59. Prefer and would rather ENGLISH GRAMMAR IN USE FOR INTERMEDIATE

ENGLISH GRAMMAR IN USE FOR INTERMEDIATE

59. Prefer and would rather

A	Prefer to do and prefer doing ·         You can use 'prefer to (do)' or 'prefer -ing' to say what you prefer in general: ·         I don't like cities. I prefer to live in the country. or     I prefer living in the country. Study the differences in structure after prefer. We say: but I prefer I prefer I prefer something doing something to do something to something else. to doing something else. rather than (do) something else. ·         I prefer this coat to the coat you were wearing yesterday. ·         I prefer driving to travelling by train . ·         but I prefer to drive rather than travel by train. ·         Sarah prefers to live in the country rather than (live) in a city.
B	Would prefer (I'd prefer ... ) We use would prefer to say what somebody wants in a specific situation (not in general): ·         'Would you prefer tea or coffee?' 'Coffee, please.' We say 'would prefer to do something' (not usually would prefer doing): ·         'Shall we go by train?' 'I'd prefer to drive.' (not I'd prefer driving) ·         I'd prefer to stay at home tonight rather than go to the cinema.
C	Would rather (I'd rather ...) Would rather (do)= would prefer (to do). We use would rather+ infinitive (without to). Compare: The negative is 'I'd rather not (do something): ·         I'm tired. I'd rather not go out this evening, if you don't mind. ·         'Do you want to go out this evening? 'I'd rather not.' We say 'would rather do something than do something else': ·         I'd rather stay at home tonight than go to the cinema.
D	I'd rather somebody did something We say 'I'd rather you did something' (not I'd rather you do). For example: ·         'Who's going to drive, you or me?' 'I'd rather you drove.' (= I would prefer this) ·         'Jack says he'll repair your bike tomorrow, OK?' 'I'd rather he did it today.' ·         Are you going to tell Anna what happened, or would you rather I told her? In this structure we use the past (drove, did etc.), but the meaning is present not past. Compare: ·         I'd rather make dinner now. ·         I'd rather you made dinner now. (not I'd rather you make) I'd rather you didn't (do something) = I'd prefer you not to do it: ·         I'd rather you didn't tell anyone what I said. ·         'Are you going to tell Anna what happened?' 'No. I'd rather she didn't know.' ·         'Shall I tell Anna what happened?' 'I'd rather you didn't.'

EXERCISES

59.1	Which do you prefer? Write sentences using 'I prefer (something) to (something else)'. Put the verb into the correct form where necessary. 1 (drive /travel by train) _____I prefer driving to travelling by train. _________________________ 2 (basketball /football) I prefer _________________________________________________ 3 (go to the cinema I watch DVDs at home) I _________________________________________________to _____________________________________at home. 4 (be very busy I have nothing to do) I_________________________________________________ Now rewrite sentences 3 and 4 using the structure 'I prefer to (do something)'. 5 (1) ___I prefer to drive rather than travel by train ____________ 6 (3) I prefer ________________________________________ 7 (4) ________________________________________
59.2	Complete the sentences. Sometimes you need one word, sometimes more. A B 1 Shall we walk home? ___I’d rather ____ get a taxi. 2 Do you want to eat now? I’d prefer ___ to wait___ till later. 3 Would you like to watch TV? I’d _____ to listen to some music. 4 Do you want to go to a restaurant? I’d rather _________ at home. 5 Let's leave now. _________ wait a few minutes. 6 What about a game of tennis? I’d prefer _________ for a swim. 7 I think we should decide now. I’d _________ think about it for a while. 8 Would you like to sit down? _________ to stand. 9 Do you want me to come with you? I’d rather _________ alone. Now use the same ideas to complete these sentences using than and rather than. 10 I'd rather ___get ___a taxi __than walk__home. 11 I'd prefer _____________ for a swim _____________. 12 I'd rather _____________ at home _____________. 13 I'd prefer _____________ about it for a while_____________. 14 I'd rather _____________ some music _____________.
59.3	Complete the sentences using would you rather I .... 1 Are you going to make dinner or ___would you rather I made it____? 2 Are you going to tell Anna what happened or would you rather ______________? 3 Are you going to do the shopping or______________? 4 Are you going to phone Tanya or______________?
59.4	Use your own ideas to complete these sentences. 1 'Shall I tell Anna what happened?' 'No, I'd rather she ____didn’t _____know.' 2 Do you want me to go now or would you rather 1 ___________ here? 3 Do you want to go out this evening or would you rather ___________ at home? 4 This is a private matter. I'd rather you ___________ tell anybody else. 5 I don't want to make a decision without jack and Sue. I'd rather they ___________ here. 6 A: Do you mind if I put some music on? B: I'd rather you ___________. I'm trying to study.

ANSWER KEY