Preferences are one of the most basic conversational demands when given a choice between two items, Which one to select. There are indeed different ways in English we can ask about preferences. To ask about people’s general tastes or preferences, we often use words like: prefer, would prefer, would rather and like to say we like or give priority one thing or activity more than another. Preferences (prefer, would prefer, would rather and like) Preferences (Prefer, Would Prefer, Would Rather And Like)To ask about people’s general tastes or preferences, we can use one of the following. Which do you prefer juice or water? I prefer water to juice.
Which do you prefer drinking juice or water? I prefer drinking water to juice. Which do you prefer to drink juice or water? I prefer to drink water. (Or I prefer drinking water to juice.). Which do you like better water or juice? I like water better than juice. Do you prefer water or juice?
I prefer water to juice. Would you prefer to see a movie or go to a club? I would prefer to see a movie. Would you rather go shopping with me? I would rather go shopping.These expressions mentioned in the sentences are quite different in meaning, in forms and different prepositions to sate choice.
The Difference in meaning (Prefer, would prefer and would rather)Prefer: We use the word ‘prefer’ to talk generally about likes, dislikes, what we want. I much prefer Jazz music to rock music. I prefer going to the beach to going to a swimming pool.Would rather and would prefer: We use the words would prefer and would rather when we speak about a specific preference, would rather and would prefer have the same meaning and are interchangeable. Remember that they are different in the form. I would rather play in the defense. I would prefer doing my homework to watching TV.Note: We can use Prefer, would rather to express general preference.
Rather and Prefer are words used to show a choice from different options. The lesson below shows you how to use rather and prefer properly in English. You can see the tests at the bottom of the page. Let’s start with some examples: Would you rather eat pizza or pasta? I would rather eat pizza. Would you prefer to eat pizza or pasta?
I prefer walking to cycling. (Expressing general preference).
I would rather walk than cycle. (Expressing general preference)Difference in form (Prefer, would prefer and would rather)Prefer and would prefer:Prefer and would prefer can be followed by Infinitive, Gerund and Noun. I prefer/ ‘d prefer living in a city. (Followed by gerund). I prefer/ ‘d prefer to live in a city. (Followed by infinitive). I prefer/ ‘d prefer eating Pakistani food. (Followed by the gerund).
I prefer/ ‘d prefer to eat Pakistani food. (Followed by infinitive). I prefer/ ‘d prefer fruit juice. (Followed by a noun)Would rather:Would rather is followed by the bare infinitive (base form of the verb). Would you rather stay at a hotel?.
I would rather stay at a hotel. I’d rather have fruit juice.Note 1: 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 (instead of walking) – it’s not safe on the streets at night.
The film is quite violent. I’d rather our children didn’t watch it.Note 2:We can use much with prefer, would prefer and would rather to make the preference stronger. I’d prefer living in a city to living in the country. I would prefer being alone to being with the wrong person”.
I prefer to live in a city than to live in the country.used with the infinitive form of a verb to indicate negation as a contrary choice or wish. We say: would prefer. Rather than / instead of. I’d prefer to sing rather than play the violin.I’d prefer to be happier rather than sad.Would rather: We use the preposition “than” to state choice with would rather. I’d rather walk than drive. They would rather play than work.Negative Answer:. Would you prefer to go skiing this year or beach holiday?.
I would prefer not to go skiing this year. I would prefer to go in the beach holiday.Like: We can use like to talk about things or people which we enjoy or feel positive about.Like + noun phrase. I like Sarah but I don’t like her brother much. Do you like pasta?.
She really likes the singing of Atif Aslam.Like + -ing. I like reading before breakfast. He likes telling jokes.Like + to-infinitive. She likes to go and see her parents at the weekend.
I don’t like to cycle in the dark. Do you think she would like us to bring some chocolates or flowers?Like + wh-clause. I don’t like what he did. We liked how they cooked the fish.We talked about preferences, which is one of the most conversational demands, for this purpose, we use the words: like, prefer, would prefer and would rather to say we give priority or like one thing more than another. Remember these words are not in any progressive tenses.
This grammar exercise tests your ability to use rather, would rather and rather than.
Rather usually goes before articles.
Rather can modify nouns. It usually goes before articles if there is no adjective. If there is an adjective it can go before or after articles.
3. We ........................ hoping he would leave soon.
Rather is an adverb. It goes after the auxiliary verb and before the main verb.
4. I would prefer to come on Tuesday .................... on Thursday.
5. I decided to phone rather than ..................
When the main clause has a to-infinitive, rather than is usually followed by an infinitive without to. An -ing form is also possible.
6. Would you rather ..................... here or go home.
Would rather is followed by an infinitive without to.
7. I would rather ....................... something to eat.
8. I would rather you ...................... me alone.
After would rather, we use a past tense with present or future meaning.
9. 'Should I turn the heating on?' 'I would rather you .....................
After would rather, we use a past tense with present or future meaning.
10. It is important to find new markets rather than .................... new people.
11. Rather than ........................ the last of my cash for a meal, I chose to stay hungry.
Please select 2 correct answers
Spend and spending are both possible here.
12. I would rather you ........................... that. You upset her.
A past perfect tense is used after rather than to talk about past actions.
Answers
1. He is rather a fool.
2. That was a rather good idea / rather a good idea.
3. We were rather hoping he would leave soon.
4. I would prefer to come on Tuesday rather than on Thursday.
5. I decided to phone rather than write / writing.
6. Would you rather stay here or go home?
7. I would rather have something to eat.
8. I would rather you left me alone.
9. ‘Should I turn the heating on?’ ‘I would rather you didn’t.
10. It is important to find new markets rather than hire / hiring new people.
11. Rather than spending / spend the last of my cash for a meal, I chose to stay hungry.
12. I would rather you hadn’t said that. You upset her.
2. That was a rather good idea / rather a good idea.
3. We were rather hoping he would leave soon.
4. I would prefer to come on Tuesday rather than on Thursday.
5. I decided to phone rather than write / writing.
6. Would you rather stay here or go home?
7. I would rather have something to eat.
8. I would rather you left me alone.
9. ‘Should I turn the heating on?’ ‘I would rather you didn’t.
10. It is important to find new markets rather than hire / hiring new people.
11. Rather than spending / spend the last of my cash for a meal, I chose to stay hungry.
12. I would rather you hadn’t said that. You upset her.