Rules Rather base verb Prefer infinitive or gerund
Rules Rather + base verb Prefer + infinitive or gerund • I’d rather stay here. • She’d rather go to the mall. • We’d rather not study. • I’d prefer to stay/staying here. • She’d prefer to go/going to the mall. • We’d prefer not to study/studying.
Choice Rather + than Prefer + gerund + to + gerund • I’d rather eat out than order • I’d prefer playing squash to pizza. going running. • She’d rather go to Cuba • She’d prefer buying a house than Florida. to renting one. • We’d rather do it today than • They’d prefer getting a dog tomorrow. to getting a cat.
Questions Yes or No Choice questions • Would you rather have tea ? • Would you prefer to stay home? • Would you prefer going to the movies? • Would you rather walk or take public transportation? • Would you prefer to study in the library or at the park? • Would you prefer going to the beach or the mountains?
Notes on ‘would’ Would and rather Would and prefer • With rather, we always use would. • With prefer, for the future we use would. – Would you rather have tea? – I’d rather go to Miami. – He would rather not come. – I would prefer to call you. – She’d prefer to buy a car. • For a general preference, would is not used. – I prefer cats to dogs. – Do you prefer New York?
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