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. |