Prefer and would rather

Question 1

You can use prefer to (do) and prefer ___ to say what you prefer in gen____.

Answer 1

You can use prefer to (do) and prefering 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.

Question 2

I prefer something t_ something else.

I prefer doing something to d____ something else.

I prefer to do something r_____ t____ (do) something else.

Answer 2

I prefer something to something else.

I prefer doing something to doing something else.

I prefer to do something rahter than (do) something else.

I prefer this coat to the coat you were wearing yesterday.

I prefer driving to traveling by train.

I prefer to drive rather than travel by train.

Ann prefers to live in the country rather than in a city. (or rather than live in a city).

Question 3

In a spe_____ situation (not in gen____), we use would prefer (I’d prefer).

Answer 3

In a specific situation (not in general), we use would prefer (I’d prefer).

Would you prefer tea or coffee?

Note: we say would prefer to do _{(<em>not</em> doing)}:

“Should we take the train?” “No, I’d prefer to drive”. _{(not I’d preferdriving)}

I‘d prefer to stay at home tonight rather than go to the movies.

Question 4

Would prefer (to do)= w____ r____ (do) + base form.

Answer 4

Would prefer (to do)= would rather (do) = I’d rather + base form)

“Should we take the train?” “I_‘d prefer to drive_.” or “I_‘d rather 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 tonight.

“Do you want to go out tonight?” “I’d rather not.”

Question 5

We say I’d rather ^{<em><strong>you</strong></em>} did something, but the meaning is not p___.

Answer 5

We say I’d rather ^{<strong><em>you</em> </strong>}did something, but the meaning is not past.

“I’ll fix your car tomorrow, OK?” “I_‘d rather_ you did it today.”

“Is it OK if Ben stays here?” “I_‘d rather_ he came with us.”

Negative: I’d rather you didn’t tell anyone what I said.

Compare: I’d rather ^you + past vs I’d rather + base form _{(see before)}.

Question 6

Complete comparison. I prefer ____ (drive) to ____ (fly).

Answer 6

Complete comparison. I prefer driving to flying. _{(I prefer in general)}

Question 7

Complete comparison. I prefer soccer __ tennis.

Answer 7

Complete comparison. I prefer soccer to tennis. _{(I prefer in general)}

Question 8

Complete comparison. I prefer _____ (call) people to _____ (send) e-mails.

Answer 8

Complete comparison. I prefer _____ (call) people to _____ (send) e-mails. _{(I preferin general)}

Question 9

Complete comparison. I prefer to call people ____ ____ send e-mails.

Answer 9

Complete comparison. I prefer to call people rather than send e-mails. _{(I prefer in general)}

Question 10

Complete comparison. I’d prefer to take a taxi ____ ____ walk home.

Answer 10

Complete comparison. I’d prefer to take a taxi rather than walk home. _{(I’d prefer = specific situation)}

Note: rather than + base form.

Question 11

Complete comparison. I’d prefer to go for a swim ____ ____ play tennis.

Answer 11

Complete comparison. I’d prefer to go for a swim rather than play tennis. _{(I’d prefer = specific situation)}

_{Note: rather than <em>+ base form.</em>}

Question 12

Complete comparison. I’d rather eat at home ____ go to a restaurant.

Answer 12

Complete comparison. I’d rather eat at home than go to a restaurant. _{(I’d rather = specific situation)}

_{Note: rather than<em>+ base form</em>.}

Question 13

Complete comparison. I’d prefer to think about it for a while ____ ____ decide now.

Answer 13

Complete comparison. I’d prefer to think about it for a while rather than decide now. _{(I’d prefer = specific situation)}

_{Note: rather than<em>+ base form</em>.}

Question 14

Complete comparison. I’d rather listen to some music _____ watch TV.

Answer 14

Complete comparison. I’d rather listen to some music than watch TV. _{(I’d rather = specific situation)}

_{Note: rather than<em>+ base form</em>.}

Question 15

Use would you rather I. Are you going to make dinner or _____.

Answer 15

Use would you rather I. Are you going to make dinner or would you rather I made it. _{(we use the past)}

Question 16

Use would you rather I. Are you going to tell Ann what happened or _____.

Answer 16

Use would you rather I. Are you going to tell Ann what happened or would you rather I told her. _{(we use the past)}

Question 17

Use would you rather I. Are you going to go shopping or _____.

Answer 17

Use would you rather I. Are you going to go shopping or would you rather I went. _{(we use the past)}

Question 18

Use would you rather I. Are you going to call Diane or _____.

Answer 18

Use would you rather I. Are you going to call Diane or would you rather I called her. (we use the past)

Question 19

Complete the sentence. “Should I tell Ann the news?” “No, I’d rather she _____ know.

Answer 19

Complete the sentence. “Should I tell Ann the news?” “No, I’d rather she didn’t know. _{(we use the past)}

Question 20

Complete the sentence. Do you want me to go out tonight or would you rather I _____ (stay) here?

Answer 20

Complete the sentence. Do you want me to go out tonight or would you rather I stayed here? _{(we use the past)}

Question 21

Complete the sentence. Do you want to go out tonight or would you rather _____ (stay) here? (we use the past)

Answer 21

Complete the sentence. Do you want to go out tonight or would you rather stay here? (we don’t use the past: not subjonctive )

Question 22

Complete the sentence. This is a private letter adderessed to me. I’d rather you _____ read it.

Answer 22

Complete the sentence. This is a private letter adderessed to me. I’d rather you didn’t read it. _{(we use the past)}