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Would Rather Prefer

This document discusses the differences between using "would prefer" and "would rather" when expressing preferences. It notes that when discussing a specific preference, "would prefer" and "would rather" are interchangeable. However, when discussing general preferences, "prefer" is followed by a verb in the "-ing" form, while "would rather" is followed by an infinitive verb without "to". The document provides examples of how to properly use each expression in different contexts.

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Nerea Guib
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391 views

Would Rather Prefer

This document discusses the differences between using "would prefer" and "would rather" when expressing preferences. It notes that when discussing a specific preference, "would prefer" and "would rather" are interchangeable. However, when discussing general preferences, "prefer" is followed by a verb in the "-ing" form, while "would rather" is followed by an infinitive verb without "to". The document provides examples of how to properly use each expression in different contexts.

Uploaded by

Nerea Guib
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Would prefer, would rather:

expressing specific preference


When we speak about a specific
preference, would rather andwould
prefer have the same meaning and are
interchangeable.
Would rather can be abbreviated to 'd
rather.
Would prefer can be abbreviated to 'd
prefer.
Would rather is followed by thebare
infinitive.
Would prefer is followed by to +
infinitive or a noun.
We use a past tense after would
rather when we speak about the actions of
other people, even though that action may
be in the present or future.
We say:
would rather . . . than
We say:
would prefer . . . rather than / instead of

We went to the theatre yesterday. Today I


would rather go to the cinema.
We went to the theatre yesterday. Today I
would prefer to go to the cinema.
I'd rather go to the cinema.
I'd prefer to go to the cinema.

I'd rather have fruit juice.


I'd prefer to have fruit juice.
I'd prefer fruit juice.
I'd rather you took a taxi (instead of
walking) it's not safe on the streets at
night.
The film is quite violent. I'd rather our
children didn't watch it.
It's such nice weather I'd rathersit in the
garden than watch TV.
It's such nice weather I'd preferto sit in
the garden rather thanwatch TV.

Prefer, would rather:


expressing general preference
When we talk about general preferences, we
I prefer walking to cycling.
can use preferor would rather. The
I would rather walk than cycle.
meaning is the same.
I prefer using a keyboard to writing with a
After prefer we use the verb in the -ing
pen.
form.

We say: prefer . . . to . . .

Id rather use a keyboard than write with a


pen.
(Id = I would)
I prefer walking to driving.

We say: would rather . . . than . . .

Id rather walk than drive.

After would rather we use theinfinitive


without to.

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