UNIT 32
Preferences: Prefer, Would prefer, Wolud rather
1. Use prefer, would prefer, and would rather to talk about things that you like better than
other things.
Usage Note: We often use prefer for a general preference and would prefer or would rather
for a preference in a particular situation.
We usually prefer ltalian food.
I’d prefer to have Chinese food tonight.
I’d rather cook at home.
Which do you prefer-chicken or shrimp?
Would you prefer chicken or shrimp tonight?
2. Prefer and would prefer may be followed by a noun, a gerund, or an infinitive.
Would rather can be followed by only the base form of the verb.
Usage Note: We often use I’d rather not, by itself, to refuse an offer, suggestion, or
invitation.
Be careful! The negative of I’d rather is I’d rather not.
I usually prefer the newspaper.
Does Bill prefer reading magazines?
He’d prefer to watch TV.
I’d rather stay home tonight.
A: Would you like to have some dessert? B: I’d rather not. I’ve had enough to eat.
I’d rather not have dessert. Not I wouldn’t rather have dessert.
3. A comparison with to may follow prefer/would prefer + gerund.
A comparison with to may also follow prefer/would prefer + gerund.
A comparison with than may follow would rather + base form of the verb.
Lani prefers comedies to action movies.
I’d prefer visiting Lani to going to the party.
I’d rather watch football than play it.