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Unit 59 · -ing and to …

prefer and would rather

Study

A

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
›

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.

›

Sarah prefers to live in the country rather than in a city.

B

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

›

'Would you prefer tea or coffee?' 'Coffee, please.'

We say 'would prefer to do something' (not usually would prefer doing):

›

'Shall we go by train?' 'I'd prefer to drive.' (= I would prefer …)

›

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

C

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:

›

'Shall we go by train?' 'I'd rather drive.' (not to drive)

›

'I'd prefer to drive.'

›

Which would you rather do, go to the cinema or go shopping?

›

Which would you prefer to do, go to the cinema or go shopping?

The negative is 'I'd rather not …' :

›

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.'

We say 'I'd rather do one thing than do another':

›

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

D

We say 'I'd rather you did something' (not I'd rather you do):

›

'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?

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

›

I'd rather make dinner now.

›

I'd rather you made dinner now. (not I'd rather you make)

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

›

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.'

would prefer ➜ Unit 58B · prefer (one thing) to (another) ➜ Unit 136D

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked
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59.1

Which do you prefer? Write sentences using 'I prefer (something) to (something else)'. Now rewrite sentences 3 and 4 using rather than:

  1. 1
    (driving / travelling by train) example
  2. 2
    (basketball / football)
  3. 3
    (going to the cinema / watching movies at home)
  4. 4
    (being very busy / having nothing to do)
  5. 5
    (1) example
  6. 6
    (3)
  7. 7
    (4)
59.2

Complete the sentences. Sometimes you need one word, sometimes more. Now use the same ideas to complete these sentences using than and rather than.

  1. 1
    Shall we walk home?
    I'd rather a taxi.example
  2. 2
    Do you want to eat now?
    I'd prefer till later.example
  3. 3
    Would you like to watch TV?
    I'd to listen to some music.
  4. 4
    Do you want to go to a restaurant?
    I'd rather at home.
  5. 5
    Let's go now.
    wait a few minutes.
  6. 6
    What about a game of tennis?
    I'd prefer for a swim.
  7. 7
    I think we should decide now.
    I'd think about it for a while.
  8. 8
    Would you like to sit down?
    I'd prefer to stand.
  9. 9
    Do you want me to come with you?
    I'd rather alone.
  10. 10
    (1)
    I'd rather get a taxi wait for a bus.example
  11. 11
    (3)
    I'd rather listen to some music watch TV.
  12. 12
    (4)
    I'd prefer to eat/stay at home go to a restaurant.
  13. 13
    (6)
    I'd rather go for a swim play tennis.
  14. 14
    (7)
    I'd prefer to think about it for a while decide now.
59.3

Complete the sentences using would you rather I … .

  1. 1
    Are you going to make dinner or ?example
  2. 2
    Are you going to pay the bill or ?
  3. 3
    Are you going to do the shopping or ?
  4. 4
    Are you going to phone Tina or ?
59.4

Use your own ideas (one or two words) to complete these sentences.

  1. 1
    'Shall I tell Anna what happened?'
    'No, I'd rather she know.'example
  2. 2
    You can stay here if you want to, but I'd rather you with us.
  3. 3
    I don't like this programme. I'd rather not it.
  4. 4
    I'd rather work outdoors work in an office.
  5. 5
    This is a private matter. I'd rather you tell anybody else.
  6. 6
    The weather here isn't bad, but I'd rather it a little warmer.
  7. 7
    I don't want to go to the match. I'd prefer it on TV.
  8. 8
    'Do you mind if I open the window?'
    'I'd rather you . I'm feeling cold.'
  9. 9
    I hate doing the shopping. I'd rather somebody else it.
  10. 10
    I'd prefer to go to the beach go shopping.