional tense form)
· I would prefer + noun
· I would prefer + to do something
ex. Would you prefer tea or coffee ? I would prefer tea.
Would you like to walk in the park ? I would prefer to stay at home
because it's too cold.
You can use also the structure : I would prefer + to do something+
rather than + do something to express a choice and a comparison.
ex. I would prefer to stay at home rather than go shopping now.
An another form is possible to express the same subject.
Would rather + do something ( without " to " before the
verb) = Would prefer to do something
ex. Shall we go by train ? I would prefer to go by car
I would rather go by car
In the negative form : " would rather not (do something) "
ex. I would rather not go out this evening
In the comparative form to give more explanations about the preference
: " would rather do something + than + do something else "
ex. I would rather stay at home than go out this evening
3. When you want somebody to do something : you prefer someone else
to do something, you can use " would rather ".
· I would rather + somebody else ( noun or pronoun) + did
( past form) + something
· ex. I would rather cook now
I would rather you cooked now (instead of me)
The negative form : I would rather + somebody else + did not + something
ex. I would rather you did not cook now
We use the past but the meaning is present or future.
To express past or future with these structures, the sequences of
tenses is used.
EXERCISES
1. Write sentences using " I prefer " (something) "
to " ( something else).
Put the verb into the correct form where necessary.
1.( drive / travel by train ) I prefer…
2.( tennis / football ) I prefer….
3.( phone people / write letters) I …
4.( go to the cinema / watch films on TV) I prefer…
Rewrite the sentences using the structure " I prefer ( to do
something) rather than … "
1. I prefer…rather than..
2. I prefer…rather than…
3. I prefer…rather than…
1. Write sentences using " I would prefer… " or "
I would rather… "
eat at home listen to some music wait till later
get a taxi stand
go alone think about it for a while
go for a swim wait a few minutes
1. Shall we walk home ? ( prefer)…..
2. Do you want to eat now ? ( rather) ….
3. Shall we watch TV ? ( prefer) …
4. What about a game of tennis ? ( rather) …
5. Shall we leave now ? (rather) …
6. Do you want to go to a restaurant ? ( prefer) …
7. I think we should decide now ? ( rather) …
8. Would you like to sit down ? ( prefer) …
9. Do you want me to come with you ? ( prefer) …
Now write sentences using the comparative form with " would
prefer " or " would rather " and " than "
or " rather than "
10. ( get a taxi / walk home) I' d prefer…
11. ( go for a swim / play tennis) I' d rather…
12. ( wait a few minutes / leave now) I' d rather..
13. ( eat at home / go to a restaurant ) I' d prefer…
14. ( think about it for a while / decide now) I' d rather…
1. Complete the sentences with your choices.
1. Shall I tell Ann the news ? No I'd rather she…know.
2. Do you want me to go now or would you rather I …here ?
3. Do you want to go out this evening or would you rather…stay
at home ?
4. This is a private letter adressed to me. I'd rather you…read
it.
5. It' s quite a nice house but I'd rather it…a bit bigger.
6. Do you mind if I turn on the radio ? I'd rather you…I'm
trying to study.
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