Prefer and would rather Prefer to do and prefer doing refer in general: You ean use ‘prefer to (do) or prefer ing’ to say what YOU P rae living in the counn ‘© I don’t like cities. I prefer to live in the country. OF ry. Study the differences in structure after prefer. We say: Ise. refer in 0 something el 1c dag machi doing something but _Uprefer todo something rather than (do) something else. © prefer this coat to the coat you were wearing yesterday. © I prefer driving to travelling by train ‘but © | prefer to drive rather than travel by train. 5 © Ann prefers to live in the country rather than (live) in city Would prefer ('d prefer... We nse pould Sart a what somebody wants ina particular situation (not in general): © ‘Would you prefer tea or coffee?” ‘Coffee, please.’ We say ‘would prefer to do’ (not ‘doing’): r “ © ‘Shall we go by train?” ‘Well, I'd prefer to go by car.’ (not ‘I'd prefer going’) © I'd prefer to stay at home tonight rather than go to the cinema. Would rather (Vd rather.) : ‘ Would rather (do) = would prefer (to do). After would rather we use the infinitive without to Compare: : {Pd prefer to go by ca © ‘Shall we go by train? { ‘Td rather go by car.’ (not ‘to go") © ‘Would you rather have tea or coffee?” “Coffee, please.” ‘The negative is‘'d rather not (do something): © Tm 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. Study the structure after would rather: Vdrrather do something than (do) something else. © I'd rather stay at home tonight than go to the cinema, Vd rather you did something ‘When you want somebody to do something, you can say ‘ad rather you did something’ © ‘Shall I stay here?” ‘T'd rather you came with us,” © ‘Shall tell them the news?" “No. I'd rather they didn't know.” © Shall {tell them oF would you rather they didn't know? {e.slb era we ub he’ pat feaney dee) bt the mtn i prcobar oc fate nt ‘ompare: 'd rather cook the dinner now. but © I'd rather you cooked the dinner now. (not The negative is 'd rather you didn’t,,.: © I'd rather you didn't tell anyone what I said, © ‘Do you mind if | smoke?" ‘I'd rather you didn't” ‘Vd rather you cook’) Preter..to..» [RES58.1 uniT EXERCISES 58 Which do you prefer? Write sentences using I". serb into the correct form where necesaary, ctatadigne morcnlgeele Pare 1 (drive / travel by train) | prefer driving to travel 2 (cennis / football) 1 prefer ieee 3 (phone people / write letters) 1 to 4 (go to the cinema / watch films on TV) Now rewrite sentences 3 and 4 using the structure ising the structure ‘I prefer (to do something)... 5 11) J prefer to, drive rather than travel by train 6 0) 1 prefer to 7 Write sentences using V'd prefer... or V'd rather... + one of the following: catathome geteteai go alone go for aswim listen to some music stand think about it for a while waita few minutes waieslHHater Shall we walk home?) {(prefer) Pa prefer te get a taxi Do you want to eat now? |_| (rather). rather walt til later. Shall we watch TV? |_| (prefer) What about a game of tennis? |__| (rather) Shall we leave now? |__| (rather) Do you want to go toa restaurant? | | (prefer) I think we should decide now? |_| (rather) Would you like to sit down? |_| (rather) Do you want me to come with you?) | (prefer) Now write sentences using than and rather than. 10 (get a taxi / walk home) I'd prefer te get. tani rather than walk home.. 11 (go fora swim / play tennis) Pd rather 12 (wait a few minutes / leave now) Pd rather 13 (eat at home / go to a restaurant) Td prefer 14 (think about it for a while / decide now) Pd rather Complete the sentences using would you rather I.. 1 Are you going to cook the dinner or .would you rather.| cooked 2 Are you going to tell Ann what happened or would you rather 3. Are you going to do the shopping or 4 Are you going to answer the phone or Use your own ideas t0 complete these sentences. 1 ‘Shall I tell Ann the news? ‘No, I'd rather she . didn't. know.’ 2 Do you want me to go now or would you rather | here? 3. Do you want to go out this evening or would you rather Rta 4 This is a private letter addressed to me. Ud rather you read it. 5 6 x bit bigger. Ie’ quite a nice house but 'd rather it a bit big : : Do you mind if turn on the radio?” ‘Tid rather you «Pm trying to study, 17