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Unit 57 Prefer and Would Rather

The document discusses different ways to express preferences in English using phrases like "prefer to", "prefer doing", "would prefer", "would rather", and "I'd rather you did". It provides examples of how to use each phrase correctly based on whether you are expressing a general preference or preference in a specific situation. Key differences covered include using "to do" with prefer and "doing" with preferring, and using the past tense like "did" after "I'd rather you".

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Jasmin Manalo Aquino
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147 views5 pages

Unit 57 Prefer and Would Rather

The document discusses different ways to express preferences in English using phrases like "prefer to", "prefer doing", "would prefer", "would rather", and "I'd rather you did". It provides examples of how to use each phrase correctly based on whether you are expressing a general preference or preference in a specific situation. Key differences covered include using "to do" with prefer and "doing" with preferring, and using the past tense like "did" after "I'd rather you".

Uploaded by

Jasmin Manalo Aquino
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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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:


I prefer something to something
I prefer doing something to doing something else.
but I prefer to do something rather than (do) something else
 I prefer this coat to the coat you were wearing yesterday.
 I prefer driving to traveling by train.

but

 I prefer to drive rather than travel by train.


 Ann prefers to live in the country rather than in a city. or . . . 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” (not doing):


 “Should we take a train?” “No, I’d prefer to drive.” (not I’d prefer driving)
 I’d prefer to stay at home tonight rather than go to the movies.
C. Would rather (I’d rather . . . )
Would rather (do) = would prefer (to do). We use would rather + base fomr
(do/have/stay, etc.). Compare:
“I’d prefer to drive.”
 “Should we take the train?” “I’d rather drive.” (not to drive)

 “Would you rather have tea or coffee?” “Coffee, please.”

The negative is I’d rather not (do something):


 I’m tired. I’d rather not go out tonight, if you don’t mind.
 “Do you want to go out tonight?” “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 movies.

D. I’d rather you did something


We say “I’d rather you did something” (not I’d rather you do). For example:
 “I’ll fir your car tomorrow, OK?” “I’d rather you did it today.” (= I’d prefer this)
 “Is it OK if Ben stays here?” “I’d rather he came with us.” (not he comes)
 Shall I tell them, or would you rather they didn’t know? (not don’t know)

In this structure, we use the past (did/came, etc.), but the meaning is not past.
Compare:
 I’d rather make dinner now.
but I’d rather you made dinner now. (not I’d rather you make)

I’d rather you didn’t (do something) = I’d prefer that you not do it:
 I’d rather you didn’t tell anyone what I said.
 “Should I tell Stephanie?” “I’d rather you didn’t.”
Exercises
57.1 Which do you prefer? Write sentences using I prefer (something) to (something else).
Put the verb into the correct form where necessary.
1. (drive / fly
I prefer driving to flying.
____________________________________________________________________________________
2. (tennis / soccer)
I prefer _____________________________________________________________________________
3. (call people / send e-mails)
I ________________________________________ to ________________________________________
4. (go to the movies / watch videos at home)
____________________________________________________________________________________
Now rewrite sentences 3 and 4 using the structure I prefer to (do something) rather than
(something else).
5. I prefer to drive rather than fly.
(1) _________________________________________________________________________________
6. (3) I prefer to _______________________________________________________________________
7. (4) _________________________________________________________________________________

57.2 Write sentences using I’d prefer . . . or I’d rather . . . + the following:
eat at home take a taxi go alone
wait a few minutes listen to some music stand
go for a swim wait till later think about it for a while
1. Should we walk home? I’d prefer to take a taxi.
(prefer) ___________________________________
2. Do you want to eat now? I’d rather wait till later.
(rather) ___________________________________
3. Would you like to watch TV? (rather) ___________________________________
4. Do you want to go to a restaurant? (prefer) ___________________________________
5. Let’s leave now. (rather) ___________________________________
57.2 Write sentences using I’d prefer . . . or I’d rather . . . + the following:
eat at home take a taxi go alone
wait a few minutes listen to some music stand
go for a swim wait till later think about it for a while

6. What about a game of tennis? (rather) ___________________________________


7. I think we should decide now. (prefer) ___________________________________
8. Would you like to sit down? (rather) ___________________________________
9. Do you want me to come with you? (prefer) ___________________________________
Now use the same ideas to complete these sentences using than and rather than.
10. I’d prefer to take a taxi _____________________________________________________________
11. I’d prefer to go for a swim ___________________________________________________________
12. I’d rather eat at home ______________________________________________________________
13. I’d prefer to think about it for a while ________________________________________________
14. I’d rather listen to some music _______________________________________________________

57.3 Complete the sentences using would you rather I . . . .


would you rather I made it
1. Are you going to make dinner or __________________________________________________?
2. Are you going to tell Ann what happened or would you rather ______________________?
3. Are you going to go shopping or ___________________________________________________?
4. Are you going to call Diane or _____________________________________________________?

57.4 Complete the sentences.


1. “Should I tell Ann the news?” “No, I’d rather she ________________
didn‘t know.”
2. Do you want me to go now, or would you rather I ________________________ here?
3. Do you want to go out tonight or would you rather ________________________ at home?
4. This is a private letter addressed to me. I’d rather you ______________________ read it.
5. I don’t really like these shoes. I’d rather they ________________________ a different color.
6. A: Do you mind if I turn on the radio?
B: I’d rather you ________________________. I’m trying to study.

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