Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 59 · B1

prefer and would rather

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.

Start the lesson

16Steps · about 28 minutes

In this lesson

prefer to ... and prefer -ingA2 screens of questions
would prefer (I'd prefer)B1 screen of questions
would rather (I'd rather)C3 screens of questions
I'd rather somebody did somethingD1 screen of questions
Put it together+3 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 4

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.

Point A · Exercise 59.1 · part 1 of 2

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.

  1. Example

    (cycling / getting the bus)

    I prefer cycling to getting the bus.

    Example answerI prefer cycling to getting the bus.

  2. Example

    (1, with rather than)

    I prefer to cycle rather than get the bus.

    Example answerI prefer to cycle rather than get the bus.

  3. (rugby / football)

  4. (going to the cinema / watching films at home)

  5. (working with a team / working on my own)

  6. (3, with rather than)

Point A · Exercise 59.1 · part 2 of 2

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.

  1. (4, with rather than)

Point B of 4

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.

Point B · Extra practice

Complete each answer with I'd prefer to and the verb in brackets.

  1. "Shall we get the train?" " drive."

  2. "Do you want to eat out?" " stay in tonight."

  3. "Would you tea or coffee?" "Tea, please."

Point C of 4

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.

Point C · Exercise 59.4 · part 1 of 3

Complete each sentence with one or two words.

  1. Example

    "Shall I tell Kim what happened?" "No, I'd rather she didn't know."

    Answer"Shall I tell Kim what happened?" "No, I'd rather she didn't know."

  2. You can come if you like, but I'd rather you . I need some time on my own.

  3. I can't stand this programme. I'd rather not it.

  4. I'd rather work outdoors work in an office.

  5. This is private. I'd rather you tell anybody else.

Point C · Exercise 59.4 · part 2 of 3

Complete each sentence with one or two words.

  1. I like this flat, but I'd rather it a bit nearer the station.

  2. I'm not going to the concert. I'd prefer it on the radio.

  3. "Shall I turn the music up?" "I'd rather you . I'm trying to read."

  4. I can't stand ironing. I'd rather someone else it.

Point C · Exercise 59.4 · part 3 of 3

Complete each sentence with one or two words.

  1. I'd prefer to go for a picnic sit in a restaurant.

Point D of 4

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."

Point D · Exercise 59.3

Complete the questions with would you rather I ... .

  1. Example

    Are you going to cook tea, or would you rather I cooked it?

    AnswerAre you going to cook tea, or would you rather I cooked it?

  2. Are you going to ring the taxi firm, or would you rather ?

  3. Are you going to do the big shop, or would you rather ?

  4. Are you going to ring your mum, or would you rather ?

Put it together · Exercise 59.2 · part 1 of 3

Complete B's answers. Sometimes you need one word, sometimes more.

  1. Example

    A: Shall we cycle into town? B: I'd rather get the bus.

    AnswerShall we cycle into town? I'd rather get the bus.

  2. Example

    (1) I'd rather get a taxi than walk home.

    AnswerI'd rather get a taxi than walk home.

  3. A: Shall I put the kettle on? B: I'd prefer until the others arrive.

  4. A: Would you like to watch something? B: I'd to listen to some music.

  5. A: Shall we go out for a meal? B: I'd rather at home.

  6. A: Let's go now. B: I'd rather a few minutes.

Put it together · Exercise 59.2 · part 2 of 3

Complete B's answers. Sometimes you need one word, sometimes more.

  1. A: How about a game of squash? B: I'd prefer for a swim.

  2. A: Let's book the holiday tonight. B: I'd sleep on it first.

  3. A: Would you like to sit down? B: to stand.

  4. A: Shall I wait for you outside? B: Thanks, but I'd rather in on my own.

Put it together · Exercise 59.2 · part 3 of 3

Complete B's answers. Sometimes you need one word, sometimes more.

  1. (4) I'd rather eat at home go out for a meal.

  2. (3) I'd prefer to listen to some music watch something.

  3. (5) I'd rather wait a few minutes go now.

  4. (6) I'd prefer to go for a swim play squash.

Lesson 59 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Preposition (in/for/about etc.) + -ingBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. prefer to ... and prefer -ing–Not checkedB. would prefer (I'd prefer)–Not checkedC. would rather (I'd rather)–Not checkedD. I'd rather somebody did something–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked