Prefer for what you like better in general; would prefer to and would rather (without to) for a particular occasion; I'd rather you did something, with a past verb and a present meaning.
A prefer to ... and prefer -ing
For a general preference, use prefer to ... or prefer -ing.
The patterns:
- prefer one thing to another thing
- prefer doing one thing to doing another
- prefer to do one thing rather than (do) another
- I find big cities exhausting. I prefer to live somewhere quiet.
- I prefer living in the country.
- I prefer this jumper to the blue one.
- I prefer cycling to getting the bus.
- I prefer cycling rather than getting the bus.
- I prefer to cycle rather than get the bus.
- Lisa prefers to live in a village rather than in a town.
B would prefer (I'd prefer)
Would prefer says what somebody wants in a particular situation, not in general. It is followed by to do, not usually -ing.
- "Would you prefer tea or coffee?" "Tea, please."
- "Shall we get the train?" "I'd prefer to drive."
- I'd prefer to stay in tonight rather than go to the pictures.
C would rather (I'd rather)
I'd rather do something = I'd prefer to do it. It is I'd rather do, never I'd rather to do.
The negative is I'd rather not.
When you compare: I'd rather do this than do that.
- "Shall we get the train?" "I'd rather drive." (not to drive)
- Which would you rather do, go bowling or go shopping?
- I'm shattered. I'd rather not go out tonight, if that's all right.
- "Do you fancy going out?" "I'd rather not."
- I'd rather stay in tonight than go to the pictures.
D I'd rather somebody did something
We say I'd rather you did something, not I'd rather you do. The verb is past (drove, did), but the meaning is present.
I'd rather you didn't means I'd prefer you not to.
- "Who's driving, you or me?" "I'd rather you drove."
- "Rob says he'll fix your gate tomorrow, all right?" "I'd rather he did it today."
- Do you want to ring the landlord, or would you rather I did it?
- I'd rather cook tea now.
- I'd rather you cooked tea now. (not I'd rather you cook)
- I'd rather you didn't mention this to anyone.
- "Shall I tell Kim?" "I'd rather you didn't."
Exercises
59.1 Which do you prefer? Write sentences with I prefer (something) to (something else). In 5 to 7, rewrite sentences 1, 3 and 4 with rather than.
(cycling / getting the bus)
Example answer: I prefer cycling to getting the bus.
(rugby / football)
Example answer: I prefer rugby to football.
(going to the cinema / watching films at home)
Example answer: I prefer watching films at home to going to the cinema.
(working with a team / working on my own)
Example answer: I prefer working with a team to working on my own.
(1, with rather than)
Example answer: I prefer to cycle rather than get the bus.
(3, with rather than)
Example answer: I prefer to watch films at home rather than go to the cinema.
(4, with rather than)
Example answer: I prefer to be very busy rather than have nothing to do.
59.2 Complete B's answers. Sometimes you need one word, sometimes more.
A: Shall we cycle into town? B: I'd rather get the bus.
Shall we cycle into town? I'd rather get the bus.
A: Shall I put the kettle on? B: I'd prefer until the others arrive.
Shall I put the kettle on? I'd prefer to wait until the others arrive.
A: Would you like to watch something? B: I'd to listen to some music.
Would you like to watch something? I'd prefer to listen to some music.
A: Shall we go out for a meal? B: I'd rather at home.
Shall we go out for a meal? I'd rather eat at home.
A: Let's go now. B: I'd rather a few minutes.
Let's go now. I'd rather wait a few minutes.
A: How about a game of squash? B: I'd prefer for a swim.
How about a game of squash? I'd prefer to go for a swim.
A: Let's book the holiday tonight. B: I'd sleep on it first.
Let's book the holiday tonight. I'd rather sleep on it first.
A: Would you like to sit down? B: to stand.
Would you like to sit down? I'd prefer to stand.
A: Shall I wait for you outside? B: Thanks, but I'd rather in on my own.
Shall I wait for you outside? Thanks, but I'd rather go in on my own.
(1) I'd rather get a taxi than walk home.
I'd rather get a taxi than walk home.
(4) I'd rather eat at home go out for a meal.
I'd rather eat at home than go out for a meal.
(3) I'd prefer to listen to some music watch something.
I'd prefer to listen to some music rather than watch something.
(5) I'd rather wait a few minutes go now.
I'd rather wait a few minutes than go now.
(6) I'd prefer to go for a swim play squash.
I'd prefer to go for a swim rather than play squash.
59.3 Complete the questions with would you rather I ... .
Are you going to cook tea, or would you rather I cooked it?
Are you going to cook tea, or would you rather I cooked it?
Are you going to ring the taxi firm, or would you rather ?
Are you going to ring the taxi firm, or would you rather I rang them?
Are you going to do the big shop, or would you rather ?
Are you going to do the big shop, or would you rather I did it?
Are you going to ring your mum, or would you rather ?
Are you going to ring your mum, or would you rather I rang her?
59.4 Complete each sentence with one or two words.
"Shall I tell Kim what happened?" "No, I'd rather she didn't know."
"Shall I tell Kim what happened?" "No, I'd rather she didn't know."
You can come if you like, but I'd rather you . I need some time on my own.
You can come if you like, but I'd rather you didn't. I need some time on my own.
I can't stand this programme. I'd rather not it.
I can't stand this programme. I'd rather not watch it.
I'd rather work outdoors work in an office.
I'd rather work outdoors than work in an office.
This is private. I'd rather you tell anybody else.
This is private. I'd rather you didn't tell anybody else.
I like this flat, but I'd rather it a bit nearer the station.
I like this flat, but I'd rather it was a bit nearer the station.
I'm not going to the concert. I'd prefer it on the radio.
I'm not going to the concert. I'd prefer to listen to it on the radio.
"Shall I turn the music up?" "I'd rather you . I'm trying to read."
"Shall I turn the music up?" "I'd rather you didn't. I'm trying to read."
I can't stand ironing. I'd rather someone else it.
I can't stand ironing. I'd rather someone else did it.
I'd prefer to go for a picnic sit in a restaurant.
I'd prefer to go for a picnic rather than sit in a restaurant.