Prefer and would rather

Question 1

prefer to … and prefer -ing
- When you say what you prefer in general, you can use prefer to … or prefer -ing:

• I don’t like cities. I prefer to live in the country. or I prefer living in the country.
  You can say:
  prefer something to something else
  prefer doing something to doing something else
  rather than (doing) something else
  prefer to do something rather than (do) something else

Answer 1

I prefer this coat to the other one.

I prefer driving to travelling by train. or

I prefer driving rather than travelling by train.

I prefer to drive rather than travel by train.

Sarahprefers to live in the country rather than in a city.

Question 2

‘Would you prefer tea or coffee?’
‘Coffee, please.’

Answer 2

We use would prefer to say what somebody wants in a specific situation (not in general):

Question 3

would rather (I’d rather …)
I’d rather = I would rather. I’d rather do something = I’d prefer to do it.
We say I’d rather do (not to do). Compare:

Answer 3

Q: Shall we go by train?

A1 : I’d rather drive. (not to drive)

A2 : I’d prefer to drive

Question 4

would rather (I’d rather …)
I’d rather = I would rather. I’d rather do something = I’d prefer to do it.
We say I’d rather do (not to do). Compare:

The negative is ‘I**’d rather not **…’

Answer 4

• 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.

Question 5

We say ‘I’d rather do one thing than do another’:

Answer 5

I’d rather stay at home tonight than go to the cinema.

Question 6

I’d rather somebody did something
We say ‘I’d rather you did something’ (not I’d rather you do):

Answer 6

• 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?

Question 7

We use the past (drove, did etc.) here, but the meaning is present not past. Compare:

Answer 7

• I’d rather make dinner now.
• I’*d rather you made dinner now. (not I’d rather you make)

Question 8

I’d rather you didn’t (do something) = I’d prefer you not to do it:

Answer 8

• I’d rather you didn’t tell anyone what I said.
• Shall I tell Anna what happened?’ ‘I’d rather you didn’t.’
• Are you going to tell Anna what happened?’
  No. I’d rather she didn’t know.’