difference between would prefer, would rather, and prefer

Would rather, would prefer, prefer

How to use would rather, would prefer and prefer correctly.

Would rather vs. would prefer - to express a specific preference
When we speak about a specific preference,would rather and would prefer have the same meaning and are interchangeable.	We went to the theatre yesterday. Today Iwould rather go to the cinema. We went to the theatre yesterday. Today Iwould prefer to go to the cinema.
Would rather can be abbreviated to 'd rather. Would prefer can be abbreviated to 'd prefer.	I'd rather go to the cinema today. I'd prefer to go to the cinema today.
Would rather is followed by the bare infinitive. Would prefer is followed by to + infinitive.	I'd rather have water. I'd prefer to have fruit juice.
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.	I'd rather you took a taxi than walk - it's not safe on the streets at night.  The film is quite violent. I'd rather our children didn't watch it.
When making a comparison we say: would rather ... than	It's such nice weather - I'd rather sit in the garden than watch TV.
After would prefer we say: would prefer ... rather than	It's such nice weather - I'd prefer to sit in the garden rather than watch TV.

Prefer vs. would rather - to express a general preference
When we talk about general preferences we can use prefer or would rather. The meaning is the same.	I prefer walking to cycling. I'd rather walk than cycle.
After prefer we use the verb in its ing form. After would rather we use than.	I prefer using a keyboard to writing with a pen.I'd rather use a keyboard than write with a pen.

Rather and Prefer are words used to show a choice from 
different options.

For example:

• Would you rather eat pizza or pasta?
  
• I would rather eat pizza.
  

• Would you prefer to eat pizza or pasta?
  
• I would prefer to eat pizza.
  

STRUCTURE
The structure of these sentences are the same except for one 
small difference:Would Rather is followed by a base verb and Would Prefer is 
followed by an infinitive.

Subject  +  Would  +  Rather  +  Base Verb

• I would rather live in a warm country.
  
• I would rather go to a different restaurant.
  

Subject  +  Would  +  Prefer  +  To  +  Verb

• I would prefer to live in a warm country.
  
• She would prefer to meet on Monday.
  

Not comes before the verb with both rather and prefer.

• I would rather not go to work today.
  
• I would prefer not to play a game.