Preferences are one of the most basic conversational requirements when given the choice between two subjects, which one to choose. And to ask about the general tastes or preferences of people, words like prefer, would prefer, would rather (sonner) and like are often used in English to say that we love or prioritize one thing or activity more than another. In this article, we'll take a closer look at each phrase.
Prefer 3 verb forms
The word prefer and its transcription in English is a regular verb and therefore its second and third forms are the same.
- I ' d prefer to go to Mexico this year rather than go on a beach holiday. - I would rather go to Mexico this year than a beach vacation.
When talking about our preferences for another person's actions, we can use the following formula: would prefer + object pronoun + to-infinitive or would prefer it if + past simple:
- They ’ d prefer us to come tomorrow. “They would prefer us to come tomorrow. (Or They ’ d prefer it if we came tomorrow).
- We prefer to go with mother instead of staying here with dad. “We prefer to go with Mom rather than stay here with Dad.
Prefer to do or doing
There are a number of verbs after which it can be used. Prefer is no exception. As mentioned above, you can use to-infinitive and gerund with this verb, but many foreign sources claim that there is still a difference in use.
(would) prefer + noun(noun) or used when talking about specific preferences, that is, about what we prefer in a particular case.
- Most people prefer to have breakfast in their bedroom. - Many people prefer to have breakfast in their bedroom.
But when we talk about general preferences, that is, about what we prefer in general, at every opportunity, then we use or noun.
- I prefer swimming, but Sheldon loves running. - I prefer swimming, but Sheldon loves to run.
Would rather / sooner + simple or long infinitive
Would rather / sooner has the same meaning as would prefer and is used without the to particle. Would rather and would sooner are the same in meaning, but the expression would rather is used more often.
- These phrases + Simple and Continuous Infinitive express a preference in the present:
- I ' d rather go by bike than walk. - I'd rather ride a bike than walk.
- Where would you rather sleep? - Where would you rather sleep?
- I ' d rather be training my muscles. - I'd rather train my muscles.
- The negative form is formed with the not particle:
- I would rather not stay at home tonight. “I wouldn't want to stay at home tonight.
- If we omit rather, we get the main clause - clause second conditional type:
- Where would you go? (if you could choose)? - Where would you go? (if you could choose)?
Would rather / would sooner + perfect infinitive
Expresses a preference for the past and means that the desired action was not taken.
— Would you rather have had an apple than pineapple? - Would you rather an apple than a pineapple?
- I ' d rather have walked, but I went by bus because it was snowing. - I would prefer to go on foot, but I took the bus as it was snowing.
If we omit the word rather, we get conditional clause of the third type:
- I would have walked, if it hadn’t been snowing.
Would rather / would sooner + clause with the past subjunctive
If we want to tell someone to do something, then we use the following construction: would rather / sooner someone did something
- I ' d rather you didn’t smoke in here. - I wish you weren't smoking here.
Note that we are using the past subjunctive, but we are talking about the present or the future.
- Sam would sooner I returned his electric drill. (Sam would like me to return his electric drill) - Sam would like me to return his electric drill to him.
This construction can be replaced by using second type of conditional clause with the word prefer:
- I ' d prefer it if you didn’t smoke in here.
Compare “I'd rather you rule” in a table for better understanding. (The subject is underlined in the examples).
Would rather / sooner + clause + past perfect subjunctive
This formula expresses preferences or desires about the past:
- I ' d rather you had done this work. “I would prefer you to do the job.
- What would you rather I had done? (what would you have preferred me to do?) - What would you like me to do?
Compare two sentences in the form of simple past and past perfect tense:
- I ' d sonner you picked her up after dinner. “I'd like you to pick her up after dinner.”
(This sentence is used and it refers to the present or the future).
- I ' d sooner you had picked her up after dinner. “I'd rather you pick her up after dinner.”
(There is also a proposal to refer to the past tense).
Watch a video of Vanessa telling her story using this expression.
Short Answers
We can use I'd rather not as a short answer to the question.
- Do you want to go out with me?
— I'd rather not, if you don’t mind.
Much rather
You can use the much quantifier with the would rather expression to express your preference more strongly. Much emphasizes in conversation:
- I ' d much rather studying to working in a factory. - I prefer to study than to work in a factory.
- I ' d much rather kiss him than hug him. “I'd rather kiss him than hug him.
Like
In English, you can also use the verb like to express what you like.
- Like-noun phrase
- I like Natalie but I don’t like her sister much. “I like Natalie, but her sister doesn't.
- I don’t like pasta. - I don't like pasta.
- He really likes the singing of Adriano Celentano. - He really likes the singing of Adriano Celentano.
- Like + -ing
- My kids like playing computer games. - My children love to play computer games.
- We like drinking water before breakfast. - We love to drink water before breakfast.
- Like + to-infinitive
- Pitter likes to paint in his spare time. - Peter loves to paint in his spare time.
- Do you think Anna would like us to bring some chocolates or wine? - Do you think Anna would like us to bring candy or wine?
- We don’t like to wash our hair every day. - We don't like washing our hair every day.
- Like + wh-clause
- We don’t like what she did. - We don't like what she did.
- I liked how you cooked the fish. - We liked the way you cooked the fish.
Would like expression
This construction is very common in English. “I would like to” is translated into Russian. We use this expression or abbreviation 'd like to say politely what we want, especially when making suggestions and requests.
- We ’ d like some chips, please. - We would like some chips, please.
After this construction is used.
- I ' d like to think about it. - I would like to think about it.
- I ' d like to see the manager. - I would like to see the manager.
Difference between Do you like ...? and Would you like ...?
To ask a person about preferences in general, the auxiliary verb do is used. Do not use Do you like ...? when we make an offer. Compare:
- Do you like buckwheat? - Do you like buckwheat? (Here we ask about preference in general).
- Would you like some buckwheat? - Would you like some buckwheat? (we offer some buckwheat).
- Do you like swimming? - Do you like swimming? (asking about preference in general).
- Would you like to swim? - Want to swim? (invite someone to swim).
’D like to have + -ed
When it comes to actions in the past that we have missed, the expression + + ending -ed is used:
- We ’ d like to have watched “Sherlock” but we had to do our homework. “We wanted to see Sherlock, but we had to do our homework.
And you can also use I’d like to as a short answer to an offer or invitation:
A: Rebecca, you must come with us!
B: Yes, I ' d like to.
A: Great. See you at five.
Difference between Would rather / Would prefer
As mentioned earlier, we use these expressions when we want to express our attitude towards something, that is, towards what we prefer more. These phrases are absolutely identical in meaning, but different in form. To understand this difference, take a look at two examples:
- I'd prefer to go by car. - I would prefer to go by car.
- I'd rather go by car. - I'd rather go by car.
The first sentence uses the particle to, while the second does not. This is the whole difference between expressions.
We've talked about preferences in this article, which is one of the most conversational requirements. Expand your vocabulary and use the rule in speaking.
Exercises
Taking the test after reading the basic rule will help you master it to the end.
Structure expresses advice
You had better take the coat. It's cold outside. - You'd better take a coat, it's cold outside
2. Somebody would rather (would sooner, had rather, had sooner) | do smth (not do smth).
Structure expresses preference
I "d rather go to the cinema tonight. - I'd rather go to the cinema tonight.
If the subject would rather and the next verb match, then the infinitive is used after this structure (the first form of the verb).
If the sentence refers to the past, then the perfect form of the infinitive (have gone) is used. I "d rather not have gone to the dinner party last night.
Smb would rather ("d rather) | smd did smth / smb had done smth
I "d rather Kate stayed with us tonight. - I'd rather Kate stay with us tonight.
If the subject would rather not coincide with the subject of the next verb, then the Present Subjunctive II form is used after this structure for actions related to the future and the present.
If the sentence refers to the past, then Past Subjunctive II (had + third form of the verb) is used. I "d rather Sam had not taken his father "s car yesterday.
3. If only smb (Oh, if smb, Oh, that) | did smth / had done smth.
The structure expresses desire in the present and regret in the past.
If only it were summer now! -If only now it was summer!
If only I had studied better at school! - If only I did better at school!
4. Smb wishes / wished, will wish | smb did smth.
The structure is used to express desire for the present or the future.
I wish I were ten years younger. -I would like to be ten years younger.
Smb. wishes / wished, will wish | smb had done smth
The structure is used to express regret for an action that has taken place in the past.
I wish I had not stolen the motorbike - I wish I didn't steal that bike (literal translation)
Wish I stole that motorcycle.
As a rule, such sentences are translated into Russian through "sorry", while negative ones change to positive, and positive to negative.
I wish / wished, will wish | somebody would do it / wouldn’t do it /.
The structure expresses a polite command, order; either the speaker's desire to change the situation or someone's behavior.
I wish you would pay more attention.- I would like you to pay more attention.
The structure is not used for actions related to the past; and if the subjects are the same in the sentence.
I wish you would have been more polite then.
I wish I would go to the USA.
5 It’s time (It’s high time, It’s about time) | smb did smth.
The structure expresses a wish, with a tinge of reproach.
It "s time you knew it. - It's time for you to know.
Used only with present and future tense.
Today we will talk about the word prefer, which is widely used both in oral and written speech in English. We use this verb to talk about our preferences and tastes.
In this article, you will learn when we use prefer and would prefer in English and how to construct sentences correctly with these words.
Use and translation of prefer in English
The word prefer is translated as "prefer". This verb expresses a person's preferences. With it, we say what we like. Moreover, we are talking about our constant tastes, that is, about what we always prefer, and not in any particular situation.
We use prefer when we say:
1. We like something / someone more than someone / something else
For example: She prefers cats to dogs.
He prefers blondes to brunettes.
He prefers blondes to brunettes.
They prefer coffee to tea.
They prefer coffee to tea.
2. We enjoy doing something more than doing another action.
For example: She prefers to play sports than watch TV.
She prefers speaking English to speaking French.
She prefers to speak English than French.
I prefer staying at home to going fishing.
I would rather stay at home than go fishing.
Affirmative sentences with prefer
Since we are talking about persistent preferences, we use Present Simple tense in the sentence. There are 3 kinds of how we can construct a sentence with this verb.
1. Compare two subjects
Actor+ prefer (s) + one thing + to + another thing
This is the pattern we use when we say we prefer one thing over the other. Since the sentence uses the Present Simple tense, then if we are talking about someone (he, she, it), then the ending -s is added to our prefer.
| I | ||||
| You | ||||
| We | prefer | coffee | tea | |
| They | dogs | to | cats | |
| She | pencils | pens | ||
| He | prefers | |||
| It |
We prefer fish to meat.
We prefer fish to meat.
He prefers serials to movies.
He prefers serials to films.
2. Compare the two actions
Actor+ prefer (s) + action with -ing ending + to + action with -ing ending
When we say that we would rather do something than do something else, we add the ending -ing to our action, indicating that this is a process.
| I | ||||
| You | ||||
| We | prefer | eating | drinking | |
| They | walking | to | driving | |
| She | reading | watching | ||
| He | prefers | |||
| It |
They prefer jogging to doing the exercises.
They prefer jogging than exercise.
She prefers washing the dishes to sweeping a floor.
She prefers washing dishes than sweeping floors.
Actor+ prefer (s) + to action + rather than + action
This construction is often used when talking about the same action, but different preferences. It allows you not to repeat this action twice in one sentence. For example, I would rather take a cold shower than (take) a hot shower.
| I | ||||
| You | ||||
| We | prefer | to eat sweets | (eat) vegetables | |
| They | to live in a flat | rather than | (live) in a house | |
| She | to watch horrors | (watch) comedy | ||
| He | prefers | |||
| It |
I prefer to read books rather than(read) magazines.
I prefer to read books than (read) magazines.
He prefers to sleep on a floor rather than(sleep) in a bed.
He prefers to sleep on the floor than (sleep) in a bed.
Interrogative sentences with the verb prefer in English
To ask the person what they prefer, we use the auxiliary verbs do / does depending on the person involved.
1. Compare two subjects
Do / does + character + prefer + one thing + to + another thing
| I | |||||
| you | |||||
| Do | we | coffee | tea? | ||
| they | prefer | dogs | to | cats? | |
| she | pencils | pens? | |||
| Does | he | ||||
| it |
Do you prefer apples to pears?
Do you prefer apples to pears?
Does she prefer roses to daisies?
Does she prefer roses to daisies?
2. Compare the two actions
Do / does + character + prefer + action with -ing ending + to + action with -ing ending
| I | |||||
| you | |||||
| Do | we | eating | drinking? | ||
| they | prefer | walking | to | driving? | |
| she | reading | watching? | |||
| Does | he | ||||
| it |
Do they prefer writing letters to calling a phone?
Do they prefer writing letters than making phone calls?
Does he prefer taking out the garbage to doing the laundry?
Does he prefer to take out the trash than to wash?
3. Comparing two actions and different objects
Do / does + character + prefer + to action + rather than + action
| I | |||||
| you | |||||
| Do | we | to eat sweets | (eat) vegetables? | ||
| they | prefer | to live in a flat | rather than | (live) in a house? | |
| she | to watch horrors | (watch) comedy? | |||
| Does | he | ||||
| it |
Do you prefer to drink milk rather than tea?
Do you prefer to drink milk than tea?
Does she prefer to work at home rather than at the office?
Does she prefer to work from home than in the office?
Using would prefer in English
We use would prefer most often when we are not talking about preferences in general, but about what you would prefer in specific situation... Also would make this phrase more polite. To construct a sentence with would prefer, we use the same constructs as with prefer.
1. Compare two subjects
Actor+ would prefer + one thing + to + another thing
I would prefer water to tea.
I would prefer water to tea.
She would prefer a backpack to a bag.
She would have preferred a backpack to a bag.
2. Compare the two actions
Actor+ would prefer + action with -ing ending + to + action with -ing ending
She would prefer reading the book to shopping.
She would rather read a book than go shopping.
They would prefer sleeping to working.
She would rather sleep than work.
3. Compare the two actions
Actor + would prefer + to action + rather than + action
We would prefer to eat at home rather than eat at the restaurant.
We would rather eat at home than in a restaurant.
He would prefer to dance alone rather than with her.
He would rather dance alone than with her.
So, today we figured out how to talk about your preferences in English using the verbs prefer and would prefer. Now let's consolidate theoretical knowledge in practice.
Assignment task
Translate the following sentences into English. Leave your answers in the comments.
1. She prefers to travel by train than to fly by plane.
2. We prefer to pay by card rather than cash.
3. Do you prefer red wine over white?
4. They prefer to live in the countryside than to live in the city.
5. He would rather watch football than fix TV.
6. She prefers skating than skiing?
7. They would prefer mineral water over juice.
8. Does he prefer hockey to football?
Sometimes the use of the expressions had better and would rather, as well as the verb prefer, is difficult, so let's figure it out. In short, the difference is:
Using the HAD BETTER Expression
We use the expression had better when expressing our opinion about what the other person should do, how the other should act. Such sentences are sometimes similar to advice.
You had better go and look with a candle. - Better go and look with a candle.
You had better apply to Lambert! “You'd better turn to Lambert.
Also, often in the sentence it is said about what can happen if the person does not do what you say:
She’d better get here soon or she’ll miss the opening ceremony. “She'd better hurry, or she’ll be late for the opening ceremony.”
Had better can also be used applied to yourself in expressions ‘ it would be better for me' or ' it would be better for us’:
I thought I had better come myself. “I thought I'd better come myself.
I think we had better change the subject before you get yourself overexcited. “I think it's best to change the subject before you get nervous.
Please note that we are using had better to talk about the present and the future without changing shape.
It's six o'clock. I'd better go now. - It's already six o'clock, I'd better leave now. (Present tense)
You had better not be here tomorrow. “You'd better get out of here before tomorrow! (Future)
To form a negation with had better, you must add not after the given expression:
I'd better not leave my bag there. “Better not to leave your backpack here.
For the formation of an interrogative sentence, Had is rendered before the subject.
Had I better speak to Jillian first? “Maybe I’d better talk to Gillian first?”
The synonyms for had better are modal verbs and.
Sometimes in colloquial speech instead of had better one can hear had best:
You ’D best come on Monday. There’s no one in the office now. - You'd better come on Monday. There is no one in the office now.
Use of the phrase WOULD RATHER.
We'll use would rather to express preference:
I'd rather have tea than coffee - I'd rather have tea than coffee.
I would rather leave. “I'd rather leave.
Instead of would rather, you can use would sooner (would rather = would sooner)
I would sooner come with you. I feel I must come with you. - I would rather go with you. I feel I must go with you.
Would rather be used only after I and WE... (We're talking about our preferences).
If using would rather you want to express a preference that concerns another person, then you need to use the following patterns:
Would rather + person + past tense (for present or future)
I would rather you didn’t tell anyone about our plans. - I would like you not to tell anyone about our plans.
Would rather + person + past perfect (for the past)
I would rather you hadn’t spent so much money last month - What a shame you spent so much money last month. (I'd rather you didn't waste them)
Using the verb PREFER
The verb prefer is synonymous with would rather, but remember how to use it correctly.
Prefer smth. to smth.
I prefer tea to coffee.
Prefer doing something to doing something
I prefer drinking tea to drinking coffee.
Prefer to do rather than (do)
I prefer to drink tea rather than (drink) coffee
Reinforce the rule again and start doing the exercises.
Had better // would rather // prefer exercises
The exercise 1 ... Complete the following sentences using HAD BETTER / ´D BETTER and HAD BETTER NOT and an appropriate expression from the following list.
|
take a sandwich, do that again, ask his friends if they know where he is, go to the doctor, book a table, leave now. |
- I have to be at school in ten minutes. __________
- You don’t look very well. You ________________
- I'm worried. Tom should have been here by now. I____________________________
- The restaurant is usually crowded. We________________________
- I won’t have time to go out for lunch. I ____________________________
- I was very angry with you. You ______________________
The exercise 2. Complete the dialogs using WOULD RATHER (´d rather) or WOULD RATHER NOT (’d rather not) and the following phrases.
have some hot chocolate, go to Italy, watch a film on TV, go by train, go to school today, say
Frank: Let’s go to London by car.
Dan: _______________________________________ (1)
Mikel: Do you prefer to go to Italy or France this summer?
Rachel: _______________________________________ (2)
Ron: What did Alice tell you?
Gil: _______________________________________ (3)
Liz: Do you feel like going to the movies this evening?
Rina: No, ____________________________________ (4)
Nora: What’s the matter?
Sheila: I don’t feel very well. _________________________ (5)
Vera: Would you like some coffee?
Simon: ________________________________________ (6)
Exercise # 3... Rewrite the following sentences using had better or would rather
- I don’t want to play chess. Let's play poker.
- It isn’t a good idea to invite him.
- I don’t want to go to a restaurant. I want to eat at home.
- Your nails are too long. You should trim them.
- If I were in your shoes, I would paint that wall yellow.
Exercise 4. Choose the correct answer.
1.You ………………………………… so much yesterday.
a) would rather I didn’t drink b) had better haven’t drunk
c) would rather drunk d) had better not drink
2. ‘Are the children sleepy?’ ’‘ Yes, they ……………………………………… ... to bed.
a) would rather went b) have rather go
c) had better go d) would rather have gone
3. You’d better …………………………………. talk to that man.
a) not to talk b) don’t talk
c) not talk d) didn’t talk
4. She’d rather ……………………………… than go to university.
a) work b) worked
c) to work d) have worked
5. I’d rather you ……………………… ... than went to university.
a) work b) to work
c) worked d) working
I’d rather you ………………………………… alone. It was a mistake.
a) lived b) live
c) have lived d) had lived
Answers to the exercises.
- I'd better leave now.
- You had better go to the doctor.
- I had better ask his friends if they know where he is.
- We had better book a table in advance.
- Had better take a sandwich.
- You had better not do that again.
- I would rather go by train.
- I would rather go to Italy.
- I would rather not say.
- I would rather watch a film on TV.
- I would rather not go to school today.
- I would rather have some hot chocolate.
- I would rather play poker.
- We had better not invite them
- I would rather eat at home.
- You had better trim your nails.
- You had better paint that wall yellow.
Exercise 4.1 d, 2 c, 3 c, 4 a, 5 c, 6 d
1. Deliver rather or better. Translate the sentences.
- We’d ____ stay inside until the rain stops.
- You’d ____ leave before it gets dark.
- I’d ____ you didn’t wear jeans in the office.
- I'd ____ stay hungry than have to eat that fish.
- You’d ____ not phone her now. She's probably putting her baby to bed.
- You’d ____ stay in bed today. You look pale.
- I'd ____ send an e-mail than write a letter.
- You’d ____ watch the steps.
- Can I borrow your camera? - I’d ____ you didn’t.
- He’d ____ give up smoking as soon as possible.
2. Put had better or had better not. Translate.
- Bob is very angry with her. She ____ do that again.
- You ____ touch my laptop again.
- We ____ study a bit harder.
- The restaurant is always crowded. We ____ book a table in advance.
- I have to be at the station in 15 minutes. I ____ leave right now.
- This is her first day at work. She ____ be late.
- You ____ drive carefully. You've already had some accidents this year.
- It's going to rain. We ____ take an umbrella.
3. Complete the sample sentences:
E.g .: I’ll go shopping if you really want me to, but ____. - I’ll go shopping if you really want me to, but I’d rather you went. (I'll go to the store if you feel like it, but I would like you to go.)
- I’ll spend the money if you really want me to, but I’d rather your dad ____.
- I’ll cook roast turkey if you really want me to, but I’d rather you ____.
- I’ll iron your shirt if you really want me to, but I’d rather Victor ____.
- I’ll take out the garbage if you really want me to, but I’d rather Mary ____.
- I’ll do the washing up if you really want me to, but I’d rather Tim ____.
4. Use would rather or would rather not. Translate.
- Kevin, let’s go to New York by train. - I ____ go by car.
- What did Mr. Jackson tell you? - I ____ tell you.
- Would you like a cup of tea? - I ____ have hot chocolate.
- Do you feel like going out tonight? - No, I ____ stay at home.
- I don’t feel quite well this morning. I ____ go to school today.
- I ____ die than apologize to you.
Answers:
- better (We'd better stay inside until the rain ends.)
- better (You'd better leave before it gets dark.)
- rather (I wish you weren't wearing jeans in the office.)
- rather (I'd rather stay hungry than eat that fish.)
- better (You better not call her now. She may be putting the baby to bed.)
- better (You better stay in bed today. You look pale.)
- rather (I'd rather send an email than write a regular one.)
- better (Better take a closer look at the stairs.)
- rather (Can I borrow your camera? - Better not.)
- better (He'd better quit smoking as soon as possible.)
- had better not (Bob is very angry with her. She better not do that anymore.)
- had better not (It's better if you don't touch my laptop anymore.)
- had better (We'd better do more.)
- had better (The restaurant is always full of people. We'd better book a table in advance.)
- had better (I need to be at the train station in 15 minutes. Better if I get out right now.)
- had better not (This is her first day at work. She shouldn't be late.)
- had better (You'd better drive carefully. You've had several accidents this year.)
- had better (It's going to rain. We'd better get an umbrella.)
- ... but I'd rather your dad spent it. (I’ll spend the money if you feel like it, but I’d like your father to spend it.)
- ... but I'd rather you cooked it. (I will cook a roast turkey if you feel like it, but I would like you to cook it.)
- ... but I'd rather Victor ironed it. (I'll iron the shirt if you feel like it, but I'd like Victor to iron it.)
- ... but I’d rather Mary took it out. (I'll take the trash out if you feel like it, but I would like Mary to take it out.)
- ... but I'd rather Tim did it. (I will wash the dishes if you feel like it, but I would like Tim to wash.)
- would rather (Kevin, went to New York by train. - I'd rather go by car.)
- would rather not (What did Mr. Jackson tell you? - I'd rather not say it.)
- would rather (Would you like a cup of tea? - I'd rather hot chocolate.)
- would rather (Do you want to go somewhere tonight? - No, I would rather stay at home.)
- would rather not (I don't feel well this morning. I'd rather not go to school today.)
- would rather (I'd rather die than apologize to you.)
