059 : prefer and would rather

   A   

Prefer to do and prefer doing

 

 

You can use 'prefer to (do)' or 'prefer -ing' to say what you prefer in general:

• I don't like cities. I prefer to live in the country.  or  I prefer living in the country.

 

Study the differences in structure after prefer. We say:

I prefer	something	to something else.
I prefer	doing something	to doing something else.
but   I prefer	to do something	rather than (do) something else.

• I prefer this coat to the coat you were wearing yesterday.
• I prefer driving to travelling by train.
• I prefer to drive rather than travel by train.
• Sarah prefers to live in the country rather than (live) in a city.

 

 

   B   

Would prefer (I'd prefer ... )

 

 

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.' (not I'd prefer driving)
• I'd prefer to stay at home tonight rather than go to the cinema.

 

 

   C   

Would rather (I'd rather ... )

 

 

Would rather (do) = would prefer (to do).

We use would rather + infinitive (without to). Compare:

• 'Shall we go by train?'
  'I'd prefer to drive.'
  'I'd rather drive.' (not to drive)
• 'Would you rather have tea or coffee?'   'Coffee, please.'

 

The negative is 'I'd rather not (do something)':

• 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 'would rather do something than do something else':

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

 

 

   D   

I'd rather somebody did something

 

 

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

• '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?

 

In this structure we use the past (drove, did etc.), 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.
• 'Are you going to tell Anna what happened?'   'No. I'd rather she didn't know.'
• 'Shall I tell Anna what happened?'   'I'd rather you didn't.'